Fuel prices in Portugal can hit high. For expats who are already dealing with the extra costs of living abroad, Portugal fuel prices may not fit into the budget. Luckily, there are some “fuel prices Portugal” advice for saving money. Read on to learn about fuel loyalty programs, fuel economy driving tips, the best fuel discount cards and more.
How to save on fuel prices in Portugal
Fuel loyalty programs
Fuel loyalty programs in Portugal are provided by major companies like Galp, Repsol, Cepsa, AVIA, and others. They can take various forms, such as fuel discount cards, points systems, partnerships, etc.
Fuel discount cards are a great way to access immediate benefits, so let's compare some of them.
| Fuel discount card | Description |
|---|---|
| Galp+ |
No membership fees; Immediate discounts on gas oil and gasoline; Control your expenses in the app; One of the best fuel discount cards for individuals and businesses. |
| Repsol Mais |
Cuts off 5 cents per litre; Safe card with usage limits; Points accumulation with the Fidelização Repsol Move Programme. |
| Avia GO |
A loyalty programme app; Collect points and exchange them for discounts or prizes; Get rewards and special promotions. |
Overall, such cards help to save up to 15 cents per litre, which is a nice number in the long term. The best thing is that they cost you nothing.
You may also have heard about a government fuel card. In Portugal, however, the government fuel card is not a common practice — only sometimes it’s provided to the workers of public institutions. So, if you’re employed in the private sector, getting a government fuel card is not an option.
Credit cards with fuel discounts
Another option to save funds is to get one of the credit cards with fuel discounts. Here are some of them:
| Card | Description |
|---|---|
| Santander + Repsol Move |
Works with Santander credit, debit, and prepaid cards; Discounts up to 16 cents per litre; 3 transactions per day; Offers cashback; Fees apply only to the card itself. |
| BP PowerPlus |
A 6% discount on fuel; Offers cashback. |
| Wizink Cepsa Gow |
4–7 cents off per litre; Discounts on in-store products; Discounts on washing services; Discounts on electric recharging. |
| Cashback cards |
Some credit cards offer cashback on various categories; Fuel is often one of them; Check your bank’s website to see available fuel-saving offers in Portugal. |
The smartest way to cut Portugal fuel prices is to combine loyalty programmes, credit card cashback and discounts from apps, which we’ll cover now.
Explore:
Fuel apps
We live in a digital era, so let’s take advantage of fuel apps to find the cheapest offer. Try out these gas apps in Portugal:
- 1-2-3 Fuel, a fuel price comparison tool. It shows up-to-date information about stations, current prices, and the nearest location. It works in Portugal, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, so it will be handy even when you're travelling.
- Ryd, is an in-car payment app that allows you to pay without going to a cashier. It has promotional offers, can be used for daily fuel price updates, and operates in Europe.
- Maisgasolina, compares fuel prices, Portugal is the main market. The app is available only on Android, but there is a web version which everyone can use freely.
There are countless apps designed to make life easier for expats—whether it’s for deliveries, budgeting, navigation, or most importantly, sending funds abroad. To transfer money from Portugal to Pakistan, Brazil, Bangladesh and 90 more countries, use Profee.
- Market-beating rates and low fees
Even though in Portugal fuel prices are high, you can save extra euros on international transfers. Profee makes sure the exchange rates are up-to-date and beneficial. There were cases when the rate was even better than on Google — yes, it’s possible. So, keep your wallet full and send money back home cost-effectively.
- Convenient
You can send funds to India, Nigeria and beyond from inside your car while waiting for the gas tank to fill. Or at home. Or in an office. All you need is your phone and access to the internet.
What about a recipient? They can receive money everywhere, too. It’ll be automatically credited into their account without the Profee app or a bank visit.
- Quick
Transfer speed worthy of Formula 1. You’ll register in minutes because Profee keeps only the essentials in the sign-up process. When you’re done, the transfer will be sent almost immediately—fast and furious.
So, download the fuel price trackers and Profee to be a savvy expat who uses their savings smartly.
Now, let’s move on to the fuel economy driving tips.
