BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – In September, Bulgaria experienced the most significant surge in fuel prices within the European Union, with an overall increase of 31.4% compared to the same month last year. The cost of fuels and lubricants used for personal transportation in Bulgaria soared by 42.2%. This data was released by Eurostat on October 21 and indicates a notable acceleration from 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August.
Estonia and Lithuania were the only other EU member states with annual increases exceeding 40%, at 40.6% and 40.2%. Additionally, 12 countries experienced price hikes of more than 30%. Among these, increases ranged from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. In September, 26 EU nations recorded annual growth rates higher than those observed in July and August, illustrating how inflationary pressures are spreading throughout nearly the entire bloc.
Conversely, Hungary recorded the smallest annual rise at 6.9%, followed by Ireland at 17.7%, and Sweden at 19.9%. Cyprus, with a 24.6% increase, remained below the EU average. These figures cover the fuels and lubricants purchased by households for cars and other personal vehicles and are part of the EU’s harmonized consumer price index.
Ongoing Monthly Increases in Diesel and Petrol Prices
Compared to August, EU consumers paid 5.9% more for diesel in September. Petrol prices rose by 6.7% during the same period. The previous month saw an 8.3% increase for diesel and a 3.3% rise for petrol compared to July. As a result, petrol surpassed diesel as the faster-growing fuel in September. These price hikes contribute to the road fuel costs faced by EU drivers this year. Eurostat compiled these figures based on national consumer price data.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced higher diesel prices, with the most substantial monthly increases occurring in Sweden at 12.8%, Latvia at 10.3%, and Poland at 9.7%. Spain reported the smallest rise at 2.4%, followed by Croatia at 2.5% and Romania at 3.0%. All other countries with increases saw monthly growth rates above 3%. Variations in taxes and market conditions across nations influence how quickly these price changes impact consumers at the pump.
Sweden and Poland Top the List for Petrol Price Hikes
Over the same period, petrol prices increased in 26 EU member states. Sweden experienced the highest jump at 13.8%. Following were Poland with 9.7% and Estonia at 9.5%. Cyprus saw the smallest increase at 3.8%, with Romania at 4.2% and Slovenia at 4.6%. Notably, Poland ranked among the top three countries for both diesel and petrol price increases in September. Sweden also led in both categories, marking a significant trend.
This rise in fuel costs coincides with energy prices weighing heavily on consumers across Europe. Inflation in the euro area reached 3.3% in August, driven largely by energy prices. The Bank of Italy forecasts that oil will average $114 a barrel in the last quarter of 2026. These higher fuel prices impact household budgets, as well as transportation and logistics expenses. Eurostat’s upcoming monthly reports will reveal whether these increases persist. Fuel remains one of the most visible components of household spending across the EU.