Spain Easter 2026: Fuel Prices and How to Find the Cheapest Gas Stations

As the 2026 Semana Santa holiday period concludes on April 5, 2026, a significant number of travelers are returning to their homes across Spain. This return journey, known as Operación Retorno, is coinciding with a period of fluctuating fuel costs that continue to impact drivers despite government efforts to stabilize prices.

The highest volume of traffic is concentrated on the afternoon of Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, as many people depart their holiday destinations. While some autonomous communities maintain Easter Monday as a non-working day, the majority of the population is utilizing the primary road networks to return home.

Current Fuel Price Trends

Fuel costs remain a primary concern for motorists during the return trip. Although anti-crisis measures have been implemented to reduce the VAT on gasoline and diesel—which previously saw prices exceed 2 euros per liter—costs remain elevated compared to levels seen before the conflict between the United States and Iran.

On April 5, 2026, both gasoline and diesel experienced a slight increase in price. The average price for unleaded 95 gasoline across the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands is 1.567 €/l. Unleaded 98 gasoline is averaging 1.719 €/l, while Gasóleo A (standard diesel) is priced at an average of 1.832 €/l.

Regional disparities in pricing are significant. The province of Bizkaia currently records the highest average price for diesel at 1.934 €/l. For unleaded 95 gasoline, the highest average price is found in Barcelona at 1.605 €/l, and the highest price for unleaded 98 gasoline is in Toledo at 1.759 €/l.

Utilizing the Official Price Search Tool

To mitigate these costs, drivers can utilize the Geoportal de Gasolineras, a search tool managed by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. This platform provides near real-time pricing data because gas stations are required to report any tariff changes.

The tool allows users to identify the most economical stations near their current location or their place of residence. To find the cheapest fuel, users should follow these steps on the portal:

• Select Estaciones de servicio (Service Stations) as the search type.
• Filter by province, locality, and postal code.
• Specify the required fuel type, such as gasoline 95, gasoline 98, Gasóleo A, LPG, natural gas, or hydrogen.
• Activate the Venta al público (Public Sale) option.

Once these filters are applied, the system generates an ordered list of prices, enabling drivers to locate the cheapest refueling point in their vicinity.

Market Dynamics and Cost Savings

The variation in fuel prices across Spain is largely due to the deregulated nature of the market. While all fuel is sourced from the same national distribution network, Exolum, individual stations apply different profit margins and additives.

Low-cost independent stations, such as Petroprix, Ballenoil, and Plenoil, often operate automated, unstaffed sites to reduce operational overhead and pass those savings to the consumer. In contrast, premium branded stations typically charge higher prices to cover loyalty programs, staffed service, and premium additives.

The financial impact of these price differences is substantial for the average driver. Data indicates that prices can vary by up to 0.20 €/l within a single city. For a typical Spanish driver using approximately 1,200 liters of fuel annually, a difference of 0.25 €/l between a premium station and a low-cost alternative can result in an annual expenditure increase of 300 euros.

Current real-time data as of April 5, 2026, shows the national average for SP95 at 1.560 €, SP98 at 1.704 €, Diesel at 1.815 €, and GPL at 0.931 €. The cheapest diesel price in the country is currently found at Disa stations, with rates as low as 1.537 €, while the most expensive diesel prices reach 2.099 €.

Additional reports indicate that the cheapest diesel station in Spain is located in Vélez-Rubio, Almería.