BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – Fuel costs for personal transportation within the European Union jumped by 31.4% in September 2026 compared to the previous year, according to Eurostat. This was the most significant rise in the past three months. In July, prices grew by 16.9%, and in August, the increase was 23.8%. The data includes fuels and lubricants used in private vehicles. Eurostat released these figures on October 21. The index is part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price statistics.
In September, 26 of the 27 EU member states experienced higher annual increases than in July and August. Bulgaria saw the largest growth at 42.2%. Estonia followed with 40.6%, and Lithuania with 40.2%. These were the only three countries where prices rose by more than 40%. An additional 12 countries reported annual increases over 30%, from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. The widespread rise indicates how broadly higher costs have affected the entire bloc.
Hungary had the smallest annual increase at 6.9%. Ireland was next at 17.7%, and Sweden recorded 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices increased by 24.6%, below the EU average. The data show that drivers in almost every member state paid much more at the pump compared to a year earlier. Some governments, including Germany, have responded by cutting fuel taxes to lessen the burden on households.
Price of diesel and petrol increase again in September
Fuel prices also surged from month to month. Diesel prices across the EU rose by 5.9% in September compared to August. Petrol prices increased by 6.7% during the same period. In August, diesel had gone up by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3% compared with July. These figures show continued upward pressure on transport fuel costs into late summer and autumn.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced a rise in diesel prices. Sweden led with a 12.8% increase, followed by Latvia at 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%. The data reveals significant differences among member states. Taxes and duties make up a large share of the final pump price in most EU countries.
Sweden records the largest monthly rise in petrol prices
Petrol prices also increased in 26 member states between August and September. Sweden experienced the biggest jump at 13.8%. Poland followed with 9.7%, and Estonia with 9.5%. The smallest increases were 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 increases for both diesel and petrol. Cyprus remained below the EU average on the annual scale.
Rising energy costs have driven up consumer prices throughout Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, mainly due to energy. The Bank of Italy recently stated it expects oil prices to average $114 a barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026. Eurostat will release additional price data soon. Fuel costs continue to be a major factor impacting household budgets and transport firms.