Fuel prices in Spain: a guide for UK drivers
Published - 4 min read
What UK drivers should know about filling up in Spain: fuel names at the pump, self-service and paying first, where it is cheaper and finding live Spanish prices.
Before you go
Spain is one of the most popular places for UK drivers to take their own car, whether through France or on a ferry, and plenty of visitors hire a car when they land. Filling up is straightforward, but the names on the pumps and the way you pay can be different from home. A few minutes of planning helps you avoid mistakes and pay a fair price.
Fuel names at Spanish pumps
- Gasolina 95 (sometimes Sin Plomo 95): standard unleaded petrol.
- Gasolina 98 (or Sin Plomo 98): higher-octane unleaded, similar to super unleaded in the UK.
- Gasóleo A or Diésel: diesel for cars and vans. Some stations also sell a premium diesel with a brand name.
- Gasóleo B: diesel for farm and other off-road machinery. It isn't for road cars, so don't use it.
Like the UK, Spanish pumps also carry the EU labels, such as E5, E10 and B7. A circle means petrol and a square means diesel. Our guide to fuel pump labels explains what they mean. If you're in a hire car, check the fuel type on the filler cap or the rental paperwork before you fill up.
Self-service and paying
Many Spanish forecourts are self-service (autoservicio), though some still have staff who fill up for you. At some stations, especially at night, you pay first: you tell the cashier or the machine your pump number and how much you want, then fill up. If you put in less than you paid for, ask at the till about the difference.
Unstaffed pumps don't always accept every foreign card. Carry a backup card, and don't leave filling up until the tank is nearly empty late at night or in a remote area.
Where to fill up
As in the UK and France, motorway service areas usually charge more than forecourts in nearby towns. Stations at supermarkets and hypermarkets are often among the cheapest, and independent forecourts can be good value too. Prices can also vary a lot between regions and between the city and the countryside, so it pays to compare before you set off.
Some Spanish motorways (autopistas) charge tolls and others (autovías) don't, so check your route if you're trying to keep costs down.
Live Spanish prices
Spain's government publishes official fuel prices for forecourts across the country. You can see live prices near Spanish towns on Pennyfill's Spain page, along with France and Germany.
Fill up before you leave the UK
If you're driving down, it's worth starting with a full tank bought at a fair price. Pennyfill's free map shows prices from the official UK Government Fuel Finder data, updated twice a day, with no account or adverts. Find cheap fuel near you or on the way to the port, and use the fuel cost calculator to budget for the whole trip.