Slovakia is considering introducing regulations to set higher diesel prices at gas stations for foreign drivers or to limit their refueling, Prime Minister Robert Fico said today, as the government seeks to protect itself from fuel tourism.

Fico stated that representatives from the Slovnaft refinery, owned by the Hungarian oil and gas company MOL Group, informed the government that in some northern regions of the country, near Poland, lower diesel prices on the Slovak side of the border led to increased purchases. In some cases, as Fico said, “gas stations literally ran dry.”

Governments around the world fear a potential increase in fuel prices triggered by the war in Iran. In this context, Hungary imposed a cap on fuel prices, while Poland’s main refinery, Orlen, reduced its profit margins to limit the impact on consumers. Slovakia, for now, has avoided any measures, relying on self-regulation by sellers.

Fico noted that the government wants prices comparable to most neighboring countries, such as Poland, and lower than in Austria.