BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – According to Eurostat, fuel prices for private transportation within the European Union increased by 31.4% in September 2026 compared to the same month last year. This marks the most significant rise observed over the past three months, with July recording a 16.9% increase and August reaching 23.8%. The data encompasses the costs of fuels and lubricants used in personal vehicles. Eurostat released these figures on October 21, as part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price statistics.
In September, 26 out of 27 EU nations saw annual price increases that exceeded those in July and August. Bulgaria experienced the highest jump at 42.2%, followed by Estonia at 40.6% and Lithuania at 40.2%. These three countries were the only ones with prices rising by more than 40%. Additionally, 12 other countries reported annual increases above 30%, with Czechia at 37.5% and Portugal at 30.3%. The widespread nature of these increases highlights how extensively higher costs have permeated the entire bloc.
Hungary reported the smallest yearly increase at 6.9%, while Ireland’s rise was 17.7%, and Sweden’s was 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices went up by 24.6%, still below the EU average. The data clearly shows that nearly every member state’s drivers faced considerably higher pump prices than a year earlier. To alleviate the burden on households, some governments, including Germany, have taken steps to reduce fuel taxes.
September sees further increases in diesel and petrol prices
Fuel costs continued their upward trajectory on a monthly basis. Across the EU, diesel prices climbed by 5.9% in September compared to August, while petrol prices increased by 6.7%. In August, diesel had risen by 8.3% and petrol by 3.3% compared to July. These figures indicate persistent upward pressure on transport fuel expenses through late summer and into the fall.
Between August and September, 26 EU member states experienced higher diesel prices. Sweden saw the most significant monthly increase at 12.8%, with Latvia at 10.3% and Poland at 9.7%. The smallest monthly gains occurred in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. Variations between countries reflect the impact of different national taxes and duties, which constitute a substantial portion of the final pump price in most EU nations.
Sweden reports the largest monthly rise in petrol prices
Between August and September, petrol prices increased in 26 member states. Sweden again experienced the largest jump at 13.8%, with Poland at 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. The smallest increases were recorded in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite having one of the lowest annual increases, Sweden saw the largest monthly rises for both diesel and petrol. Meanwhile, Cyprus’s annual price growth remained below the EU average.
Rising energy costs have contributed to an overall increase in consumer prices across Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, largely driven by energy expenses. The Bank of Italy recently projected that oil prices will average $114 a barrel in the final quarter of 2026. Eurostat plans to publish additional price data in the upcoming weeks. Fuel expenses continue to be a significant factor impacting household budgets and transportation companies alike.