What is the petrol price in Greece in 2026?

In 2026, Greek petrol (95 oktanio) averages approximately €1.80–1.95/litre on the Greek mainland. Diesel averages approximately €1.68–1.82/litre. On Greek islands, prices are typically €0.05–0.15/litre higher due to additional transport and storage costs. Greece is more expensive than most Balkan neighbours (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia) and roughly comparable to France and Germany, despite having significantly lower per-capita income — making Greek fuel a large burden on household budgets.

Why is fuel so expensive in Greece?

Greek fuel prices are high due to several compounding factors: (1) High EFAK (Eidikos Foros Analosin Kauisimon) excise duty — approximately €0.670/litre on petrol; (2) Greece's 24% VAT rate, the EU's second-highest standard rate, applied on top of excise; (3) Island surcharges for the many inhabited islands with higher logistics costs; (4) Greece has no significant domestic crude production and imports all refined products; (5) Historical tax increases during the 2010s austerity period to raise revenue. The combination of high excise, high VAT, and low average incomes makes Greece one of Europe's most fuel-unaffordable countries in relative income terms.

Is petrol more expensive on Greek islands?

Yes, generally. Greek islands — particularly smaller ones served by ferry-transported fuel — typically have petrol and diesel prices €0.05–0.15/litre higher than mainland prices. The island surcharge reflects additional logistics costs: fuel must be transported by tanker vessel from mainland terminals (primarily Aspropyrgos or Elefsina refineries near Athens) to island storage facilities, with multiple handling steps. The most remote or least frequently served islands (e.g., small Aegean islands) have the highest surcharges. Greek law limits the maximum island surcharge, but retailers are allowed to apply it in full.

Greece Fuel Prices 2026: High Tax Burden, Island Surcharges & Tourism Impact

Published 15 September 2026 · Updated 19 October 2026

Greece presents one of the starkest examples of fuel affordability challenges in the EU: pump prices are near the EU average in absolute euro terms, but with average incomes significantly below the EU27 median, Greek households spend a higher share of disposable income on fuel than almost any other EU member state. High excise duties (raised substantially during the 2010s fiscal consolidation), Greece's 24% VAT rate, and the island supply chain premium combine to make fuel a significant household and business cost.

For live Greek fuel prices, use the fuel price explorer. For a European comparison, see our Europe fuel prices 2026. For excise duty context, see our excise duty glossary entry.

Greece pump prices in 2026

Fuel / Location	EUR/litre (avg range 2026)	Notes
Amólivdi 95 (mainland)	~1.80–1.95	Standard unleaded petrol
Super 98 (mainland)	~1.90–2.05	Premium grade
Diesel (mainland)	~1.68–1.82	Road diesel
Amólivdi 95 (islands)	~1.88–2.10	Island logistics surcharge applied
Diesel (islands)	~1.75–1.95	Island logistics surcharge
Diesel heating oil	~1.10–1.30	Lower excise; for space heating only

Greek fuel tax structure

Component	95 oktanio (€/l)	Diesel (€/l)
Wholesale (product cost)	~0.55	~0.58
EFAK (excise duty)	~0.670	~0.410
Other levies (EDOE, ACRP)	~0.005	~0.005
Retail margin + distribution	~0.09	~0.09
VAT (24%)	~0.32	~0.27
Total pump price	~€1.63–1.95	~€1.55–1.82

Greece's 24% VAT is the second highest in the EU (after Hungary's 27%). Because VAT applies on top of excise — itself high — the cascade effect amplifies the tax burden substantially. For comparison, see our VAT on fuel glossary entry.

Island fuel surcharges

Greece's approximately 6,000 islands — of which around 200 are inhabited — present a unique fuel logistics challenge:

Fuel is transported by tanker vessel from mainland refineries (Aspropyrgos, Elefsina near Athens; Thessaloniki) to island storage tanks
Smaller islands with lower volume receive deliveries less frequently (weekly or fortnightly), requiring larger storage buffers
The island surcharge (nisiōtiko epitimio) is capped by regulation but varies by island — typically €0.05–0.15/l above mainland prices
Santorini, Mykonos, and other high-tourism islands tend to have the highest retail prices, partly due to real estate costs for prime-location forecourts
Tourism peak (June–August) drives significant fuel demand on islands, with ferry-transported vehicles adding substantially to island consumption

Tourism and seasonal fuel demand

Greece welcomes approximately 30–35 million international tourists per year (2025–2026), creating significant seasonal fuel demand:

Car rental fleet refuelling is a major component of island petrol demand in summer
Ferry operators and inter-island vessel operators use marine gasoil/bunker fuel — subject to different taxation
Tourism operators (coaches, taxis) contribute to diesel demand seasonality
The tourism industry's fuel cost exposure makes Greece sensitive to diesel price spikes, which feed directly into tour operator cost structures

Greece vs Balkan/Mediterranean neighbours (2026)

Country	Petrol (approx. EUR/l, 2026)	Diesel (approx. EUR/l)
Greece	~1.85	~1.75
Italy	~1.76	~1.68
Bulgaria	~1.40–1.55	~1.35–1.50
Romania	~1.35–1.45	~1.30–1.42
Albania	~1.50–1.65	~1.45–1.60
Turkey	~1.80–2.20	~1.70–2.10

Frequently asked questions

What is the petrol price in Greece in 2026? Greek petrol (95 oktanio) averages approximately €1.80–1.95/litre on the mainland in 2026. Diesel is approximately €1.68–1.82/l. Island prices are €0.05–0.15/l higher due to logistics surcharges. Despite absolute prices comparable to France or Germany, Greece's lower average incomes make fuel a proportionally larger household burden.: Greek petrol (95 oktanio) averages approximately €1.80–1.95/litre on the mainland in 2026. Diesel is approximately €1.68–1.82/l. Island prices are €0.05–0.15/l higher due to logistics surcharges. Despite absolute prices comparable to France or Germany, Greece's lower average incomes make fuel a proportionally larger household burden.
Why is fuel so expensive in Greece? Greek fuel is expensive due to: high EFAK excise (~€0.670/l petrol); 24% VAT (EU's second-highest) applied on top of excise; island logistics surcharges; no domestic crude production; and excise increases during the 2010s austerity programme. The compound effect of high excise + high VAT + low average income makes Greek fuel among the least affordable in the EU in relative income terms.: Greek fuel is expensive due to: high EFAK excise (~€0.670/l petrol); 24% VAT (EU's second-highest) applied on top of excise; island logistics surcharges; no domestic crude production; and excise increases during the 2010s austerity programme. The compound effect of high excise + high VAT + low average income makes Greek fuel among the least affordable in the EU in relative income terms.
Is petrol more expensive on Greek islands? Yes. Greek island fuel is typically €0.05–0.15/l more expensive than mainland prices. The island surcharge reflects the logistics cost of shipping fuel by vessel from mainland refineries to island storage. Smaller, more remote islands with infrequent deliveries have the highest surcharges. High-tourism islands (Santorini, Mykonos) also have higher retail prices due to real estate costs for prime-location forecourts.: Yes. Greek island fuel is typically €0.05–0.15/l more expensive than mainland prices. The island surcharge reflects the logistics cost of shipping fuel by vessel from mainland refineries to island storage. Smaller, more remote islands with infrequent deliveries have the highest surcharges. High-tourism islands (Santorini, Mykonos) also have higher retail prices due to real estate costs for prime-location forecourts.