Diesel prices in Portugal reached an all-time high of 2.267 euros per litre on Monday, 22 September 2026, according to official figures released by energy regulator ERSE.
Petrol prices also increased across the country on Monday, rising to an average of 2.150 euros per litre. Although petrol remains cheaper at the pump than diesel, it carries a significantly heavier tax burden.
Data from the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology showed that taxes accounted for 47.2 percent of the retail petrol price last week. By comparison, the tax load on diesel stood at nearly 39 percent, with updated tax breakdowns scheduled for release on Tuesday.
Drivers seeking cheaper fuel found the lowest market rates at hypermarket filling stations on Monday. Figures from the Energy Services Regulatory Authority showed hypermarket diesel averaging 2.141 euros per litre, while hypermarket petrol stood at 2.042 euros per litre.
Government warns on energy consumption
Following the price increases, Environment Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho warned that fuel consumption in Portugal was rising and called on individuals and institutions to cut back. She stressed that state financial support should be targeted specifically at those most in need.
Carvalho said consumption of diesel, petrol and jet fuel had grown by 4 to 6 percent compared with the same months of the previous year. While describing the growth as a positive sign of economic activity, she acknowledged that the magnitude of the increase came as a surprise.
Fuel market regulation and tax structure
Carvalho added that managing energy use requires active choices by individual consumers, private companies and public institutions alike. She emphasized the importance of energy conservation across all sectors of the economy.
The Energy Services Regulatory Authority acts as Portugal's independent energy market regulator, monitoring retail fuel prices and downstream competition. The Directorate-General for Energy and Geology oversees national energy policy, fuel reserves and sector statistics for the Portuguese government.