Fuel economy driving tips
Using promotional offers is not enough to lower your total fuel prices, Portugal-based expats have some advice on changing your driving habits and spending less.
Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive driving
Why rush and drive like crazy when deliberate driving can actually save you money? Forget about harsh acceleration, hard braking, and speeding—most of your fuel goes on them. Instead, accelerate gradually, wait for stops so you can release the accelerator, and brake smoothly. When you're on the highway, try maintaining a constant speed; this is good for your car's health and fuel expenses, too. Plus, it’s much safer, don’t rush, be cautious and save funds on fuel prices Portugal.
Tip: Use cruise control on flat highways when possible to keep a steady pace.
Stick to the speed limit
The best speed for fuel efficiency is between 50 and 80 km/h (30 and 50 mph), depending on your car. If you drive faster, the engine works harder (aerodynamics knowledge check). For example, starting to drive at 100 km/h instead of 120 km/h may decrease fuel consumption by up to 20%. That's what we need here.
Tip: Drive at moderate speeds, especially on motorways, to optimize fuel use.
Use higher gears when appropriate
The earlier you shift to higher gears, the better for fuel consumption control. Most modern engines can handle lower RPMs without issue. If you're driving a manual, aim to shift up at around 2,000–2,500 RPMs.
Tip: Use the gear that allows your engine to run most efficiently.
Avoid excess idling
Whenever the wait is long, turn off the engine. If you let your car idle, it burns a huge amount of fuel for no reason. Your wallet and our planet won't thank you for that. So, turn off the engine when you're waiting outside a school or during long traffic lights. Many modern cars do this automatically, but it's always better to check yourself.
Tip: Warm up your engine by driving gently, not by idling for extended periods.
Extra tips on saving
As an expat, you can spend less not only on fuel, check these articles:
Lighten your load
Don’t overload your car, because every extra 50 kg (110 lbs) reduces fuel efficiency by up to 2%, especially in smaller cars. So, put the cleaning day in your schedule and clear out unnecessary items from your trunk or back seat.
Tip: Travel light. Even small reductions in weight or drag can save fuel over time.
Plan your trips
Which engine consumes less fuel—warm or cold? The warm one, so combine trips when possible. Pick the kids up from school and drive to the nearest grocery store with them. Longer but single drive is better than ten short outings.
Tip: Use real-time GPS apps to plan routes and avoid traffic delays.
Minimise the use of air conditioning
Air conditioning is a blessing during warm days, but it increases fuel consumption by up to 20%. Open the windows and enjoy the fresh air when you're at lower speeds. However, at higher speeds, open windows cause drag—in that case, light A/C use may actually be more efficient—remember to turn it off after some time, though.
Tip: Use your car’s ventilation system first and reserve A/C for extreme heat.
Keep up with vehicle maintenance
Taking good care of your car can make a big difference in how much fuel it uses. Things like regular oil changes, clean air filters, and healthy spark plugs help your engine run smoothly and efficiently.
Tip: Don't rely on fuel additives—basic maintenance gives far better results.
Take advantage of supermarket fuel stations
Supermarket fuel stations (by Lidl, Tesco and others) often offer lower fuel prices than major oil brands. And it’s also convenient, since you can fiil the tank right after a shopping session.
Tip: Sign up for your supermarket’s loyalty app to get alerts about fuel discounts and promotions.
Use these tips and keep your wallet full. As for the international remittances, to save more, start by downloading Profee and explore the world of beneficial and fast transfers from Portugal.
FAQ—fuel in Portugal
What is petrol called in Portugal?
There are three words — diesel, gasolina and gasoleo.
How to buy petrol in Portugal?
It depends on the station. At larger ones, you fill in the tank first and they pay in the shop or online. Smaller ones work in a prepaid model.
What is the average fuel price in Portugal?
Around 1.5-1.8 EUR per litre depending on the fuel type.
What is the cheapest way to buy fuel in Portugal?
Use fuel apps, loyalty cards and follow our tips from this article.
What is the fuel price in Portugal?
Average. It may be higher than expats expect, but is on a level of other European countries.
How to get the cheapest gas?
Compare prices online and choose the cheapest options.
