Latest news and stories about fuel prices in Portugal for expats and residents.
This Monday is marked by fuel prices, which are rising again. Sá Carneiro Airport celebrates its 80th anniversary at a time when the Government is set to begin work on studying its expansion. Also within the country, the deadline for submitting applications for external parliamentary bodies comes to an end. Labour legislation...
Diesel prices increase by eight cents per litre this Monday and petrol by seven cents, with government discounts applied. Last year, approximately four billion litres of road diesel were consumed.
Portugal is facing another sharp rise in fuel prices this Monday, March 16, due to the national market practice of weekly price updates by major oil companies. Since February 27, the eve of the war with Iran, the average price of diesel in Portugal has risen by nearly 20% and petrol by 10%, despite state subsidies. While global oil prices have surged by 40% due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing regional conflicts, other European countries are managing the volatility differently. Malta, for instance, maintains government-administered, fixed prices that have remained unchanged, shielding consumers from the current crisis. Meanwhile, countries like Germany and France update prices daily, and others like Croatia and Slovenia use fortnightly caps to mitigate fluctuations.
Journalist Hugo Neutel, from Jornal de Negócios, explains the new fuel price increase and the impact it will have when filling the tank.
Fuel prices continue to climb, with the conflict in the Middle East cited as the reason.
This increase occurs in a context of strong geopolitical tension in the Middle East, with oil prices pressured by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Fuel prices are expected to increase once more starting tomorrow morning.
The article reports that Portuguese citizens are now calmly accepting the rise in fuel prices, with no significant queues or protests observed. This shift indicates a level of adaptation or resignation among the population regarding the fuel cost increase. The coverage also highlights various local community events and initiatives in Famalicão, such as a cancer patient seeking financial help, local sports achievements, religious processions, and community walks, reflecting active civic engagement despite economic concerns.
Infraestruturas de Portugal resolveu mais de 90% dos cortes de estradas no país, contribuindo para a melhoria da mobilidade. Além disso, o Hospital de Loures abrirá sua primeira urgência regional na próxima segunda-feira, ampliando o acesso a serviços de emergência na região. No setor econômico, há destaque para a necessidade de atestar combustíveis, que mesmo com descontos, podem encarecer os preços a partir de amanhã. No âmbito político, José Luís Carneiro foi reeleito líder do Partido Socialista, sendo o mais votado na Assembleia da República. Internacionalmente, há tensões no Médio Oriente com Israel lançando nova ofensiva e Tóquio considerando o envio de navios. Essas ações refletem o cenário de melhorias na infraestrutura e saúde em Portugal, além de questões políticas e econômicas relevantes.
The leader of the Socialist Party (PS) is urging the government to take action as fuel costs continue to increase.
The BE/Azores stated today that it will present an urgent legislative initiative in the regional parliament to prevent fuel price increases in the region, due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Iran threatened this Saturday, March 14, to attack oil and gas infrastructure of companies cooperating with the US in the region should Donald Trump order an attack on Iranian oil facilities on Kharg Island. Trump has already revealed that US forces carried out an airstrike on the small Iranian island in the northern Persian Gulf on Friday, but focused on military targets. However, the US President did not rule out the possibility of action against Iran's oil infrastructure in Kharg. He even threatened to proceed if Iran blocks the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Kharg Island is of crucial importance to Iran. Despite its small size (about eight kilometres long), it is the export terminal for 90% of Iran's oil shipments. The island's infrastructure has the capacity to load about seven million barrels per day. Up to ten supertankers can dock in the territory simultaneously. Just two weeks ago - the American-Israeli war against Iran began on February 28 - about 1.7 million barrels of crude oil were leaving the island per day, mostly destined for China. An attack on Kharg's oil infrastructure would have consequences for the escalation of oil prices, which reached their highest value in four years on Friday. Since the beginning of the war, the island has ensured the export of 13.7 million barrels of oil. Diesel increases by about ten cents and petrol by 10.3 cents next Monday. War with Iran enters a decisive phase and will last as long as “necessary”, says Israel.
