According to data released by Eurostat on September 22, fuel prices for individual transportation have risen by 23.8% in the European Union between August 2025 and August 2026. This significant increase has affected 26 of the 27 EU member states, with Malta being the exception. The rise in fuel prices has been particularly pronounced in certain countries, with Bulgaria experiencing a 34.5% increase, Lithuania 28.8%, Finland 27.6%, Germany 27.5%, and France 27.4%.
The increase in fuel prices has not been uniform across the EU, with 18 countries experiencing rises of over 20%. In contrast, Hungary saw a relatively modest increase of 1.3%, while Sweden, Ireland, and Estonia recorded increases of 6.1%, 11.7%, and 14%, respectively. Greece, which has been experiencing economic challenges, saw a 16% rise in fuel prices over the past year. The data also shows that fuel prices have continued to rise over the past month, with diesel prices increasing by 8.3% and petrol prices by 3.3% between July and August 2026.
The rise in diesel prices was particularly notable, with 26 EU countries experiencing an increase. The largest increases were seen in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, and Luxembourg, with rises of 14.3%, 13.5%, and 12.3%, respectively. In contrast, Italy, Romania, and the Netherlands saw more modest increases of 5.2%, 6.1%, and 6.2%, respectively. The price of petrol also increased in 22 EU countries between July and August, with the largest rises seen in Spain, Romania, Italy, and Cyprus.
The increase in fuel prices is likely to have significant implications for households and businesses across the EU. The rise in fuel costs will directly affect transportation expenses for households and increase costs for businesses. This, in turn, may lead to higher prices for other goods and services as transportation and logistics costs rise. The data from Eurostat is based on the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and specifically relates to fuels and lubricants for individual transportation equipment.
The acceleration in fuel price rises has been notable over the summer of 2026, with annual increases of 13.7% in June and 16.9% in July. The latest data from Eurostat suggests that this trend is continuing, with significant implications for the European economy. The rise in fuel prices is also likely to have a disproportionate impact on certain countries and households, particularly those with limited financial resources.
The EU countries with the highest increases in fuel prices over the past year have been largely located in Eastern and Central Europe. Bulgaria, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic have seen some of the largest rises, which may reflect their geographic location and transportation infrastructure. In contrast, countries such as Hungary and Sweden have seen more modest increases, which may be due to differences in taxation, transportation networks, or other factors.
The impact of rising fuel prices on the European economy will be closely watched by policymakers and analysts in the coming months. The European Union has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources, which may be affected by changes in fuel prices. The data from Eurostat provides valuable insights into the trends and patterns in fuel prices across the EU, which will be essential for informing policy decisions and business strategies.
Key points
- Fuel prices in the EU have risen by 23.8% over the past year, with significant increases in 18 countries.
- The rise in fuel prices is likely to have significant implications for households and businesses across the EU.
- The acceleration in fuel price rises has been notable over the summer of 2026.
