A large percentage of gas stations continues to be non-compliant, as 23.1% of pumps appear to “cheat,” according to the established study by the National Technical University of Athens on pump deviations in Attica and Thessaloniki.
According to the survey conducted at gas stations in Athens and Thessaloniki and presented today at an event of the Association of Petroleum Marketing Companies, deviations from the expected quantity in Attica reached up to 14.99%, whereas the corresponding percentage was 18.2% in 2025 and 24% in 2023. In the case of Thessaloniki, deviations reached 14% compared with 12.7% in 2025.
In six samplings, moreover, either “questionable” receipts were given, or more expensive fuel was supplied, or a pump was selected for the delivery.
In any case, the results show that although non-compliance in the Greek market may still be recorded at double-digit percentages, a significant reduction in deviations is being recorded compared with earlier surveys, according to the report presented by NTUA professor Fanis Zannikos, who was responsible for it.
Looking at the evolution over time of non-compliance at gas stations in Attica, from the levels of 20-21.5% in the 2020-2021 period, the percentage jumped to 33% in 2023, before beginning to decline to 23% in 2026.
“In the big picture, and if we see the glass as half full, progress is being recorded due to the tightening of the framework and the imposition of ever more fines; however, we must not become complacent,” said Giannis Aligizakis (photo), president of the Association of Petroleum Marketing Companies, who recalled that AADE has sealed 92 gas stations.
For his part, AADE governor Giorgos Pitsilis, who was present at the event, spoke of significant steps forward and a reversal of the trend, but acknowledged that there is still much to be done.
The survey concerned 200 fuel pumps, both company-owned and independent (130 in Attica and 70 in Thessaloniki), was conducted during the period March - April, and the fuel examined by the study was regular unleaded gasoline.
The sampling was covert and the fuel procurement was carried out with specially configured vehicles. The process compared the quantity requested and charged with the quantity ultimately received according to the issuance of the relevant document.
In the interview, Mr. Aligizanis also referred to the price cap imposed on fuels and the need for it to cease to exist, stressing that while the price of gasoline is moving 9% higher than pre-war levels, diesel, on the other hand, has returned to the levels it was at before the start of the conflict.