Fuel costs: should drivers fill up tank across the border outside of France?
Fuel prices have risen globally but some countries less affected than others
Cross-border excursions to fill up vehicles are not unusual for border residents in France, but the current rise in prices is making the decision more pertinent
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Drivers in France fear a fuel price surge following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, a concern shared across the globe.
An influx of drivers heading to the pumps to stock up early before price hikes prompted calls for calm, even as prices begin to rise.
Some petrol stations in southern France saw petrol reach €2 per litre, and prices elsewhere raised around 5 cents compared to last week, although the average prices on Thursday March 5 were €1.88 SP 98 petrol / €1.84 diesel according to online comparison platform Carbu.
France has around three months worth of fuel supply – an EU requirement – but the knock-on effect of the conflict may see global supply dwindle, pushing prices up.
Cheaper fuel in Spain
This naturally leads many to question whether fuel can be found cheaper elsewhere, and if hopping across the border can make it cheaper to top up a vehicle.
Many in the south go to Andorra for cheaper fuel, however the main road into the micro-state is closed until March 9.
Spain is seen as an alternative. Although not immune to the increase in fuel prices – especially in Catalonia, bordering France on the eastern edge of the Pyrénées – lower base costs mean that even with these taken into account, fuel is still cheaper.
For example, SP95-E5 was selling for an average of €1.55 per litre on Wednesday (March 4), with diesel (gazole) at €1.54 per litre, around 7% higher than the week before.
This is significantly cheaper than prices in France, which were at €1.81 per litre for SP98 and €1.70 per litre for diesel at the end of February even before the conflict began and the Strait of Hormuz closed.
If prices continue to rise in France but stay lower in Spain, the difference in cost may encourage drivers to head across the border.
The reason for Spain’s cheaper fuel is largely due to lower taxes, as similarly to France it must import its crude oil to refine into fuel.
Taxes make up around 47.5 - 49% of fuel costs in Spain, with VAT at 21% of this, whereas in France taxes make up 56%, with VAT at 39%.
The French government offers a fuel price check for domestic service stations, helping with calculations.
Higher costs elsewhere
Although drivers in the south may see benefits to cross-border refuelling, it is not the same elsewhere.
In Italy, some stations have already seen fuel prices reach €2.30 per litre for petrol and up to €2.50 for diesel.
Nationally however, prices per litre were lower than in France, with costs more dependent on local supply.
For residents in northern France, Belgium is a possibility for cheaper fuel, although prices have risen sharply since the outbreak of the conflict, rising by around 14 cents per litre in the last week to reach up to €1.92 per litre in some stations.
Unless you live extremely close to either border and can pre-check fuel prices of the service stations on the border, a trip may not offer any savings.
Fuel prices in Germany and Switzerland are generally higher than in France, and all countries have seen prices increase over the last week.
For comparison, a litre of petrol in the UK costs around £1.36 per litre (€1.57) after rising around 3p, and diesel £1.47 per litre (€1.69), a 16-month high but still cheaper than France.
Prices in the US vary significantly, but the average cost on Thursday (March 5) of petrol was $3.25 per gallon, (€1 a litre) / $4.12 / (€1.26 a litre) for diesel.
