The Spanish government has approved new adjustments for road, rail, and maritime transport to mitigate the effects of fuel costs due to the war in the Middle East. These measures are in addition to those already approved, and among them, the aid of up to 20 cents per liter of professional diesel stands out.

The rise in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East sent the cost of living soaring in Catalonia and Spain in March, the first month with the war's effects, according to consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) data published this Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The European Commission has warned Spain that reducing VAT on fuels to 10%, as the government of Pedro Sánchez has done in the decree to alleviate the impact of the war in Iran on households, violates European rules. This was communicated in a letter sent to the Spanish government at the end of March, according to sources from the European executive told El País. "It is important to point out that the EU VAT directive does not provide for the possibility of applying a reduced rate to fuel supplies," the Commission explains, according to the Madrid newspaper. Poland, another country that has opted for the same path as Spain, has also received a similar letter.

The European Union is studying possible measures such as rationing fuel and releasing more oil from strategic reserves in the face of the risk of a "lasting" energy shock resulting from the war in the Middle East, European Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen assured this Friday in an interview with the British newspaper Financial Times. The bloc is evaluating "all options," according to Jørgensen, who warned that "energy prices will be higher for a long time."

The European Union is considering possible measures such as rationing fuel and releasing more oil from strategic reserves in the face of the risk of a "lasting" energy shock stemming from the war in the Middle East, European Commissioner for Energy Dan Jørgensen said this Friday in an interview with the British newspaperFinancial Times. The bloc is evaluating "all options", according to Jørgensen, who warned that "energy prices will be higher for a long time".

The announcement of the VAT reduction on fuels from 21% to 10% just over a week ago, decreed by the Spanish government, has not had the expected effects, according to the consumer association Facua. This extraordinary measure, intended to cushion the impact of rising crude oil prices due to the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has made it possible to reduce the price of fuel (diesel and gasoline) and move it away from two euros per liter, but it has not had the desired real impact on the pockets of final consumers, according to Rubén Sánchez, spokesperson for Facua.The consumer association estimates that one in every four petrol stations took advantage of the entry into force of the decree that reduces the price of VAT on fuels to apply a hidden price increase, and criticizes the refusal of Pedro Sánchez's executive to set price caps on fuel or limit the final commercial margin of petrol stations on the final price.  

The war in Iran and the resulting increase in energy costs have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has notably increased compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The war in Iran and the resulting energy price increase have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has become notably more expensive compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The armed conflict in Iran and the marked instability in the Persian Gulf region have driven up the price of crude oil worldwide. Just as happened in 2022 with the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the price of Brent crude (the global benchmark for oil prices) has soared above $100 a barrel, and this trend doesn't appear likely to change in the short term.

The Spanish government is working on a package of measures to address the economic consequences of the war in the Middle East, especially the surge in energy prices. Meanwhile, employers' associations, unions, and various sectors of the economy are already presenting them with different demands, some of which share a common denominator: a tax cut. In fact, following the round of political talks between the Ministry of the Presidency and the parties in Congress, this Thursday morning it is the turn of the major unions and employers' associations: CCOO, UGT, CEOE, and Cepyme will meet with the Spanish government's economic ministers at the Ministry of Economy.

The National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) will monitor fuel prices at gas stations to prevent abuses and disproportionate price increases amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Vice President Sara Aagesen announced this. The NewspaperShe sent a letter to the supervisory body entrusting it with this task. "It is important that the supervisory body be very vigilant so that consumers do not suffer any undesirable impact, beyond that caused by the energy markets themselves," noted the Minister for Ecological Transition. The US and Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory measures have caused a surge in the price of crude oil, which recently reached $117.

The rising price of oil as a consequence of the war in Iran This has quickly been passed on to fuel prices, which have skyrocketed in the last week. This is known as the rocket and feather effect, which states that when oil becomes more expensive, fuel prices rise rapidly, while when crude oil becomes cheaper, fuel prices fall slowly.

Fuel prices began 2026 continuing the downward trend that began in December, marking their fifth consecutive week of decline and accumulating a drop of almost 5%. Specifically, in the last week of 2025, the average price per liter of gasoline fell by 0.76% to €1.44, bringing the total decrease since the beginning of December to 3.29%, according to data from [source missing]. EU Oil Bulletin

The rise in oil prices in recent months, which led to higher gasoline and diesel prices, pushed up the cost of living for Catalan families in June, along with the prices of leisure and cultural services and hospitality and catering, which also increased due to the approaching summer season. However, the annual inflation rate in Catalonia was slightly lower than the Spanish average and stood at just 2%, the target level set by the European Central Bank (ECB).

Lower electricity and fuel prices halted the upward trend in the cost of living in Catalonia in March. Thus, prices for consumer goods and services for families remained flat on average between February and March, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).

The average price of fuel in Spain has risen this week by 1.35%, reaching new highs despite the fact that the increase is still contained by the mandatory 20-cent per litre rebate approved by the Spanish government.

Consumer rights association Facua has reported 230 petrol stations for increasing fuel prices by 5 cents or more on April 1, the day in which the 20-cent bonus approved by the Spanish government to lower fuel prices came into effect. In addition, the increase pointed out by the consumer organisation coincide with the part of the subsidy that companies had to pay (the Spanish government paid 15 cents on the litre and companies another 5 cents). In a statement released on Wednesday, Facua said that in the absence of a response from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, it has opted to go directly to regional consumer protection authorities, which have the power to impose penalties.

The price of fuel fell by more than 10% last week in Spain, according to data from the European Union Oil Bulletin published this Thursday, which reflect average prices at service stations throughout the State. The bulletin states the price of 95-octane gasoline stood at €1.61/litre, 11.2% less than last week's €1.81, while the price of automotive diesel was €1.54 per litre, 10% less than the €1.83 of the last week of March.

The Council of Ministers gave the green light to a series of measures to counter the economic shock, especially the upward spiral of energy prices – electricity and fuels – which the war in Ukraine has fuelled. However, the problem of rising prices had been dragging on for a long time because of the base effect – a year ago the scenario was completely different – as well as bottlenecks and problems with the supply chain.

Fuel prices have reached record highs driven by shortages caused by the recovery of the economy after the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. According to the European Union's Weekly Oil Bulletin, the price of 95-octane gasoline averaged €1.84 per litre in Spain, and the price of diesel jumped to a record-breaking €1.81 per litre.