The comparison between the price of a gas cylinder in Portugal and Spain gains strength again after a new update in the Spanish market. Despite the increase announced by the neighboring country, the values practiced in Portugal remain well above, which helps to explain why many consumers in neighboring areas continue to look to Spain as an alternative.
In Spain, the review published in the (BOE) sets, with effect from today, March 17, a maximum pre-tax sales price of 106.64 cents per kilogram for commercial butane filled in containers covered by the regulated regime. The Spanish system continues to provide for bimonthly reviews and maintains a public framework for this segment of the market.
After calculating the applicable taxation, the final value is very close to 16.35 euros for a traditional Spanish bottle weighing 12.5 kilos, according to the Spanish digital newspaper. The bill results from the base price defined in the BOE, added to the Special Tax on Hydrocarbons for LPG intended for uses other than fuel, set at 15 euros per ton, and then subject to the general VAT rate of 21%.
Cost of a gas cylinder in Portugal
On the Portuguese side, the most solid official reference for the consumer continues to be ERSE’s monitoring of the bottled LPG market. In the most recent public report available, for December 2025, ERSE indicates that the average announced price of 13 kg T3 butane was 34.02 euros, or 2.62 euros per kilogram, adding that these prices are representative of retail prices on the mainland.
This means that, even without resorting to commercial or promotional estimates, the official Portuguese source already shows a very significant difference in relation to the Spanish market. And this difference is not just a result of the size of the bottle, because ERSE also presents the value per kilo, which allows for a cleaner comparison between the two countries.
Real difference between the two countries
When the comparison is made with the same weight, the contrast remains very sharp. Applying the Portuguese average value identified by ERSE, an amount equivalent to 12.5 kg would cost around 32.75 euros in Portugal, while in Spain it is around 16.35 euros. In practice, the Portuguese price is almost double the Spanish price for a similar amount of gas.
If the calculation is made for the most common bottle in each market, the discrepancy remains evident. In Portugal, the official ERSE reference points to 34.02 euros for a 13-kilo bottle, while in Spain a regulated 12.5-kilo bottle is close to 16.35 euros after tax.
The difference is, therefore, around 17 euros per bottle, which helps to understand why the topic cyclically returns to public debate.
Is it worth going to buy gas cylinders in Spain?
From a strictly price point of view, the answer is clear: yes, it could be worth it, but especially for those who live close to the border or already shop regularly in Spain. If the trip is short and integrated with other purchases, the savings per bottle are high enough to make a difference in the household budget.
The increase in Spain does not change the essentials: bottled gas remains much cheaper on the Spanish side than in Portugal. For those who live close to the border, the difference may continue to justify travel.
For those who live far away, the potential gain tends to be more easily absorbed by travel costs and the practical limitations of contracting, exchange and system compatibility.
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