Bornholm residents cross to Sweden to save on fuel

As fuel prices rise in Denmark, residents of Bornholm are travelling to Sweden to fill up, DR reports. The price difference can reach nearly six kroner per litre, according to figures from FDM and Circle K in Sweden.

A litre of petrol costs 17.89 kroner in Denmark, compared with about 11.74 kroner in Sweden. The same price difference applies to diesel.

More Bornholm residents are now waiting to refuel until they reach Ystad after travelling with the ferry service Bornholmslinjen. Carl Dyppel Frederiksen brought a 20 litre petrol can with him.

With the fuel he bought for his car and the extra petrol, he expects to save 500 kroner in total, he told DR.

Bornholmslinjen press chief Jesper Maack said passengers may bring a reserve fuel can of up to 25 litres, but must notify the vessel. No notification is required for cans holding five litres or less.

The lower Swedish fuel prices are due to a special European Union permission allowing the Swedish government to reduce fuel taxes. The Danish government has instead chosen to increase the mileage deduction.

Jens Jørgen Larsen from Kalundborg, who regularly travels through Sweden to visit family on Bornholm, said Danish politicians should consider following Sweden’s example. He said driving had become too expensive for ordinary Danes and noted that he does not receive a mileage deduction because he has only a short commute to work.