In Spain fuel prices continued to rise in the week covered by the EU Oil Bulletin published on 27 August. According to the Boletín Petrolero the average price per litre of Diesel was €1.861, while that of Benzin was €1.723. Compared with the previous week, this represents an increase of 1.8 per cent for diesel and 1.55 per cent for petrol. Prices have now risen for eight consecutive weeks, just as travel picks up for the late- Operación Retorno August holiday return period.
Since early July, when tax relief expired, prices have risen by around 23.7 per cent for diesel and 19.8 per cent for petrol. Spanish media have reported these cumulative changes, citing weekly EU data, and they are consistent with national price monitoring.
Political context: Under the Real Decreto-ley 18/2026 of 29 June 2026, the government adjusted parts of its aid package. In this context, the previously time-limited reduction in the VAT rate on certain fuels ended. The Boletín Oficial del Estado documents the measure and its deadlines. Industry sources say the end of the concession, together with international market conditions, contributed to higher prices for consumers. The fiscal effect is a domestic price factor; weekly fluctuations are also determined by purchase prices, refining margins, logistics and competition between filling stations.
International context: Persistent supply risks and geopolitical uncertainty pushed oil prices higher over the summer. Experience shows that such movements feed through to consumer prices in Member States with a delay and not in full. According to the Boletín Petrolero, Spain remains around the European average in the latest weekly figures, but mobility and transport costs are rising noticeably. Road freight, agriculture and fishing are particularly affected.
Attribution and data: The average prices quoted are based on weekly reports from Member States to the European Commission’s Boletín Petrolero. The tax change was published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado. Whether the series of increases continues will depend on future oil prices and possible new fiscal policy decisions; there are no reliable forecasts on this.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).