The price of fuels has once again drawn criticism from retailers, with the National Association of Energy, Fuel and Service Station Retailers (ANAREC) pointing to the weight of taxes in the bill paid by Portuguese consumers. João Durão, president of ANAREC, stated that "in one euro of diesel, 60 cents are taxes," accusing the Government of "lying to the Portuguese" and of "making money from fuels."
The statements were made at a fuel station in Lanhelas, in the municipality of Caminha, an area particularly exposed to the price difference between Portugal and Spain. According to João Durão, the difference in fuel prices between the two sides of the border can reach between 30 and 40 cents, which leads many drivers to cross the border to refuel.
The official considers that Portuguese companies are losing competitiveness significantly due to the prices charged on the Spanish side. ANAREC advocates for a reduction in the tax burden, which includes the Tax on Petroleum and Energy Products (ISP) and VAT, also calling for increased enforcement to combat what it described as daily "smuggling" of fuel between the two countries.
