Drivers in Spain could save €300 a year by choosing these petrol stations

Families, commuters and summer travellers in Spain could cut hundreds of euros from their annual fuel bill by choosing cheaper petrol station chains, according to a new OCU comparison of more than 12,000 service stations. But the biggest savings depend heavily on where drivers live.

Why one petrol stop can quietly push up Spain’s yearly car costs

Fuel prices are already one of the car costs drivers in Spain feel most sharply. But a new comparison by the Organisation of Consumers and Users (OCU) suggests the difference between one petrol station chain and another could still be larger than many households realise, with some drivers able to save hundreds of euros a year by changing where they fill up.

The Spanish consumer association says choosing cheaper fuel chains can mean annual savings of up to €300 for petrol drivers and €250 for diesel drivers, compared with filling up at many of the larger, more expensive chains.

Fuel is no longer a small background expense for many households in Spain and across Europe. OCU says its annual family solvency study found that 45 per cent of people in Spain have serious difficulty meeting car-related costs, including fuel.

For British residents in Spain, workers who rely on a car, families driving between towns, and tourists renting vehicles for summer holidays, the difference is not just about finding a bargain for a quick refill. It can decide whether a weekly shop, airport run or weekend trip costs noticeably more than it needs to.

Which cheap fuel chains drivers should keep an eye on in Spain

OCU compared prices at more than 12,000 petrol stations across Spain and found that the cheapest chains were, unsurprisingly, not the biggest names on the roadside.

BonÀrea was named as the cheapest chain for both diesel and 95 petrol, although its stations are concentrated mainly in Cataluña and nearby areas. It was followed by Alcampo and low-cost self-service chain GM Oil.

OCU said filling up at BonÀrea, Alcampo and GM Oil could bring savings of more than 11 per cent on petrol and more than 10 per cent on diesel compared with many major chains.

The consumer group also highlighted AN Energéticos, Petroprix, Esclatoil, Plenenergy and Ballenoil as chains where drivers may find slightly smaller, but still worthwhile, savings.

At the other end of the ranking, OCU listed big names like Moeve, Repsol, Petronor, BP and Eni among the more expensive chains, along with IDS, Valcarce and Iberdoex. However, the group warned that loyalty cards, points schemes and discounts can change the final price paid.

Where cheaper petrol is easier to find across Spain

The size of the savings depends heavily on geography. A driver lucky enough to be in an area with several low-cost chains nearby has far more choice than someone in a province dominated by larger traditional operators.

OCU found the best chances of saving in Navarra, Teruel, Lleida and Barcelona, with the wider north-east of Spain benefiting from the presence of cheaper operators such as BonÀrea, AN Energéticos and Esclatoil.

By contrast, the consumer group pointed to Baleares, Palencia, Asturias and Ávila as more expensive areas, with petrol stations around 5 per cent dearer on average.

For drivers in rural Spain or on the islands, this is especially relevant. The nearest station may be chosen out of convenience rather than price. A cheaper brand ten minutes away may make sense for a planned weekly fill-up, but not for a small emergency top-up.

Canary Islands drivers may have a slight advantage

The Canary Islands are a special case. OCU notes that fuel prices are generally lower than on the peninsula because the islands apply the Canary Islands General Indirect Tax (IGIC), rather than mainland Spain’s Value Added Tax (IVA).

According to OCU, diesel prices in Canarias are around 11 per cent lower than on the peninsula, while petrol is around 6 per cent lower. Even there, the organisation said drivers can still save by choosing the cheapest chain, with Canary Oil again standing out in its ranking.

How to check prices before the next refill

OCU offers a petrol station calculator where drivers can search by postcode to find cheaper stations near home or work.

For live fuel prices, Spain’s official Geoportal Gasolineras and Ruta-e app can also be used to compare nearby stations.

With fuel still squeezing household budgets, many drivers in Spain are already thinking twice before filling up. OCU’s latest ranking suggests that checking nearby prices and chain names before a long journey, airport run or weekly refill could still leave more money in the monthly budget.