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Drivers prefer to travel to Bulgaria and Macedonia to fill their tanks since the difference in gasoline prices after the increase of consumption tax is about 50 cents per liter. The Greek state is losing  € 1 million every weekend, because thousands of cars from northern Greece go mainly to Bulgaria to fuel.

Gasoline consumption at the Greek gas stations decreased over 30% this year. About 500-600 stations have closed, most of them in Attica area - more than 60, and anothers 1000 are going to close. These data were submitted yesterday at a press conference of the Hellenic Federation of Fuel Traders. According to them the increase in taxes has led to a price jump of about 41 cents per liter. Greece would lose about € 50 million annually if drivers continue to illegally import canisters of gasoline from Bulgaria.

Northern Greece suffers most of this problem. The situation in Kilkis area is indicative as 22 of the 98 gas stations closed and the consumption in the remaining decreased by 50%. Greek drivers had bought 150,000 liters of gasoline from stations in Macedonia, north of Ormenio, only in the last weekend. This means that Greece lost € 150,000 in taxes for a weekend. The proposal is to take measures and offer tax stimulations for consumers living in the border areas not to go abroad and buy gasoline there, and to increase the control over the fuel illegally imported from abroad.