Romania’s diesel nears 10 lei/L as Gulf tensions push European fuel prices higher

Analysts warn that Romania’s diesel price could break the 10 lei per litre barrier in September if the conflict in the Gulf escalates, with Brent crude trading around 84‑86 USD per barrel. In the first four months of 2026 Romanian gasoline rose about 20 % and diesel about 28 % compared with the same period in 2025, yet consumption remained strong – diesel use climbed 21 % in March despite a near‑31 % price increase. The Association of Intelligent Energy (AEI) stresses that strategic oil reserves are lower than earlier in the year, making the market more vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

In Moldova, the National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) announced higher retail margins from 1 August, adding a 0.48‑lei per litre surcharge to fund emergency petroleum stocks, while maximum retail prices for gasoline and diesel were set at 28.53 lei and 27.11 lei respectively. Prices rose again on 17 July, with diesel up 45 bani per litre.

The Czech Republic ended its temporary price caps on 20 July, leading to weekly fuel price jumps of up to 4 CZK per litre for diesel and about 2 CZK for gasoline, as the end of the tax relief coincides with global supply concerns.

Italy reports similar upward trends, with diesel and gasoline prices posting their highest levels in months after the July 3 tax cut expired and the Hormuz crisis lifted the Brent‑to‑diesel crack spread to record levels.

Across these markets, higher oil prices, reduced strategic reserves, and geopolitical risk are driving fuel‑price inflation, increasing transport costs for households and businesses and adding pressure to already high inflation rates in the region.