- Heating oil has hit the Cretan market at a staggering €1.60 per liter—a massive leap compared to €1.10–€1.20 last year—while unleaded gasoline sits above €2.10 and diesel hovers at €2.10–€2.15.
- Gas station owners report that consumer demand has cratered, with households restricted to tiny emergency orders of €200 (yielding just 125 liters) because filling a tank is financially out of reach.
- Local fuel station association representative Stavros Koumoulas is urgently demanding a direct reduction in the Special Consumption Tax (EFK) and an earlier opening of the heating allowance platform.
- Current state measures promise 40¢/liter cuts on heating oil, 20¢ on diesel, and 10¢ on gasoline, along with a 30% boost to the heating allowance (capped at €1,560), with applications opening by November 10 and prepayments slated for December 23, 2026.
Crete is heading into winter with heating oil starting at around €1.60 per liter, and fuel retailers say consumers are already cutting back on orders because they cannot afford to fill their tanks.
The price is significantly higher than last year’s starting range of about €1.10–€1.20 per liter, putting further pressure on households already dealing with expensive fuel and everyday living costs.
Stavros Koumoulas, a fuel station operator who spoke to Radio 98.4, is calling for an immediate reduction in the Special Consumption Tax (EFK) and for heating assistance to reach households sooner.
His warning is blunt: the coming winter will be difficult, and some households may struggle to afford adequate heating.
€200 Buys Just 125 Liters
At €1.60 per liter, a €200 order buys just 125 liters of heating oil.
For a household that needs regular heating once temperatures fall, that quantity can disappear quickly.
Koumoulas says typical orders are now limited to around €200–€250, and consumers can’t afford the much larger orders needed to fill their tanks.
“The orders are minimal and consumer interest is limited,” he said, describing the situation facing the local market.
He argues that heating oil is not a luxury purchase. For households that depend on it, it is a basic necessity.
Petrol and Diesel Are Expensive Too
Heating oil is not the only fuel putting pressure on household budgets.
According to the cited market figures, unleaded petrol is selling for more than €2.10 per liter, while diesel is around €2.10–€2.15.
The combination is affecting both household budgets and businesses, with higher transport costs eventually feeding into the prices of goods and services.
Unlike a restaurant meal, you cannot exactly tell winter to hold off on the heating while you think about whether you can afford it.
Government Measures Are Coming
The government has announced measures intended to reduce fuel costs and increase heating assistance.
The announced reductions are expected to amount to:
- €0.40 per liter for heating oil
- €0.20 per liter for diesel
- €0.10 per liter for 95-octane unleaded petrol
The reductions are intended to be applied directly at the point of sale, without requiring an application or income-based eligibility.
The heating allowance is also increasing by 30%, with the maximum rising from €1,200 to €1,560.
The application platform is expected to open by November 10, with the first payment scheduled for December 23, 2026.
The additional cost of the measures is estimated at €98 million.
Retailers Want Help Earlier
Koumoulas argues that the measures need to reach consumers sooner.
He is calling for the heating allowance platform to open earlier, saying households should not have to wait until deep into winter to receive assistance they need to buy heating fuel.
Under the current timetable he describes, the first payment would arrive around Christmas, another around February, with part of the support potentially arriving after the heating season has already ended.
His criticism is simple: help that arrives after a household has already gone through the coldest part of winter does little when the heating bill is due today.
Retailers Call for a Cut in Fuel Tax
Koumoulas is also calling for a reduction in the Special Consumption Tax, arguing that it would provide consumers with more immediate relief.
He also questions reassessing fuel subsidies every two weeks, saying fluctuations in international fuel prices don’t necessarily reach consumers at the same speed.
Even when wholesale prices fall, he argues, the reduction can take time to move through the supply chain.
The Cost Goes Beyond the Fuel Tank
The issue is bigger than heating oil.
Higher fuel prices affect transportation, energy costs, and ultimately the prices consumers see in supermarkets and elsewhere.
For households already working with tight budgets, the result is a difficult choice between heating the home and finding money for other essentials.