Fuel prices hit record highs, sparking protests in Portugal

By Lina Ferreira

Published on 07/09/2026 - 19:07 GMT+2•Updated 19:16

Portugal woke up to yet another increase in fuel prices which, in the case of diesel, hit an all-time high. This time, the price rise, which has been ongoing throughout the year, was marked by protests on the country's roads.

In the morning, there was a loud horn protest on the 25 de Abril Bridge, the crossing that links Lisbon to the city of Almada on the southern bank of the River Tagus.

At the same time, further south, a go-slow convoy was heading towards Galp's refinery in Sines, in the district of Setúbal. The protest, organised via WhatsApp and social media, was still under way after lunchtime and had no set ending time.

Images on social media showed cars with Portuguese flags on their bonnets, sounding their horns. According to the Lusa news agency, protesters were also carrying placards reading "Enough of fuel price hikes" and "Families can't take any more". The GNR told the agency that between 60 and 100 vehicles took part.

Petrol at highest level since invasion of Ukraine

According to forecasts by theAutomobile Club of Portugal (ACP), (source in Portuguese) diesel rose by 15 cents this Monday (to €2.169 per litre) and petrol increased by 12 cents (to €2.142 per litre).

These figures do not take into account the reduction in the petroleum products tax (ISP), applied by the government on an exceptional basis, which capped the increases at a further 12 cents for diesel and 9 cents for petrol.

This is the highest diesel price ever recorded, according to calculations by Dinheiro Vivo (source in Portuguese). In the case of petrol, this is the highest level since the energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Portugal among countries with the highest prices

Across Europe fuel prices have been rising throughout the year. In Germany, the Frankfurter Allgemeine (source in Portuguese) reports that fuel prices have reached a record high, with petrol surpassing the record of €2.203 per litre in March 2022.

But Portugal is among the countries with the highest fuel prices. Thefuel-prices website (source in Portuguese), which compiles fuel prices in 21 European countries, showed this Monday that Portugal has the 19th most expensive petrol. Only France and Denmark posted higher prices.

As for diesel, the ranking improves to 17th place, ahead of the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Denmark.

The rise in prices even prompted Portugal's Environment and Energy Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho, to commission a study from the Energy Services Regulatory Authority (ERSE).

But the study, published in mid-August, found "no evidence of operators taking advantage". It also concluded that there is no "rockets and feathers" phenomenon: prices that rise rapidly and fall slowly.

"The results therefore do not support the notion that price decreases are passed on persistently more slowly or less fully than increases," the study says.

ERSE also explained the price difference with Spain through taxes. But it stressed that in Portugal the tax burden has remained constant, "in line with the majority of countries in the European Union and the euro area".

Hormuz and refining capacity

The rise in fuel prices in Europe has been linked to the conflict in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted trade routes.

But experts also talk about limits on refining capacity, even when crude oil is available. This situation particularly affects diesel.

In terms of taxation, an extraordinary tax on oil companies' profits is now on the table. According to AFP, ministers from Portugal, Germany, Italy, Austria, Poland and Spain have sent a letter to Ireland's finance minister so that the issue can be discussed at the next meeting of finance ministers. The gathering is scheduled for 18 and 19 September in Ireland, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the European Union.