Border towns in Poland, particularly in the northwestern city of Świnoujście near the German border, have reported significant fuel shortages. This issue has arisen mainly due to what is termed ‘fuel tourism', where drivers from Germany and other countries come to Poland for cheaper fuel prices, leading to long queues at gas stations. Reports suggest that there are instances where fuel supplies have run out entirely at several stations in the area, largely due to the increased demand from foreign drivers filling their tanks.

The situation is exacerbated by price differences between Poland and Germany; for instance, each liter of fuel in Poland is approximately two zlotys (about 0.47 euros) cheaper than in Germany. This price gap has motivated many German drivers to travel across the border, benefiting from the significant savings. Local authorities like Mayor Joanna Agatowska of Świnoujście have voiced concerns over this trend, urging gas stations to monitor and potentially limit the amount of fuel sold to foreign drivers.

In response to this crisis, local officials are also looking to tighten regulations involving border crossing and customs, indicating that measures might be implemented to restrict the quantity of fuel an individual can purchase when crossing the border. These steps are intended to manage resources better and ensure local residents have adequate access to fuel, despite the growing demands from external sources.