Europe fuel prices before the Iran war and after the ceasefire: Where did they rise most?
Fuel prices in Europe rose rapidly following the US–Israel strike on Iran and peaked shortly afterwards. While prices declined moderately after the ceasefire, both diesel and petrol remain notably higher than pre-strike levels.
European fuel prices are still up 12% on average since the US-Israel strikes on Iran, despite a fragile ceasefire
Petrol prices across the EU rose sharply after the US and Israel struck Iran in late February 2026, and have yet to fully recover — even as a ceasefire holds.
The United States and Israel launched a series of strikes against Iran on 28 February 2026. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks across the region. Washington and Tehran agreed a ceasefire on 8 April, though it remains fragile.
Fuel prices surged globally, including in Europe, before declining moderately after the ceasefire. They remain well above pre-attack levels across much of the continent.
Based on the European Commission's Weekly Oil Bulletin, Euronews Business analysed fuel price changes across Europe, comparing prices on 23 February and 20 April 2026.
Over that period, the EU average price for petrol (Euro-super 95) rose from €1.64 to €1.83 per litre — a 12% increase.
Belgium, Czechia and Bulgaria saw the steepest rises, each up 22%. Among the EU's four largest economies, France recorded the biggest increase at 18%, followed by Germany at 15%. Italy (7%) and Spain (3%) saw more modest rises. Petrol prices were unchanged in Malta.
Greece rose 17%, while Finland and Denmark both climbed 14%. Hungary was up 13%, the Netherlands 11% and Ireland 10%.
These changes are based on euro values, so exchange rate movements may have affected results in non-euro area countries.
Diesel price rise double that of petrol
Diesel prices rose even more sharply. The EU average for gas oil climbed from €1.59 to €2.01 per litre — a 26% increase, more than double the rise in petrol.
Bulgaria recorded the steepest rise at 43%. France (36%), Estonia (35%) and Belgium (33%) each saw increases of at least a third. Diesel price inflation also exceeded 30% in Cyprus, Croatia and Latvia.
Among the major economies, France ranked second overall at 36%. Unlike petrol, Spain saw a 27% rise, above the EU average. Italy was up 24% and Germany 23%.
Malta recorded no increase in diesel prices. Hungary and Romania (both 13%) and Poland (15%) reported the smallest rises.
Petrol prices before and after the crisis
Comparing prices before the strikes and after the ceasefire shows where fuel is cheapest and most expensive across Europe.
Petrol is above €2 in several countries
As of 20 April, the Netherlands has the highest petrol price in Europe at €2.28 per litre. Denmark (€2.22), Germany (€2.11), Greece (€2.03) and France (€2.02) are also above €2.
Malta has the cheapest petrol at €1.34, followed by Poland (€1.41) and Bulgaria (€1.47). Spain has the fourth lowest price at €1.52.
Netherlands tops fuel price rankings
The Netherlands also has the highest diesel price in Europe at €2.30 per litre. Finland (€2.25), France (€2.24), Denmark (€2.22) and Belgium (€2.19) complete the top five.
France, Germany (€2.13) and Italy (€2.11) are clustered near the top among the major economies. Spain is the only large economy below the EU average on diesel.
Malta is an outlier at €1.21 per litre. The next lowest is Poland at €1.64.
Spain is the only country below the EU average in diesel prices among the largest economies. France (€2.24), Germany (€2.13) and Italy (€2.11) are close to each other, near the top.
Malta is an outlier in diesel prices at €1.21 per litre, while the next lowest is €1.64 in Poland.
Evolution of fuel prices during the crisis
Weekly prices since the start of 2026 show how the conflict drove fuel costs higher across the EU and its four largest economies.
Prices began rising in the weeks before the strikes, with petrol climbing from €1.64 per litre on 23 February to nearly €1.90 by late March, and diesel from €1.60 to over €2.06. Both fuels peaked in early April, with diesel briefly exceeding €2.10.
Following the ceasefire, prices began to ease — though both remain well above pre-strike levels.
Taxes make up a large share of fuel prices in Europe. In 2024, according to Eurostat, petrol engine vehicles accounted for 67% of new car registrations, diesel for 17% and battery-only electric vehicles for 14%.