The new increase in fuel prices is generating even more concern and a great deal of uncertainty regarding the future. Business owners and consumers fear serious consequences. The new rise on Monday is leading many Portuguese people to fill up their tanks this weekend.
The war in the Middle East has triggered a new rise in fuel prices. Next week, standard diesel will increase by about ten cents per litre and 95-octane petrol will rise by 10.3 cents. To mitigate the impact on consumers, the Government has approved new extraordinary reductions in the tax on petroleum and energy products (ISP) for mainland Portugal. Prime Minister Montenegro admits further measures may be taken. From Monday, the average price of 95-octane petrol is expected to reach 1.883 euros per litre, while standard diesel will rise to 1.937 euros per litre. These forecasts are based on current data from the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology and projections from the National Association of Fuel Retailers. The Ministry of Finance stated that, combined with previous discounts, customers will save 6.1 cents on diesel and 3.3 cents on petrol compared to prices from the week of 2-6 March. The price increases follow a surge in Brent crude oil prices, which rose over 9% to 100.46 dollars per barrel on Thursday, the highest value since 2022, driven by Iranian statements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
The heads of ANTRAM and ANTROP reveal that fuel has become an increasingly large expense for companies. Furthermore, Tehran warns that it may strike the United Arab Emirates in retaliation.
Sónia Ferreira (ANTROP) states that the increase in fuel prices represents a 6% cost increase for companies. André Matias de Almeida (ANTRAM) describes the situation as serious and calls for European responses.
Next week, diesel will increase by 18.7 cents per litre and petrol by 7.2.
Brent crude oil prices have surged over 42% since the onset of the Middle East conflict, with an 11% increase recorded in the past week alone, reaching $103.14.
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has promised to use regulatory power to prevent fuel price speculation as costs at some stations again exceed two euros per liter. Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that while the market is tense, Portugal has not yet reached an 'energy emergency' that would trigger more drastic measures. Drivers should note that the government plans to release 10% of strategic oil reserves to help stabilize the market, though taxi federations are already requesting extraordinary support.
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Energy Minister, is a Portuguese engineer and politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) who has served as a Member of the European Parliament and held government roles connected to science and higher education policy. Her work on research and EU policy can affect funding and regulation that matter to professionals and students living in Portugal.
Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that fuel prices (preços dos combustíveis) could decrease next week if international Brent crude prices remain low through Friday. The government is monitoring the impact of the Middle East conflict on energy costs and is prepared to offer tax relief via the tax on petroleum products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos or ISP). Drivers should note that a discount applies if prices rise by more than 10 cents.
Update: Portugal to release 10% of strategic oil reserves
Prime Minister Luís Montenegro announced that Portugal will release two million barrels of oil—roughly 10% of its strategic reserves—to help stabilize fuel prices. This move follows an International Energy Agency agreement to release 400 million barrels globally due to supply risks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Energy Minister, is a Portuguese engineer and politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party (PSD) who has served as a Member of the European Parliament and held government roles connected to science and higher education policy. Her work on research and EU policy can affect funding and regulation that matter to professionals and students living in Portugal.
The ISP is Portugal's excise tax on fuels — the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre Produtos Petrolíferos e Energéticos) — charged as a unit rate per litre on petrol, diesel and other fuels. The government sets and can temporarily cut those unit rates; a recent decision to reduce the rate for road diesel on the mainland aims to lower pump prices and reduce transport costs for drivers and businesses, though it also lowers tax revenue.
