BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – In September 2026, the cost of fuel for personal vehicles in the European Union experienced a significant increase of 31.4% compared to the same month last year, according to Eurostat. This marked the sharpest rise over the previous three months, with annual growth rates of 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. The statistics cover fuels and lubricants used in private transportation. Eurostat released this data on October 21, and it forms part of the EU’s harmonized consumer price index.
The year-on-year increases in September outpaced those of July and August in 26 of the 27 EU member states. Bulgaria saw the highest increase at 42.2%, with Estonia close behind at 40.6% and Lithuania at 40.2%. These three countries were the only ones to record price hikes exceeding 40%. An additional 12 nations reported annual growth above 30%, ranging from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. Such widespread increases highlight how extensively higher costs have impacted the entire bloc.
Hungary experienced the lowest annual rise within the EU at 6.9%, while Ireland’s increase was somewhat higher at 17.7%. Sweden’s prices went up by 19.9%. In Cyprus, the increase was 24.6%, which remains below the EU average. The data indicates that nearly all drivers across member states paid considerably more at the pump than they did a year earlier. Some governments, like Germany, have responded by cutting fuel taxes to reduce the burden on households.
September sees continued increases in diesel and petrol prices
Price hikes persisted on a monthly basis as well. Across the EU, diesel costs rose by 5.9% in September compared to August, while petrol prices increased by 6.7% during the same period. In August, diesel had already climbed by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3%, relative to July. These figures point to ongoing upward pressure on transport fuel expenses through late summer and into the autumn season.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced increases in diesel prices, with Sweden recording the highest monthly jump at 12.8%. Latvia followed with a 10.3% rise, and Poland at 9.7%. Conversely, the smallest increases were observed in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. The data illustrate notable differences between member states, largely influenced by national taxes and duties that constitute a significant portion of the final pump price.
Sweden reports the largest monthly increase in petrol prices
Similarly, petrol prices climbed in 26 member states from August to September. Sweden experienced the most substantial rise at 13.8%, with Poland at 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. The lowest increases were recorded in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite the fact that Sweden saw the biggest monthly jumps for both diesel and petrol, it recorded one of the lowest annual increases. Cyprus also remained below the EU average on the yearly measure.
This year’s escalation in energy prices has contributed to rising consumer expenses throughout Europe. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, primarily driven by energy costs. The Bank of Italy announced last week that it expects oil prices to average $114 a barrel in the final quarter of 2026. Eurostat will publish additional price data in the upcoming weeks. Fuel expenses continue to be a critical factor affecting household budgets and transport businesses alike.