Fuel prices across the European Union continued their sharp upward climb in April 2026, with consumers facing the steepest annual increases in years as diesel costs accelerated

across nearly every member state.

According to the latest EU data, prices for fuels and lubricants used in personal transport rose by 20.8% in April compared with the same month last year. The increase follows a 12.9% annual rise recorded in March, marking a dramatic reversal after months of declining prices seen through February 2026.

All EU countries reported higher fuel prices in April, with 15 member states posting increases exceeding 20%. Luxembourg recorded the sharpest annual jump at 33.8%, followed by France and Sweden, both at 29.3%. Latvia and Bulgaria also saw steep rises of 28.1% and 27.8% respectively.

By contrast, Hungary experienced the mildest increase at just 1.5%, while Poland and Italy recorded comparatively lower rises of 8.8% and 12.9%.

Diesel drives the surge

Diesel prices were the main force behind the latest increase. Across the EU, diesel prices surged by 33.7% year-on-year in April, significantly outpacing petrol, which rose by 13.6%.

The upward trend also intensified on a monthly basis. Compared with March 2026, diesel prices climbed 7.9% in April, while petrol prices increased 2.4%.

Every EU country recorded higher diesel prices between March and April. Slovenia posted the largest monthly increase at 23.5%, followed by Bulgaria at 19.5% and Cyprus at 18.0%. Poland, Romania and Bulgaria registered the smallest monthly gains.

Petrol prices showed a more mixed picture. Twenty-three EU countries reported increases, ranging from 12.9% in Slovenia to 1.3% in Ireland. However, Romania, Spain and Poland bucked the broader trend, recording declines in petrol prices compared with March. Photo by Coolcaesar, Wikimedia commons.