site.btaFuel Prices in Bulgaria Rose in March, but Below EU, Eurozone Averages

After a period of decline through February, prices of fuels and lubricants for personal transport in the EU rose significantly in March 2026, according to the latest Eurostat data. On an annual basis, fuel prices increased by 12.9% in the EU and 13.4% in the eurozone compared to March 2025, with nearly all member states reporting price growth. Month-on-month, prices rose by 13.5% in both the EU and the eurozone.

The largest annual increases were recorded in Germany (19.8%), Romania (19.6%), the Netherlands (18.8%), Latvia (18.5%), and Austria (17.2%). Declines were seen only in Hungary (-2.7%) and Slovenia (-5.9%), following even steeper drops in February (-11.1% and -9.6%, respectively).

In Bulgaria, fuel and lubricant prices rose by 6%, year-on-year, in March, after a 7.6% decline in February. On a monthly basis, prices increased by 12.7% compared to February, following a marginal 0.3% rise the previous month.

Looking at specific fuels, diesel and petrol prices in the EU were up by 19.8% and 9.4%, year-on-year, respectively. In the eurozone, the increases were 19.9% for diesel and 9.7% for petrol. Compared to February, diesel prices rose by 19.1% and petrol by 10.6% in the EU, while in the eurozone the increases were 18.9% and 10.4%.

All EU member states recorded month-on-month price increases for both fuels in March.

For diesel, the highest monthly increases were observed in Czechia and Sweden (both 27.6%), Estonia (26.8%), Latvia (25.4%), Belgium (25.2%), and the Netherlands (25.1%). The smallest increases were in Slovenia (2.9%), Slovakia and Hungary (both 7%). In Bulgaria, diesel prices rose by 16.9% month-on-month in March and by 11.5%, year-on-year.

For petrol, the largest monthly increases were recorded in Belgium (15.1%), Sweden (15%), Austria (14.8%), the Czech Republic (14.6%), and Estonia and Lithuania (both 14.2%). The lowest increases were in Slovenia (2.4%), Slovakia (3.8%), Hungary (4.7%), and Italy (4.8%). In Bulgaria, petrol prices rose by 9.9%, month-on-month, and by 3.4% compared to March 2025.