Your car · Petrol and diesel

How to Fuel a Petrol or Diesel Car Across Europe

Checked 4 October 2026 on the operators', the standards body's and ADAC's own pages · skynomad

Filling with the wrong fuel is the costly mistake, and it is the easy one to avoid. The label inside your filler flap matches the label on the pump in every EU country, whatever the language on the forecourt.

The spare can is the other trap. ADAC puts the limit at 10 litres in most of Europe, but P&O Ferries and Irish Ferries refuse any spare fuel at all.

So read the flap, check the AdBlue and decide about the can before you leave.

Match the Label in the Filler Flap to the Pump

The labels follow one European standard, EN 16942, and the shape tells you the family:

The same label is inside the filler flap of new cars, on the pump and on the nozzle. If your car is older and has no label, the owner's manual says which petrol it takes.

E10 is the one UK drivers ask about. GOV.UK says every petrol car in production today can use it, and its checker covers older models by make.

Top Up the AdBlue Before You Leave

If your diesel uses AdBlue, a fluid in its own tank, keep an eye on it. When that tank runs empty, the engine will not start again. ADAC says the warnings begin at about 2,400 km.

AdBlue is sold at a growing number of car pumps and in 2 to 10 litre containers. ADAC puts a refill at every 5,000 to 15,000 km, so I'd fill the tank at home and carry nothing.

Leave the Spare Can at Home if You Cross by Ferry

The rules depend on the crossing, not the country:

LeShuttle turns away a car that does not comply, and says more than 10 litres may be charged excise duty.

Keep Any Can to 10 Litres on the Continent

ADAC's table of national limits puts most countries on this site at 10 litres in a can, and Switzerland at 25. Germany allows up to 60 litres a can, though ADAC itself advises no more than 10.

A can is for reaching the next pump, nothing more.

Motorhome Gas: Three Cylinders and 47 kg on the Ferries

Irish Ferries and Stena Line both take up to three gas cylinders, 47 kg in all, with the gas turned off at the cylinder. Brittany Ferries also allows three, 47 kg combined, for lighting, heating and cooking.

LeShuttle takes cylinders up to 47 kg, and 50 kg in all if there is more than one. They must be declared and switched off. A vehicle that runs on LPG, CNG or LNG cannot use LeShuttle at all.

Match the label, fill the AdBlue and leave the can behind unless your crossing allows it. Every rule on this page was read on the operator's, the standards body's or ADAC's own page on 4 October 2026.