BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – According to Eurostat, fuel expenses related to personal transportation within the European Union experienced an increase of 31.4% in September 2026 compared to the same month in the previous year. This rise marked the most pronounced over the past three months, following annual growth rates of 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. The statistics encompass fuels and lubricants utilized in private vehicles, with Eurostat releasing this data on October 21. The index forms part of the EU’s standardized consumer price index metrics.
In September, the year-on-year increases surpassed those recorded in July and August in 26 out of 27 EU member states. Bulgaria experienced the most substantial jump at 42.2%, with Estonia close behind at 40.6% and Lithuania at 40.2%. These three countries were the only ones where prices advanced by over 40%. Furthermore, 12 additional nations reported annual increases above 30%, with Czechia seeing a 37.5% rise and Portugal a 30.3% increase. The widespread nature of these hikes underscores how broadly the higher costs have permeated across the bloc.
Hungary registered the smallest annual uptick at 6.9%, with Ireland following at 17.7% and Sweden at 19.9%. In Cyprus, prices increased by 24.6%, which remains below the EU average. The data reveal that motorists almost universally paid significantly more at the pump than they did a year earlier. Some governments, including Germany, have responded by cutting fuel taxes in an effort to reduce the financial burden on households.
Sharp increases in diesel and petrol prices continue in September
Fuel prices experienced notable month-to-month growth as well. Specifically, diesel prices across the EU went up by 5.9% from August to September, while petrol prices increased by 6.7% during the same interval. In August, diesel had risen by 8.3% and petrol by 3.3% compared to July. These figures highlight persistent upward pressure on transport fuel costs throughout the late summer and into the autumn season.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries saw their diesel prices increase, with Sweden recording the highest monthly growth at 12.8%, followed by Latvia at 10.3% and Poland at 9.7%. Conversely, the smallest monthly increases were observed in Spain at 2.4%, Croatia at 2.5%, and Romania at 3.0%. The variation across member states reflects the significant role of national taxes and duties, which constitute a large portion of the final pump price in most EU countries.
Sweden reports largest monthly jump in petrol prices
Petrol prices also climbed in 26 member states from August to September, with Sweden again leading the way at 13.8%. Poland followed at 9.7%, with Estonia close behind at 9.5%. The smallest increases were recorded in Cyprus at 3.8%, Romania at 4.2%, and Slovenia at 4.6%. Despite experiencing some of the lowest annual increases, Sweden saw both the biggest monthly surge in diesel and petrol prices. Meanwhile, Cyprus’s annual growth remained below the EU average.
Rising energy costs have contributed to higher consumer prices across Europe this year. Euro area inflation reached 3.3% in August, primarily driven by energy expenses. The Bank of Italy recently projected that oil prices will average $114 per barrel in the fourth quarter of 2026. Eurostat is expected to release additional price data in the upcoming weeks, with fuel costs remaining a crucial factor influencing household budgets and the operations of transport companies.