Diesel Spike, Petrol Nudge: Portugal’s Monday Pump Prices Climb Again

For anyone about to refill in Portugal, a modest uptick is waiting at the pump: diesel will average €1.717 per litre while petrol settles near €1.562. The adjustment, effective throughout the week, keeps the country among Western Europe’s costlier motoring destinations—despite ongoing tax breaks meant to cushion global price swings.

A Steeper Bill for the Weekly Commute

Long-term residents already know pump prices change every Monday, but this particular revision is striking because diesel—Portugal’s workhorse fuel—jumps by 2 cêntimos, the sharpest rise since midsummer. Petrol drivers face a 1.5 cêntimos bump, nudging the average from €1.547 on Friday to the new €1.562 mark. Even a short commute between Cascais and Lisbon could now cost roughly €0.30 extra per week for a compact car, a figure that climbs quickly for families planning a cross-country road trip.

Global Pressures Meet Local Margins

Behind the modest hike lies a cocktail of international forces. Brent crude futures have crept back above $66 after briefly dipping last week; traders blame a cautious OPEC+ output increase and renewed chatter about tighter sanctions on Russian exports. At the same time, European refiners are grappling with higher natural-gas bills, pushing their operating margins to levels not seen since early spring. A slightly stronger euro—EUR/USD gained 0.56 % over the past seven days—should have eased import costs, yet the refining squeeze and oil rebound proved stronger, tilting prices upward.

Tax Breaks Keep the Surge in Check—For Now

Motorists would be paying even more were it not for the government’s temporary relief on the Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos (ISP). The scheme, renewed several times since 2022, cuts the ISP and funnels extra VAT revenue back into lower pump prices. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento signalled the discount will shrink next year as Portugal “recomposes” its fuel-tax mix, but he insists the overall burden on consumers will stay flat thanks to a parallel carbon-levy reduction. Whether the policy endures into 2026 remains unclear; for now, the ACP’s forecast assumes the subsidy stays exactly as is.

Why Portugal Remains Costlier than Spain

Even after the current adjustments, Portuguese drivers still face roughly €0.20 more per litre of petrol than their Spanish neighbours, largely because of higher national taxes. Second-quarter data from the EU energy scoreboard showed Portugal holding the 9th-highest pump prices in the bloc, a ranking that is unlikely to change this month. Pre-tax, however, Portugal’s wholesale rates sit slightly below Spain’s, confirming that fiscal weight—rather than supply costs—is the main differentiator.

Road-Ready Advice for Newcomers

• Supermarket forecourts such as Continente and Intermarché typically undercut branded stations by 2–4 cêntimos.• Many toll roads still lack traditional service areas; plan refuelling stops near suburban retail parks to avoid paying resort-town premiums.• Keep an eye on the ERSE weekly bulletin for real-time price maps; the regulator’s site is available in English and can save expats both money and guesswork.

Whether you’re relocating for work or exploring Portugal by camper van, the latest numbers add just a few euros to a full tank—but they also highlight how quickly global oil dynamics, refinery costs and domestic taxes intertwine to shape everyday life on the road.