Major relief for Spain drivers as France-style fuel crisis ruled out

Worrying about running out of petrol is no small concern when you live in Spain. For families, the car can be the difference between getting the children to school on time or being stuck at home, while for workers and retirees alike it can be essential for everything from the daily commute to supermarket trips, medical appointments and airport runs.

That is why reports of fuel shortages in France are likely to have caught the attention of British expats and other international residents across Spain.

But there is reassuring news for drivers here.

Spain’s major fuel companies have ruled out a French-style petrol shortage in the short term, despite continuing pressure on fuel supplies and rising prices across Europe.

Spain is better prepared for fuel shortages

Around 1,500 petrol stations in France, equivalent to about 15 per cent of the country’s total, have recently reported shortages of petrol or diesel.

The situation has been worsened by consumers rushing to fill their tanks amid fears that supplies could run out, creating further pressure on already stretched stocks.

Spain’s fuel industry says the situation is different.

The Association of the Fuel Industry of Spain (AICE), which represents the country’s major operators, says Spain has a strong refining system and significant investment has been made by companies including Repsol, Cepsa, BP and Galp to increase capacity.

Spain is now among the leading refining countries in the European Union, according to industry representatives.

That means British residents living in Spain should not currently expect to see the kind of widespread petrol station shortages being experienced across the border in France.

What does this mean for expats in Spain?

For people who have made Spain their home, fuel availability is about far more than the price displayed on a petrol station forecourt.

Many expat families live outside major towns and cities, where driving is often essential for school runs, shopping and work.

On the islands and in rural parts of mainland Spain, a car can also be vital for reaching airports, hospitals, beaches, government offices and neighbouring towns.

A shortage could therefore have a much wider impact on everyday life.

For now, however, the message from Spain’s fuel industry is that drivers should not expect a French-style supply crisis unless the wider geopolitical situation deteriorates significantly.

Spain also relies less heavily on crude oil from the Gulf region than might be assumed. Official figures show that less than 11 per cent of the crude imported by Spain in 2025 came from the Persian Gulf, while the figure was just 4.3 per cent in July, the latest month for which data is available.

The bigger worry is the price at the pump

While shortages are not currently expected, there is another issue that could hit household budgets: how much it costs to fill the tank.

Petrol prices have risen for eleven consecutive weeks, according to the latest reports, while the government is preparing its next package of measures as existing fuel support is due to expire.

The current measures are scheduled to end on October 1. Diesel has been receiving a 20-cent-per-litre tax reduction, while petrol has benefited from a five-cent reduction. The future of those measures will depend on the new package being prepared by the Spanish Government.

Spain’s energy sector has also warned that high prices could continue into the winter, particularly for diesel, gas and aviation fuel.

Should drivers in Spain panic-buy petrol?

There is currently no indication that motorists in Spain need to stockpile fuel.

Industry representatives say the country is considerably better positioned than France to cope with the present supply pressures, although they acknowledge that the international situation remains uncertain.

For expats, that means the immediate concern is more likely to be the cost of keeping the car on the road rather than whether there will be petrol available at all.

And with October approaching, that distinction could matter considerably for families already watching household budgets.

For now, Spanish drivers can continue filling up as normal, without the queues and empty pumps being seen at some French stations. But with the geopolitical situation continuing to put pressure on global fuel supplies, the price of that everyday freedom to drive remains one to watch.