In September 2026, Bulgaria experienced the European Union’s highest annual increase in fuel prices, with a staggering rise of 42.2% in costs for fuels and lubricants used in personal transport compared to the same month the previous year. This significant hike placed Bulgaria ahead of other EU countries grappling with similar issues. Estonia and Lithuania followed closely with increases of 40.6% and 40.2%, respectively.
Across the EU, the overall annual increase in fuel prices reached 31.4% in September, marking a sharp acceleration from 16.9% in July and 23.8% in August. Among EU countries, Hungary recorded the smallest annual increase at 6.9%, while Ireland and Sweden saw rises of 17.7% and 19.9%, respectively.
Monthly data highlighted further fluctuations, with diesel and petrol prices climbing by 5.9% and 6.7% between August and September. Sweden experienced the most significant monthly increases, with diesel prices surging by 12.8% and petrol by 13.8%.
In Bulgaria, the upward trend in fuel prices has been evident since February 2026. The average price for A95 petrol jumped from €1.26 per litre on February 27 to €1.65 by October 21. Similarly, diesel prices increased from €1.29 to €1.91 per litre during the same period, underscoring the ongoing pressure on consumers in the region.