Brussels – Fuel prices continue to rise across the European Union, with September 2026 reaching a 31.4 per cent year-on-year increase. This figure underscores the gravity of the situation the EU faces, which has led to protests in EU countries, including Italy, over the high cost of living. Data published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, show objective grounds for concern regarding these price rises. The increase in September follows those already recorded in July (+16.9 per cent) and August (+23.8 per cent), confirming an acceleration in prices compared with the same period in 2025.
In September, year-on-year increases were higher than those recorded in July and August in 26 EU countries. Malta is the only Member State not to have recorded any change compared with 2025. The highest increases were recorded in Bulgaria (+42.2 per cent), Estonia (+40.6 per cent) and Lithuania (+40.2 per cent), the only three countries to exceed the 40 per cent threshold. Twelve other Member States recorded price rises of over 30 per cent, ranging from 37.5 per cent in the Czech Republic to 30.3 per cent in Portugal.
The smallest increases were recorded in Hungary (+6.9 per cent), Ireland (+17.7 per cent) and Sweden (+19.9 per cent). Italy lies below the European average, but price rises have also accelerated there over the summer. The year-on-year increase rose from 12.5 per cent in July to 20.3 per cent in August, reaching 26.7 per cent in September.
The increases recorded over the past month also played a part. Between August and September 2026, diesel prices in the EU rose by 5.9 per cent, while petrol prices grew by 6.7 per cent. This acceleration follows the monthly increases in August, when the price of diesel had risen by 8.3 per cent and that of petrol by 3.3 per cent compared with July.
For diesel, the sharpest monthly price rises were recorded in Sweden (+12.8 per cent), Latvia (+10.3 per cent) and Poland (+9.7 per cent). The smallest increases were in Spain (+2.4 per cent), Croatia (+2.5 per cent) and Romania (+3 per cent). Overall, diesel prices rose in 26 EU countries. Italy saw a 6 per cent rise.
Also for petrol, 26 Member States recorded price rises between August and September. Sweden tops the list with a 13.8 per cent increase, followed by Poland (+9.7 per cent) and Estonia (+9.5 per cent). The smallest increases were recorded in Cyprus (+3.8 per cent), Romania (+4.2 per cent) and Slovenia (+4.6 per cent). Italy recorded a 4.8 per cent increase.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
