BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – Across Europe, consumer prices driven by energy expenses have been climbing steadily this year. In particular, the cost of fuels for private vehicles saw a significant jump in September 2026, with a 31.4% increase compared to the same month in the previous year, according to Eurostat. This marks the most substantial rise over the past three months, following annual growth rates of 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. The data specifically pertain to fuels and lubricants used in personal transportation. Eurostat released these figures on October 21, and they are part of the EU’s harmonised consumer price index.
In September, the yearly increases outpaced those of July and August in 26 out of the 27 EU member states. Bulgaria experienced the most pronounced rise at 42.2%, with Estonia and Lithuania close behind at 40.6% and 40.2%, respectively. These three countries were the only ones to see prices escalate by more than 40%. Additionally, 12 other nations reported annual hikes exceeding 30%, with increases ranging from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. These widespread increases highlight the extensive reach of higher fuel costs across the European bloc.
Hungary recorded the smallest annual rise among EU countries at 6.9%. Ireland’s increase stood at 17.7%, while Sweden saw a 19.9% growth. In Cyprus, prices grew by 24.6%, which remains below the EU average. The data clearly indicate that drivers in nearly every member state paid significantly more at the pump compared to a year earlier. Some governments, including Germany, have responded by cutting fuel taxes to alleviate the financial burden on households.
Transport fuel prices increased again in September for diesel and petrol
Monthly data reveal that fuel prices continued their upward trajectory. Diesel prices across the EU grew by 5.9% in September compared to August, while petrol prices increased by 6.7% over the same period. In August, diesel had already risen by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3% when compared to July. These figures indicate persistent upward pressure on the costs of transport fuels through the late summer months into autumn.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced increases in diesel prices. Sweden saw the largest monthly jump at 12.8%, followed by Latvia at 10.3% and Poland at 9.7%. Conversely, the smallest increases were in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. The variation between nations is notable, largely because taxes and duties constitute a significant portion of the final pump price in many EU states.
Sweden records the highest monthly increase in petrol prices
Petrol prices also rose in 26 member states from August to September. Sweden experienced the most substantial monthly increase at 13.8%, with Poland following at 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. The smallest increases were observed in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite seeing the highest monthly gains in both diesel and petrol prices, Sweden’s annual increases remained relatively modest. Similarly, Cyprus stayed below the EU average on the yearly measure.
The escalation of energy prices has contributed to rising consumer costs across Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, predominantly driven by energy expenses. The Bank of Italy recently projected that oil prices will average $114 per barrel during the fourth quarter of 2026. Eurostat is expected to release additional price data in the upcoming weeks. Fuel expenses remain a crucial factor affecting household budgets and the operational costs for transport companies.