Discount on fuel prices start tomorrow in Spain, and this is how it will work

The 20-cent discount on a litre of fuel will start being applied tomorrow, Friday 1st April, because the Spanish government has given it an automatic go ahead without having to wait until the decree receives formal ratification in Parliament.

Prices on the pumps will stay the same as the discount will be applied and shown when you pay, as, according to the Minister of Ecological Transition, Teresa Ribera, the receipt should show the price paid by the consumer and itemise the discount.

In other words, it should specify how much of the discount has been paid by the State (15 cents per litre) and how much by the oil companies (five cents per litre).

Ribera also said that measures are being put into effect to prevent petrol stations from putting their prices up before this starts to take place, and then applying the discount. There will be a mechanism through which they must officially communicate any price increase, so that the authorities “can ensure compliance”.

The discount, which has been welcomed by individuals and businesses alike, is part of a Shock Plan to alleviate the impact on prices resulting from the war in Ukraine.

Together with other measures to help the transport sector, it was enough to persuade the majority of those taking part in the strike, which began three weeks ago, to return to work on Monday.