Just across Belgium’s southern border, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has always been a stock-up destination for Belgians. Despite being a generally expensive place to live, shops just over the border sell cigarettes for around €2 cheaper per pack, beer for up to €1.50 cheaper, and increasingly relevant, fuel at some of the lowest prices in the region.

    Compared to the Belgian average of €1.83 a litre (as of 16 May) for 95 petrol, fuel in Luxembourg is up to 19 cents per litre cheaper. In these times of high energy prices, skyrocketing inflation, and declining purchasing power, fuel tourism is often worth the journey for those living in the south of Belgium.

    Unlike Belgium, Luxembourg has both an extremely low amount of cars on its road and nominal taxes on fuel. Before the global energy crisis, fuel in Luxembourg was even cheaper. In recent months, the price of petrol has risen by around 16%, for diesel by 24%.

    Belgian newspaper l’Avenir states that some Belgians are now filling up jerry cans to stockpile fuel at cheaper prices. Shopkeepers told the newspaper that Belgians were still too scared to fully fill their vehicles due to the rollercoaster prices, instead preferring to fill up with smaller volumes.