Luís Filipe Montenegro Cardoso de Morais Esteves (born February 16, 1973, in Porto) is a Portuguese lawyer and center‑right politician who has served as Prime Minister of Portugal since April 2, 2024. A long‑time member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), he is the leading figure of the post‑Troika generation of Portuguese conservatives. Montenegro was elected to the Assembly of the Republic in 2002 for the Aveiro district and remained an MP for 16 years, becoming PSD parliamentary leader from 2011 to 2017 during the bailout and austerity period under Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho. He was a prominent defender of strict austerity measures, arguing in 2014 that “the life of the people is no better, but the life of the country is a lot better,” a phrase that has followed his public image since. After an unsuccessful leadership bid against Rui Rio in 2020, Montenegro won the PSD leadership in 2022. He then forged the centre‑right Democratic Alliance (PSD–CDS‑PP and allies), which won a plurality of seats in the 2024 legislative election. Refusing to partner with the far‑right Chega, which he has called “often xenophobic, racist, populist and excessively demagogic,” he formed a minority government as head of the XXIV Constitutional Government on April 2, 2024. His first government fell in March 2025 after a no‑confidence vote linked to a conflict‑of‑interest affair, but fresh elections saw the Democratic Alliance increase its seat share, allowing Montenegro to return as prime minister leading the XXV Constitutional Government. His importance to Portugal lies in attempting to re‑center the traditional centre‑right after the crisis years, defending liberal‑conservative economics and EU alignment while drawing a sharp line against formal cooperation with the radical right, thus shaping how Portuguese democracy manages its new multi‑party era.
The government is confident that the European Commission will not oppose its temporary discount on the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (Imposto sobre os Produtos Petrolíferos or ISP) for diesel. Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento stated that the measure is extraordinary and temporary, designed to mitigate the impact of high energy prices caused by conflict in the Middle East. Drivers should note that the discount is intended to provide immediate relief at the pump while the government monitors international oil market volatility. The tax relief remains a key part of the national strategy to manage rising living costs.
The Government currently perceives the rise in fuel prices as a significant but potentially temporary issue, despite immediate impacts on consumers. An editorial by Marta Moitinho Oliveira discusses the rush of drivers to petrol stations in anticipation of price hikes due to geopolitical tensions, particularly American attacks in Iran. While the government has implemented a discount to mitigate the increase in diesel prices, consumers will still face higher costs for petrol. The situation has led to record high fuel prices in Portugal, raising concerns among the public.
Fuel prices are set to rise sharply due to the ongoing war in the Persian Gulf, with diesel expected to increase by 19.5 cents and petrol by 8 cents per litre on Monday. The rise in Brent prices, driven by the coordinated attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, has quickly impacted petrol stations in Portugal. Diesel is seeing a larger increase compared to petrol, prompting oil companies to boost stocks at service stations in anticipation of a surge in demand before the price hikes take effect.
Fuel prices are anticipated to increase next week due to ongoing global economic impacts stemming from current conflicts, which are already reflected in rising oil prices.
Update: Continued Economic Impact on Fuel Prices The rise in fuel prices is now expected to be more pronounced as analysts predict that the ongoing conflicts will further disrupt supply chains, leading to even higher costs for consumers in the coming weeks.
According to ACP data for the coming week, petrol (gasoline) will rise by one cent per litre while standard diesel remains unchanged at €1.586/litre from Monday. The small petrol increase and the stable diesel price suggest only a marginal immediate impact on motorists’ budgets, though the divergence points to short-term differences in market pressures (refining margins, crude-oil movements and distribution costs) affecting petrol and diesel independently.
Fuel prices are due to change, but the impact for drivers will vary by station. Final consumer prices depend on wholesale fuel costs, taxes and policy decisions, distribution and retail margins, and regional competition — so timing and magnitude of changes will differ locally. Motorists should monitor local stations and official announcements to see when price shifts take effect and how large they will be.
Galp and Moeve have entered detailed talks to combine their refining operations and filling-station networks, a complex transaction that is likely to be lengthy and closely scrutinised. The Portuguese Communist Party has already criticised the proposed deal and the government will have a role in the approval process, raising political as well as regulatory stakes. The transaction will test Brussels’ evolving approach to competition and regulation in the energy sector, with implications for pricing, investment and market structure in Portugal.
