In La Seu d'Urgell, in Alt Urgell, fuel is now cheaper than across the border in Andorra, reversing a pattern that had lasted for decades. For years, drivers from the Catalan border area and visitors heading into Andorra often crossed the frontier to fill up at lower prices.
According to Segre, 95-octane petrol now costs less in La Seu d'Urgell than at any petrol station in Andorra. The low-cost Esclatoil station, part of the Esclat Bon Preu group, opened last year in the Alt Urgell capital and has been drawing queues because of demand.
The gap is several cents per litre, and it widens by another five cents per litre for customers using loyalty cards. This week, 95-octane petrol at Esclatoil was €1.429 per litre with a loyalty card, compared with €1.635 per litre at Andorran stations. Diesel is also cheaper in La Seu d'Urgell, at €1.559 per litre with a loyalty card, against €1.674 per litre in Andorra.
The change is linked to policy decisions on both sides of the border. The Spanish government, led by Pedro Sánchez, introduced measures in March to moderate rising fuel prices, which has helped stabilise costs in Spain for now.
By contrast, the Andorran government, under Xavier Espot, chose not to reduce fuel taxes. Andorran petrol stations have reported a €300,000 loss in revenue during April, as sales fell and their price advantage disappeared, officials said.
The hydrocarbon market remains volatile and is affected by geopolitical events. For now, the price shift has created a new economic picture for residents and businesses in the Catalan-Andorran border area.
