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Switzerland is not bound by the EU’s “energy solidarity” rules. <\/p>\n
Keystone\/Claudio Thoma <\/p>\n
In the event of fuel and heating oil shortages, Switzerland can draw on compulsory stockpiles. It does not have to share these with other countries.\n<\/p>\n
This content was published on <\/p>\n
May 4, 2026 – 14:00\n<\/p>\n
Despite the ongoing war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, petrol and diesel continue to flow at Swiss petrol stations and planes are still taking off. The situation for kerosene, however, is tighter.<\/p>\n
According to the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES), supplies to Swiss airports are secure until the end of May 2026. If bottlenecks occur, the federal government can release fuel and heating oil from compulsory stockpiles (see infobox). <\/p>\n
Aviation fuel reserves below target <\/p>\n
If serious shortages emerge, the government can draw on mandatory stockpilesExternal link<\/a> managed by the private sector under federal supervision: national reserves of petrol, diesel and heating oil are designed to last four-and-a-half months, while kerosene stocks typically cover three months.<\/p>\n Owing to the ongoing war in Iran, kerosene is becoming scarce in Europe. A spokesperson for the Federal Office for National Economic Supply (FONES) has confirmed that kerosene reserves are currently below the prescribed level. The requirement for the range of the compulsory aviation fuel stockpiles is three months or 90 days of the average sales of the last three years at Swiss airports (i.e. excluding Basel).<\/p>\n According to FONES, the current range is 71 days \u201cor around two and a half months\u201d. The reason is a sharp rise in aviation fuel demand since the Covid-19 pandemic. As consumption increases, larger volumes must be added to compulsory stockpiles, often with a delay.<\/p>\n The required stockpile volumes are calculated based on average consumption over 2022, 2023 and 2024. Demand rose sharply in 2024, ahead of the outbreak of war, meaning reserves now must be built up in addition to regular supply.<\/p>\n According to FONES, this process can be slowed by looming supply bottlenecks, strong price fluctuations and shifts among importers. New importers typically have three years to fulfil their compulsory stockpile obligations. (Source: Keystone-SDA)<\/p>\n Unlike in European Union countries, however, what is stored in Switzerland is reserved exclusively for domestic use.<\/p>\n EU member states are bound by \u201cenergy solidarity\u201d rules. If, for example, an EU country runs short of aviation fuel, others \u2013 such as Germany \u2013 are legally obliged to help.<\/p>\n No energy solidarity with EU countries<\/p>\n Switzerland is not bound by these rules. \u201cSwitzerland is not a member of the EU and is therefore not bound by energy solidarity,\u201d says Nicole Mathys, head of the energy unit at FONES.<\/p>\n There is, however, one exception: a gas supply agreement between Switzerland, Italy and Germany. In the event of a gas shortage, mutual solidarity can be invoked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe focus there is on supplying protected customers with gas \u2013 these include households, hospitals or emergency services, for example,\u201d says Mathys.<\/p>\n >>A look at the economic consequences of the war in Iran on Swiss households:<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Energy transition\n <\/p>\n How the war in Iran is affecting Swiss consumers <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Apr 30, 2026 <\/p>\n Two months of war in Iran have sent shockwaves through global energy markets and economies. Switzerland has so far escaped the worst \u2013 but the fallout is starting to be felt. <\/p>\n![\"Aviation](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/708948610_highres.jpg\")
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