In recent weeks, Spanish drivers have found themselves in a situation where fuel costs have become one of their main expenses. The reason lies in international events: after the US and Israel attacked Iran (Iran), Brent crude oil prices surged, leading to an immediate rise in the cost of gasoline and diesel throughout the country. For many families and businesses, this means rethinking usual routes and searching for new ways to save.
In some regions, fuel prices per liter have approached the two-euro mark, reminiscent of the price spikes seen after the war in Ukraine began. This time, the situation is compounded by ongoing uncertainty in global markets, making it difficult to predict what will happen next. According to RUSSPAIN, such fluctuations have already increased transportation costs for goods and services, which could affect prices in other sectors.
Finding the best fuel deals
With price differences between stations sometimes reaching several dozen cents, finding the cheapest station has become not just a matter of saving money, but a necessity. The OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios) has offered drivers a digital tool—a special tracker that allows real-time monitoring of fuel prices at various stations. The app is easy to install on your smartphone and gives access to an interactive map, where stations are color-coded: green for the cheapest, orange for average prices, and red for the most expensive.
Users can select a suitable gas station, check the exact price, distance, and even plan a route. For those who prefer not to install a new app, OCU offers a web version of the service. Just enter an address or postal code to get a list of nearby stations with up-to-date prices. The system also lets you filter results by fuel type, brand, and tank capacity.
Government measures
Amid rising prices, Spanish authorities are seeking ways to ease the impact on the population. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced plans to speed up the adoption of renewable energy through a new decree to reduce dependence on external factors. However, these measures take time, and for now, drivers must adapt to the new reality.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge supports its own digital service — Geoportal de Gasolineras. This platform updates price information every five minutes, as all stations are required to report any tariff changes. The service allows you to filter stations by fuel type, region, and other parameters, as well as track price trends over recent days.
Practical implications
The use of digital tools is becoming part of everyday life for many Spaniards. As the cost of commuting or goods delivery can shift daily, such services help people make more informed decisions. Some drivers have already changed their usual routes to refuel at more cost-effective stations, while companies are rethinking logistics to minimize expenses.
According to RUSSPAIN, similar fuel price spikes have occurred before — for example, after the start of the war in Ukraine or during the pandemic, when supply chains were disrupted. At those times, there was also a surge of interest in digital services for price monitoring and searching for alternative solutions. The situation is repeating now, but the tools have become more precise and user-friendly, enabling a quicker response to market changes.
In recent years, Spain has already experienced sharp fluctuations in fuel prices. In 2022, after the conflict began in Ukraine, gasoline and diesel prices reached historic highs, sparking mass protests among carriers and farmers. Authorities then introduced temporary subsidies and fuel discounts to ease the burden on the public. Similar measures were discussed in 2024, when the global oil market again came under pressure due to geopolitical risks. Each of these crises has driven the development of digital services and the search for new ways to save.
