The discount on petrol and diesel will continue in December. The Ministry of Economy has confirmed the continuation of the 20 cents per litre in view of the evolution of prices, as RTVE reported on Friday 13 November. The scheduled date for the end of the mechanism is 31 December 2026.
The measure should be understood as a tax relief on fuels. It is not a cheque that the individual has to apply for, nor an additional amount that is necessarily deducted at the till on the price that has already been announced.
The difference matters when calculating the cost of refuelling: if a station displays a retail price, then it does not proceed to deduct, on its own account, other 20 cents per litre.
Why the reduction continues in December
Royal Decree-Law 25/2026 designed a gradual withdrawal of support, accompanied by a safeguard mechanism linked to inflation. The reduction was maintained with greater intensity if the increase in fuel prices exceeded the established thresholds.
According to information from RTVE, the year-on-year increase in October reached 36% for diesel and approached 21% for petrol. This development prevents applying the withdrawal that would have reduced the relief during December.
The result is an extension of existing protection, not an announcement of a new 20-cent drop in relation to the price that the driver finds today.
What changes for people who are going to refuel
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does it continue in December? | Yes, according to the Economy confirmation collected by RTVE. |
| Until when is it scheduled? | Until 31 December 2026. |
| Does it need to be requested as an individual? | It is not an individual aid that has to be requested for each refuelling. |
| Are other 20 cents deducted from the forecourt price? | No. The effect of the measure must not be deducted twice. |
| Does it guarantee that fuel goes down? | It does not set the final price or eliminate market fluctuations. |
| Is it confirmed for January? | Continuity in 2027 is not guaranteed by this extension. |
Sources: Royal Decree-Law 25/2026 and confirmation from the Ministry of Economy published by RTVE on 13 November.
Why fuel may rise despite the discount
A tax cut reduces the tax burden compared to what would exist without it. It does not freeze the rest of the price components.
The decree itself places the measures in a scenario of tension in energy markets, supply difficulties, and higher prices for refined products. That is why maintaining support and recording an increase at the pumps are compatible situations: fuel can become more expensive even if the tax is lower.
To check the effect on people’s pockets, you have to look at the final station price, the number of liters, and the conditions of any commercial promotion.
Professional aid has different rules
The regulatory package also governs support for professional transport and other sectors. Its amounts and procedures must not be confused with the treatment of refueling by an individual.
In the case of professional diesel, the decree links certain aid with the tax rate that applies each month. Automatically adding up all the figures announced can lead to calculating a benefit that does not correspond to the consumer or to the specific vehicle.
Continuity beyond December 31 will require regulatory coverage. The mechanism currently in force does not allow taking for granted the same discount during January 2027.