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Andalucía has become the Spanish leader in automated service stations, with nearly a third of its petrol stations now operating without on-site staff, according to the latest sector report.

 

The 2025 study by the Spanish Association of Automated Service Stations (Aesae) counts 745 automated sites across the region, out of 3,477 nationally. That means 21.4% of all Spain’s automated forecourts are in Andalucía and marks an 89% jump since 2023, when there were 395.

 

Automated service stations, or ESAs, now account for 32.1% of all petrol stations in the region, showing how quickly drivers have embraced self-service. Growth has been particularly striking in several provinces. Jaén has seen numbers soar from 29 to 101 sites, a 248% increase that puts it second in Spain for growth, while Almería has gone from 31 to 95, up 206%, making it third. Córdoba also appears among the fastest risers, with a 164% increase.

 

In terms of market share, Almería leads the way in Andalucía. Some 41% of its service stations are now automated, placing it third nationally for penetration. Jaén follows with 38%, ranked fifth in Spain, and Córdoba stands at 36%. In Seville and Cádiz, ESAs already represent 32% of the market. Malaga sits at 28% and Granada at 26%, while Huelva, with 21%, has the lowest share in the region, though still a significant foothold.

 

Aesae’s report notes that Andalucía is at the forefront of this model’s expansion, ahead of other large regions, with self-service stations becoming an increasingly familiar sight for motorists. At national level, ESAs have grown to 3,477 installations and now represent close to a third of the Spanish fuel retail market. The association highlights that this model, once seen as a niche option, has become a “structural pillar” of the sector.

 

For drivers living in or visiting Andalucía, it means more 24-hour, card-operated forecourts on main roads and in smaller towns alike. And for the sector, the latest figures suggest automated stations are here to stay as a key part of Spain’s fuel network.

 

 

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