BRUSSELS, Belgium / EuroWire.IO / – In September, Bulgaria experienced the most significant increase in fuel prices within the European Union, as expenses across the bloc surged by 31.4% compared to the previous year. Prices for fuels and lubricants used in personal transportation in Bulgaria soared by 42.2%. The Eurostat data published on October 21 revealed this. It marked a quickening from the 16.9% rise in July and 23.8% in August.
Estonia and Lithuania were the only other EU nations with annual increases exceeding 40%, at 40.6% and 40.2%. Twelve additional countries reported increases above 30%. Among these, Czechia saw a 37.5% rise, while Portugal’s increase was 30.3%. In September, 26 EU countries had annual growth rates higher than those in July and August. This trend indicates that fuel price pressure is spreading throughout nearly the entire region.
Hungary experienced the smallest annual increase at 6.9%. Ireland followed at 17.7%, with Sweden recording a 19.9% rise. Cyprus, where prices increased by 24.6%, stayed below the EU average. These figures pertain to fuels and lubricants purchased by households for cars and personal vehicles, forming part of the EU’s harmonized consumer price index.
Ongoing monthly increases in diesel and petrol prices
Compared to August, September saw EU consumers pay 5.9% more for diesel. Petrol prices rose by 6.7% during the same period. The previous month, diesel had increased by 8.3%, and petrol by 3.3%, compared to July. Notably, petrol became the faster-rising fuel in September. These increases add to the ongoing road fuel costs faced by EU drivers this year. Eurostat based its figures on national consumer price data.
Between August and September, 26 EU countries experienced diesel price hikes. Sweden recorded the highest monthly increase at 12.8%, followed by Latvia at 10.3% and Poland at 9.7%. Spain’s rise was the smallest at 2.4%, with Croatia at 2.5% and Romania at 3.0%. All other countries with increases had monthly changes over 3%. Variations in taxes and market conditions influence how quickly these price changes reach consumers at the pump.
Sweden and Poland top the charts for petrol price increases
Over the month, 26 EU nations saw petrol prices rise. Sweden experienced the largest jump at 13.8%. Poland and Estonia followed with increases of 9.7% and 9.5%. Cyprus had the smallest increase at 3.8%, with Romania at 4.2% and Slovenia at 4.6%. Poland ranked among the top three countries for both diesel and petrol price increases in September. Sweden led in both categories as well.
The escalation in fuel prices comes amid rising energy costs impacting consumers throughout Europe. Inflation in the euro area reached 3.3% in August, driven by energy prices. The Bank of Italy forecasts oil averaging $114 a barrel in the last quarter of 2026. Higher fuel costs influence household budgets and increase transport and logistics expenses. Eurostat’s upcoming monthly reports will reveal whether these increases persist. Fuel remains a prominent item in household expenditures.