BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – According to Eurostat, fuel prices for private transportation across the European Union increased by 31.4% in September 2026 compared to the same month in the previous year. This rise marked the most significant monthly growth in the past three months. The annual growth was 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. The data covers fuels and lubricants for personal vehicles, with the report published on October 21. These figures are part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price statistics.
In September, 26 out of 27 EU nations experienced higher year-over-year increases than in July and August. Bulgaria saw the largest jump at 42.2%, followed by Estonia with 40.6% and Lithuania with 40.2%. These three countries were the only ones where prices increased by over 40%. Additionally, 12 nations reported annual rises above 30%, with Czechia at 37.5% and Portugal at 30.3%. The widespread nature of these increases demonstrates how broadly higher fuel costs have affected the bloc.
Hungary experienced the smallest yearly increase at 6.9%, with Ireland at 17.7%, and Sweden at 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices increased by 24.6%, which is below the EU average. The data clearly indicate that drivers across nearly all member states paid considerably more at the pump than a year prior. Some governments, including Germany, have responded by reducing fuel taxes to help ease financial pressure on households.
Fuel prices for diesel and petrol continue to increase in September
From month to month, the price increases persisted. Diesel prices across the EU rose by 5.9% in September compared to August, while petrol prices climbed by 6.7% during the same period. In August, diesel had increased by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3% versus July. These figures indicate ongoing upward pressure on transportation fuel costs through late summer into fall.
Between August and September, diesel prices rose in 26 EU countries, with Sweden experiencing the largest monthly increase at 12.8%. Latvia followed with 10.3%, and Poland at 9.7%. The smallest increases were in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. Wide differences between member states are evident in the monthly data, with taxes and duties forming a substantial part of the final pump price in most EU countries.
Sweden records largest monthly increase for petrol
Between August and September, petrol prices increased in 26 member states. Sweden experienced the highest rise at 13.8%, with Poland at 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. The lowest increases occurred in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite the modest annual rise, Sweden saw the largest monthly increase for both diesel and petrol. Meanwhile, Cyprus remained below the EU average on the yearly measure.
Energy costs have driven consumer prices upward across Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, largely fueled by energy prices. The Bank of Italy recently forecasted that oil prices would average $114 a barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026. Eurostat will release additional price data in the upcoming weeks. Fuel expenses continue to significantly impact household budgets and the transportation sector.