BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – In September, Bulgaria experienced the highest year-on-year rise in fuel prices among European Union member states, with overall costs increasing by 31.4%. The prices for fuels and lubricants used in personal transportation in Bulgaria jumped by 42.2%. This EU-wide statistic was published by Eurostat on October 21. The figures show a clear acceleration from July’s 16.9% and August’s 23.8% increases.
Estonia and Lithuania were the only other countries with annual increases exceeding 40%, at 40.6% and 40.2%, respectively. Additionally, 12 more nations recorded growth rates over 30%. Among these, increases ranged from 37.5% in Czechia to 30.3% in Portugal. In September, 26 EU countries saw the annual rate surpass those of July and August. This trend indicates that inflationary pressures are spreading throughout nearly the entire bloc.
On the other hand, Hungary experienced the smallest annual increase at 6.9%, followed by Ireland at 17.7%, which was significantly lower. Sweden’s prices rose by 19.9%, while Cyprus, where costs increased by 24.6%, also remained below the EU average. These figures cover fuels and lubricants purchased by households for personal vehicles and form part of the EU’s harmonized consumer price data.
Continued Monthly Growth in Diesel and Petrol Prices
Compared to August, consumers across the EU paid 5.9% more for diesel in September. During the same period, petrol prices increased by 6.7%. In August, diesel had risen by 8.3% and petrol by 3.3% compared to July. Notably, petrol prices surpassed diesel in September, becoming the faster-increasing fuel that month. These price hikes contribute to the ongoing road fuel expenses faced by EU drivers this year. Eurostat compiled these figures from national consumer price data.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced rising diesel prices. The most significant monthly increases occurred in Sweden at 12.8%, Latvia at 10.3%, and Poland at 9.7%. Spain recorded the smallest rise at 2.4%, followed by Croatia at 2.5% and Romania at 3.0%. All other countries with rising prices saw increases above 3%. Variations in national taxes and market conditions influence how quickly these price changes are passed on to consumers at the pump.
Sweden and Poland See the Largest Petrol Price Hikes
Over the month, petrol prices increased in 26 EU member states. Sweden experienced the highest jump at 13.8%. Poland and Estonia followed with increases of 9.7% and 9.5%. The smallest increase was in Cyprus at 3.8%, with Romania at 4.2% and Slovenia at 4.6%. Both Poland and Sweden ranked among the top three countries for both diesel and petrol price increases in September, with Sweden leading both lists.
The escalation in fuel costs occurs amid rising energy prices that are impacting consumers across Europe. Inflation in the euro area reached 3.3% in August, driven by energy costs. The Bank of Italy forecasts that oil prices will average $114 a barrel in the final quarter of 2026. These higher fuel prices put additional pressure on household budgets and increase expenses related to transportation and logistics. Eurostat’s upcoming monthly reports will reveal whether this upward trend continues. Fuel remains one of the most visible components of household expenditure.