BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – According to Eurostat, the cost of fuel for personal transportation within the European Union experienced a 31.4% increase in September 2026 compared to the same month the previous year. This marked the most significant rise over the past three months, with annual growth rates of 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. These statistics encompass fuels and lubricants used in private vehicles. Eurostat released this data on October 21, as part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price index.
In September, the year-over-year increases surpassed those of July and August in 26 out of the 27 EU member states. Bulgaria saw the highest jump at 42.2%, followed by Estonia at 40.6%, and Lithuania with 40.2%. These were the only nations where prices climbed by more than 40%. An additional 12 countries reported annual increases exceeding 30%, ranging from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. The widespread nature of these increases indicates how broadly higher transportation costs have impacted the bloc.
Hungary experienced the smallest annual rise in the EU at 6.9%, while Ireland’s increase was 17.7%, with Sweden close behind at 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices increased by 24.6%, remaining below the EU average. The data clearly show that drivers nearly everywhere paid substantially more at the pump than they did a year prior. In response, some governments—including Germany—have moved to cut fuel taxes to ease the burden on households.
September sees continued rise in diesel and petrol prices
Fuel prices also increased significantly from August to September. Diesel prices across the EU rose by 5.9%, while petrol prices increased by 6.7% over the same period. In August, diesel had gone up by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3%, compared to July. These figures highlight ongoing upward pressure on transportation fuel costs through late summer and into the fall season.
Between August and September, diesel prices increased in 26 EU countries, with Sweden experiencing the highest monthly growth at 12.8%. Latvia followed with a 10.3% increase, and Poland with 9.7%. The smallest increases were observed in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. The monthly data reveal notable disparities among member states, with taxes and duties constituting a large portion of the final pump price in most EU countries.
Sweden records the largest monthly rise in petrol prices
In the same period, petrol prices increased in 26 EU countries, with Sweden again leading at 13.8%. Poland followed with 9.7%, and Estonia with 9.5%. The smallest increases were seen in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite experiencing one of the lowest annual rises, Sweden recorded the biggest monthly increase for both diesel and petrol. Meanwhile, Cyprus remained below the EU average on the annual measure.
The rise in energy prices has driven up consumer inflation across Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, largely influenced by energy costs. Last week, the Bank of Italy projected that oil prices would average $114 per barrel during the fourth quarter of 2026. Eurostat will release additional price data in the upcoming weeks, with fuel costs remaining a critical factor affecting household budgets and the transportation sector.