Why did Director Benoît Gaillard ask Comco for an investigation?

Gaillard noted that, after Etzelpark's arrival in Bellinzona, the other stations adjusted prices to the lowest level, creating suspicion of a cartel-like arrangement aimed at maintaining high margins. It then sent a letter to the Competition Commission to ask for verification of possible agreements between the operators.

What data did Gaillard attach to your request?

It provided 887,353 price changes recorded in 591 Swiss distributors between January 2024 and April 2026, showing that independent chains often change prices almost in unison with identical amounts.

What can frontiersmen do to protect their budgets from expensive fuels?

Border crossers should monitor station prices along the crossings, report any anomalies to Comco, use low-cost fuel cards, and employ our tax calculator and exchange comparator to assess the impact on net wages.

Competition Commission investigates expensive fuels in Ticino (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 29 July 2026

Councillor Benoît Gaillard raises suspicion of understandings on gasoline prices after Etzelpark's arrival in Bellinzona.

Context

Briefly

The Competition Commission (Comco) may open an investigation into possible cartel agreements between Swiss fuel stations.
In Bellinzona, Etzelpark has launched a tariff of around 20 cents per liter lower than its competitors.
Fuel prices in Switzerland now average around 2.15 euros per liter.

Key Facts

What: Suspected price agreements between operators in the fuel market.
When: Late June 2024 (Etzelpark opening) and analysis of data from January 2024 to April 2026.
Where: Bellinzona, Canton Ticino, and other 591 Swiss distributors.
Who: Socialist National Councillor Benoît Gaillard, Competition Commission (Comco), Etzelpark chain.
Amount: Reduction of around 20 cents per liter compared to adjacent stations.

National Councillor Benoît Gaillard, a socialist from Vaud, has asked the Competition Commission to verify whether there are cartel agreements in place. His concern arises from the arrival of the Swiss-German chain Etzelpark in Bellinzona in late June. Etzelpark has offered fuel at a significantly lower price – around 20 cents per liter less – than adjacent service stations. In the following days, the other stations have adjusted their prices to the lower level, creating the impression of a possible agreement.

"The facts that have occurred in Ticino raise the strong suspicion that there have been price agreements between the various operators in the market, with the aim of maintaining high margins," Gaillard wrote in the letter sent to Comco.

…

Operational details

Practical implications for border crossers

The rise in gasoline prices directly affects the commuting costs of border crossers who cross the Italian-Swiss border every day. An average increase of €2.15 per litre translates into an additional expenditure of about CHF 30 per month for those who travel 1,000 km per month, considering an average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km. This value, when compared to previous rates, highlights a significant impact on the domestic budget, especially for those who pay the tax at source in Switzerland.

Etzelpark's intervention showed how the entry of a new trader can exert downward pressure on prices, but the subsequent rise in prices suggests a possible coordination between existing players. For border crossers, the situation makes it more difficult to plan travel expenses, especially in a context of geopolitical volatility – such as the crisis in Iran – which has already caused increases of over ten cents per litre in recent days.

Although the Competition Commission has so far indicated that the fall in prices is not in itself evidence of market distortion, the suspicion of anti-competitive practices remains alive. Border crossers should monitor the prices of petrol stations along the main crossings – Brogeda, Chiasso and Gaggiolo – and compare the offers with those of Etzelpark. Constant comparison can help

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do specifically

1. Monitor fuel prices: check daily the tariffs at the main border crossings (Brogeda, Chiasso, Gaggiolo) through price comparison apps or websites of the stations. 2. Report anomalies: if you notice suspicious or synchronized price variations among multiple distributors, report it to the Competition Commission (Comco) through their online form. 3. Use the portal's tools: access our tax calculator to evaluate the impact of the withholding tax on your net salary and exchange rate for CHF/EUR. 4. Compare offers: evaluate the option of fuel cards or low-cost chain memberships such as Etzelpark, taking into account the long-term sustainability of prices. 5. Plan your budget: include your average monthly fuel expenditure in your family budget, considering any fluctuations due to geopolitical factors. 6. Stay informed: follow updates from Comco and industry associations for any announcements on ongoing investigations.

If the Commission confirms the existence of anti-competitive practices, it is likely that sanctions will be imposed or corrective measures will be introduced to ensure fair competition. In this case, border commuters may benefit from more balanced prices.

For those who want to delve deeper into the issue, we recommend consulting the "News" section of the site and using our tax calculator to understand how different scenarios of fuel prices affect your net income. Stay updated and act informed to protect your wallet.

💡 CTA: Try our tax calculator right away to see how fuel prices impact your net salary.

Source: tvsvizzera.it

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Director Benoît Gaillard ask Comco for an investigation?: Gaillard noted that, after Etzelpark's arrival in Bellinzona, the other stations adjusted prices to the lowest level, creating suspicion of a cartel-like arrangement aimed at maintaining high margins. It then sent a letter to the Competition Commission to ask for verification of possible agreements between the operators.
What data did Gaillard attach to your request?: It provided 887,353 price changes recorded in 591 Swiss distributors between January 2024 and April 2026, showing that independent chains often change prices almost in unison with identical amounts.
What can frontiersmen do to protect their budgets from expensive fuels?: Border crossers should monitor station prices along the crossings, report any anomalies to Comco, use low-cost fuel cards, and employ our tax calculator and exchange comparator to assess the impact on net wages.