As of the end of March 2026, gasoline prices in Europe continue their upward trajectory, with the difference between individual countries remaining over one euro per liter, and Bulgaria ranks among the countries with lower, but already noticeably increased values.
Average gasoline levels in the EU in March 2026
According to data from specialized European platforms and the "Weekly Oil Bulletin", the average price of "Euro 95" gasoline in the EU has increased from around 1.65 euros per liter at the beginning of the month to approximately 1.78 euros per liter as of March 23, 2026. This means an increase of about 8 to 9 euro cents in less than two weeks, with gasoline becoming more expensive than diesel in a number of markets.
According to data on prices in Europe as of the week before March 30, 2026, the range for "Euro 95" gasoline is from around 1.40–1.45 euros per liter in the cheaper countries to over 2.20–2.30 euros per liter in the most expensive countries in Western and Northern Europe. This underlines the deep differences in taxation and fuel regulations between individual governments.
Where is Bulgaria compared to the rest of Europe
Bulgaria remains in the lower part of the European price ranking, but already with values that are approaching the average level for the Central and Eastern European region. According to data from international platforms, a liter of gasoline in Bulgaria cost around 1.40–1.42 euros as of March 23, 2026, with some sources indicating 1.40 euros in euro terms and 1.63 USD per liter.
Specialized fuel websites and national media report that the most widely used "A95" gasoline has increased by about 7 euro cents in just a week – from approximately 1.37 euros per liter on March 16 to around 1.44 euros per liter in the period March 20–23. "In one week, A95 gasoline increased by over 5%, and on a monthly basis, the increase is over 16%," show published data.
Thus, if the trend continues and by March 30, gasoline prices in Bulgaria will logically remain in the range of 1.40–1.45 euros per liter, which is below the EU average, but with a dynamic that is approaching that of the more expensive markets.
Which are the most and least expensive countries in Europe
Data for European markets at the end of March show that the most expensive countries for gasoline refueling remain countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Finland and Greece, where prices often exceed 2 euros per liter, in some cases reaching 2.30–2.35 euros per liter. In the Netherlands, for example, a liter of "Euro 95" is offered around 2.30–2.35 euros, while in Denmark prices are just below this threshold, but consistently above 2.20 euros per liter.
At the other end of the spectrum are the countries of Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans, where prices vary between 1.30 and 1.50 euros per liter. Examples include Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a certain extent Romania and Hungary, as well as non-EU countries such as Albania and Serbia, where, despite lower incomes, price levels are strongly influenced by global oil prices and local excise duties.
This price map clearly shows the division between the "expensive north and west" and the "more affordable southeast", with Bulgaria falling into the group of countries with a relatively lower gasoline price, but with a faster pace of increase in the last month.
Factors behind the price increase in March 2026
According to analyzes of energy platforms and official European bulletins, the increase in gasoline prices in March 2026 is due to a combination of higher crude oil prices, a recovery in demand and geopolitical tensions in key markets. "Fuel prices in the EU are sensitive to any shock in crude oil supplies, and in March there is an acceleration of the upward trend," comment analysts, cited by European energy sources.
Added to this are internal factors – changes in excise duties, national decarbonization policies and specific exchange rates, which affect the final price at the pump. In Bulgaria, the competitive environment in the fuel market, as well as the levels of warehouse stocks, also have an additional effect, which explains why local prices sometimes lag behind and at other times precede the average European trends.
Bulgaria: between a lower price and a higher increase
Although Bulgaria remains below the EU average in terms of the current price per liter of gasoline, the rate of increase in recent weeks is higher than the average for the Union. Market data show a monthly increase of over 16% for "A95", while the average price in the EU is increasing by about 10–15% in a few weeks, according to various sources.
"Bulgarian drivers feel the price increase more sharply precisely because it starts from a lower price level, and incomes remain significantly below the European average," economic observers emphasize. This means that although the absolute price of fuel is bearable compared to Western Europe, the relative burden on the family budget here is comparable, and sometimes higher.
In this context, Bulgaria finds itself in a paradoxical position: "cheap" fuels by European standards, but expensive for local incomes and with an accelerated price increase, which can hardly be offset by the growth of wages.
Prospects for the spring of 2026
Short-term forecasts of international analytical platforms indicate that in the spring of 2026, gasoline prices in Europe will likely remain at elevated levels, with some stabilization possible, but not a quick return to the values from the beginning of the year. "The risk of new price shocks remains, especially if the tension in the oil market is combined with a stronger tourist season and an increase in travel," warn energy experts.
For Bulgaria, this means that as of March 30, 2026, the country maintains a relatively advantageous position compared to most of the EU, but without the prospect of a rapid fall in fuel prices, but rather for fluctuations around current levels. Under these conditions, the topic of excise policy, market competition and energy efficiency will remain in the focus of public debate in the coming months.