Rajan Wilcox
Fuel prices in France and across Europe have been a hot topic in recent times, with prices fluctuating across the continent. As of May 2025, the average price of LPG in Europe was €1.59 per litre, with prices varying depending on the country and the type of fuel. France, for example, has seen fuel prices rise since the start of 2023, with prices now higher than in the UK. With various factors influencing fuel prices, it's essential to stay updated on the latest prices and trends, especially when planning travel or comparing costs across borders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel prices in France | €1.77 per litre |
| Fuel type | Gasoline 95 |
| Comparison with other countries | More expensive than in the UK |
| Common fuel type in Europe | E5 (Super) |
| Price of E5 (Super) in Europe | €1.59 per litre |
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What You'll Learn
Fuel prices in France vs the UK
Fuel prices in France and the UK are influenced by various factors, including taxes, oil prices, and exchange rates. As of May 2025, the price of fuel in France has been higher than in the UK. While the prices in both countries have historically been similar, with fuel being more expensive in the UK between mid-2020 and mid-2021, the trend has shifted since the start of 2023.
Taking a closer look at the prices, the average cost of a litre of unleaded petrol and diesel in France and the UK is used for comparison. As of recently, the prices at the pumps have been higher in France. This shift may be influenced by fluctuations in global oil prices, changes in taxation, or variations in currency exchange rates between the Euro and the Pound Sterling.
In terms of specific fuel types, E5 (Super) is the most common type of fuel in Europe and is available at all gas stations. However, the prices vary between countries. France has seen higher prices for this fuel type compared to the UK, contributing to the overall higher fuel costs in the country. B7 Diesel fuel, another widely available option in Europe, is also found at every gas station in both France and the UK.
While the prices at highways and petrol stations located near large shopping complexes may differ slightly, with highway stations typically being more expensive, the overall trend of higher fuel prices in France compared to the UK remains consistent. These price variations within countries can be influenced by competition, local taxes, and the proximity to fuel depots.
It's worth noting that fuel prices can change rapidly and are influenced by dynamic factors. While the current comparison provides a snapshot of the situation, ongoing monitoring of fuel prices in France and the UK is necessary to stay abreast of any changes that may impact travel plans or cross-country cost-of-living comparisons.
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How much tax is included
Fuel prices in France are determined by many factors, including the price of crude oil, refining, and transportation costs. The price at the pump includes various taxes, which can be broken down as follows:
Taxes
In France, taxes made up over 60% of the pump price of fuels as of June 2016. These taxes are not influenced by oil price fluctuations; while crude oil prices have declined since 2014, taxes have increased in France. The specific taxes included in the pump price are:
- Value-added tax (VAT): A tax of 20% applied to the cost of the refined product and the TICPE.
- TICPE (Taxe Intérieure de Consommation sur les Produits Énergétiques): A consumption tax applied to energy products, which is recalculated yearly. It includes a carbon component based on France's carbon tax, which increased from €7 per metric ton in 2014 to €22 per metric ton in 2016.
- Regional TICPE tax: An additional tax that can be levied by France's regional councils, leading to price variations depending on the area.
- Excise duty: A minimum excise duty on fuel is prescribed by the EU's Mineral Oil Directive, with which all member states comply.
- Storage levies
- Security levies
- Environmental taxes: An example is the TGAP (taxe générale sur les activités polluantes), which is an indirect tax on businesses and activities that produce harmful emissions or waste.
Comparison with Other Countries
France has relatively high taxes on fuel compared to countries like the United States, where fuel taxes are much lower. Within Europe, there are large variations in fuel prices and taxes between member states. France's fuel prices have historically been similar to those in the UK, but since the start of 2023, it has become more expensive to fill up in France.
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LPG prices
According to a comparative study, the average LPG price per tonne in France is €2059 (including tax), with a national average consumption of 1370kg of propane gas per year. However, LPG prices can vary depending on the supplier. Butagaz, Antargaz, and Primagaz are some of the major LPG suppliers in France, each offering different prices per tonne of propane. Butagaz and Antargaz charge €1399 per tonne, while Primagaz offers a lower rate of €1204 per tonne.
Vitogaz is another LPG supplier in France, focusing on LPG petrol. Additionally, regional suppliers like Gaz Liberté, Repsol, Distrigaz, and Séolis also offer propane at varying rates. The French government has also implemented fuel discounts to provide some relief from rising fuel prices. For instance, a discount of 15 to 18 cents per liter of fuel was extended until the end of 2022, benefiting motorists using LPG-powered vehicles.
When compared to gasoline, LPG offers significant cost savings. LPG-powered vehicles benefit from lower fuel prices, making it a more economical option. Additionally, LPG is considered a cleaner fuel alternative, providing both economic and environmental advantages. Overall, LPG prices in France are subject to various factors and market fluctuations, and motorists can explore different suppliers to find competitive rates.
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E5 (Super) prices
As of May 2025, E5 (Super) is the most common type of fuel in Europe and is available at all gas stations. While the price of fuel can vary within a country, the price of E5 (Super) in France can be estimated by looking at the average price of fuel in Europe.
The average price of E5 (Super) fuel in Europe is €1.59 per litre. However, in countries like the Netherlands, Iceland, and Great Britain, E5 (Super) can be 25-30% more expensive than the European average. As of 2023, it has been more expensive to fill up in France than in the UK. Prices at petrol stations located along highways may also be slightly higher than those next to large shopping complexes.
Compared to other countries in Europe, the price of E5 (Super) in France may be considered relatively standard. For example, as of an unspecified date, the price of gasoline in Austria was €1.53, while in Belgium, it was €1.52. As of May 2025, the price of E5 (Super) fuel in Europe increased by €0.01 from the previous month.
It is important to note that fuel prices can fluctuate, and the information provided here may not reflect the most current prices. Additionally, prices may vary within France, with different petrol stations offering slightly different rates. Nonetheless, E5 (Super) remains the most widespread type of fuel in Europe and is readily available across the continent, including in France.
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Cheapest places to buy fuel
Fuel prices in France are regulated by the government, which requires fuel outlets to declare price changes on the government site. This helps drivers find the cheapest fuel options near them. Here are some ways to find the cheapest places to buy fuel in France:
Interactive Maps
The government website 'prix-carburants' allows you to find your closest petrol station and compare prices. You can access this information by selecting your department from the drop-down list. Plein-moins-cher.fr is another interactive map that updates fuel prices every 10 minutes, providing real-time data. It also offers a heat map to quickly identify the cheapest stations and allows filtering by brand name, region, and department.
Mobile Applications
Mobile apps like Chargemap, Plug Share, and Izivia can be useful for locating charging points and purchasing prepaid cards for electric vehicles.
Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
Most large supermarkets and hypermarkets have fuel stations, and shopping around can help find the best prices.
Service Stations
Service stations ('stations-service' or 'stations essence') can be found in most towns and along autoroutes (motorways).
Plan Your Route
If you're driving across France, you can use interactive maps to plan where to fill up along your journey. The French media outlet BFMTV's 'fuel map' shows the three cheapest petrol stations for each type of fuel within each department.
While there are tools to help you find the cheapest fuel, it's worth noting that fuel prices in France have been rising, and it can still be challenging to find good offers.
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