Austrian Gas Station Charges Hundreds for Brief Stops Without Refueling

A gas station in Wöllersdorf-Steinabrückl, Lower Austria, has drawn attention for charging drivers hundreds of euros for stopping on its premises without purchasing fuel. The station, currently closed, prohibits even brief stops on its property.

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I stopped for exactly one minute and 28 seconds on that property.

Drivers have reported receiving hefty bills from lawyers for short stops. One individual, Jakob P., was charged 372 euros for stopping for just 1 minute and 28 seconds to retrieve water from his trunk. He was advised to ignore the letter and await potential legal action.

Another driver, Anita K., and her husband faced a similar situation after a brief stop on their motorcycles, receiving a second payment request with an installment option. Jakob P. described the lawyer's letters as aggressive, designed to prompt quick payment before people can fully assess the situation.

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The lawyer's letter is clearly formulated in a very aggressive tone, so that people pay quickly, before they have time to analyze the situation more closely.

The station's owner, Nikoll Bibaj, defended his actions, stating the land is private property and any stop, even to compare prices, is forbidden. He has since closed the station and plans to terminate his contract with the surveillance company at year's end. The local Chamber of Commerce advises affected individuals to seek legal counsel.

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The prices can be seen from the street.