BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – According to Eurostat, fuel costs for private transportation within the European Union escalated by 31.4% in September 2026 compared to the same month last year. This marked the most significant rise over the previous three months. During July, annual price growth stood at 16.9%, followed by 23.8% in August. These statistics encompass fuels and lubricants used in personal vehicles. The data, published on October 21, as part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price index, reflect a broad increase in transportation expenses for consumers across member states.
In September, 26 out of 27 EU nations experienced higher annual increases than those recorded in July and August. Bulgaria experienced the largest jump at 42.2%, with Estonia at 40.6% and Lithuania at 40.2%. These were the only three countries where prices increased by more than 40%. A further 12 countries saw annual growth above 30%, with Czechia at 37.5% and Portugal at 30.3%. The widespread nature of these increases illustrates how significantly higher costs have permeated the entire bloc.
Hungary recorded the smallest annual uptick in the EU, at 6.9%. Ireland’s increase was 17.7%, and Sweden’s was slightly higher at 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices increased by 24.6%, remaining below the EU average. The data clearly indicate that drivers in nearly every member state paid considerably more at the pump than they did a year earlier. To mitigate household pressure, some governments, including Germany, have taken steps such as reducing fuel taxes.
September sees continued rise in diesel and petrol prices
Fuel prices experienced notable increases month-on-month, with diesel prices across the EU climbing by 5.9% in September compared to August. Meanwhile, petrol prices increased by 6.7% over the same period. In August, diesel had already risen by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3%, compared with July. These figures demonstrate ongoing upward pressure on transport fuel expenses through the late summer and into autumn.
Between August and September, diesel prices rose in 26 EU countries. Sweden saw the largest monthly increase at 12.8%, followed by Latvia at 10.3% and Poland at 9.7%. Conversely, the smallest monthly increases were in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. The variations among member states highlight the influence of national taxes and duties, which constitute a significant portion of the final pump price in most EU nations.
Sweden records the highest monthly rise in petrol prices
Similarly, petrol prices climbed in 26 member states from August to September. Sweden experienced the largest increase at 13.8%, with Poland at 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. The smallest increases occurred in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite the modest annual increases, Sweden faced the most significant monthly jumps in both diesel and petrol prices, whereas Cyprus remained below the EU average on an annual basis.
Rising energy costs have driven up consumer prices across Europe during this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, primarily fueled by energy expenses. The Bank of Italy last week projected an average oil price of $114 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026. Additional price data from Eurostat will be released in upcoming weeks. Fuel expenses continue to be a critical factor impacting household budgets and the operational costs of transport firms.