FUEL tourism has surged in Catalunya as French drivers flood across the border to take advantage of cheaper prices at the pump.
The number of French motorists filling up in the border town of La Jonquera has jumped by 22% in just one month, according to officials at local forecourts.
The rush has been triggered by Madrid’s decision to slash the rate of VAT on fuel as prices soared in the wake of the Iran war.
Queues of vehicles with French number plates now snake through forecourts from early morning.
Grup Tramuntana stations are among those seeing the most significant impact from the cross-border rush.
READ MORE: Spain offers to share jet fuel with EU allies as Iran war squeezes global supplies
Drivers are now reportedly travelling from as far as Toulouse – over two and a half hours away – to find cheaper fuel.
Many are bringing approved jerrycans to stock up on petrol before heading back.
Grup Tramuntana managing director Marius Fabrega said the price is a major draw for the new customers.
“We already had French customers, but since the VAT reduction we’ve clearly seen an increase,” he said.
French driver Serge Orengo described the price difference as ‘very significant’ to newspaper El Periodico.
He claimed prices in Spain can be between 50 and 60 cents per litre cheaper than in France. “It’s well worth coming,” he added.
Even though more cars are coming, the average number of litres per fill-up has dropped by about 4% as global oil prices stay shaky.
READ MORE: Good news for motorists: Filling up now €10 cheaper after Spanish government slashes VAT on fuel
Meanwhile, frustration is growing in France as motorists call on the government to introduce similar tax cuts as Spain.
“All the French are demanding a reduction, but the government doesn’t want to,” Orengo said.
Motorists across Spain were handed a much-needed lifeline after the Spanish government pushed through a measure to slash the rate of VAT on fuel.
The tax cut was part of a €5 billion package of measures introduced to counter the economic impact of the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Asa result, prices at the pump fell by around 10 per cent, saving motorists driving a vehicle with an average petrol tank up to €10 every time they fill up.
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