EU fuel prices rise 16.9% in July, led by 24.2% surge in Romania

Fuel and lubricant prices for personal transport in the European Union rose by an average of 16.9% in July 2026 compared to July 2025, according to Eurostat data. Romania recorded the highest annual increase in the EU at 24.2%. Other significant increases were noted in Germany and Lithuania, both at 22.9%, and Bulgaria at 22.2%. Conversely, Sweden (1.2%) and Ireland (3.2%) saw the lowest growth, while Hungary was the only member state to report a slight decrease of 0.1%.

On a monthly basis, EU consumers experienced a 4.3% increase in diesel prices and a 4.7% increase in gasoline prices between June and July. In Romania, diesel prices rose by 4.6% month-on-month, while gasoline prices decreased by 0.8%.

Separately, the European Central Bank reported that consumer inflation expectations in the euro area showed signs of easing. The median expectation for inflation over the next 12 months decreased from 3.0% in June to 2.9% in July. Expectations for inflation over three years also declined from 2.8% to 2.7%, though five-year expectations remained unchanged at 2.4%.