What is the petrol price in Romania in 2026?

Romania's average petrol (benzină 95) price in 2026 is approximately RON 7.50–8.50 per litre (~€1.50–1.70/l at RON/EUR ~5.0). Diesel prices are approximately RON 7.00–8.00/l (~€1.40–1.60/l). Romanian pump prices are below the EU average, reflecting the country's status as a regional oil and refining hub (Petromidia, Petrotel-Lukoil refineries), lower per-capita income adjusting real fuel burden, and excise rates closer to EU minimum thresholds than Western European levels.

Does Romania produce its own crude oil?

Yes. Romania has been producing oil and gas since the 1850s and is central Europe's oldest producing nation. In 2026, Romanian crude oil production is approximately 60,000–70,000 barrels per day — modest by global standards but meaningful for domestic supply security. Romania's crude comes primarily from onshore fields in Muntenia (Ploiești region) and Oltenia. OMV Petrom (now under OMV Austria and Petrom) is the dominant operator. Romania also has Black Sea offshore gas reserves (Neptun Deep project, developed by OMV Petrom and Romgaz) that are important for regional gas supply. Domestic crude production covers approximately 25–30% of Romania's refinery requirements; the remainder is imported, primarily from Black Sea tanker routes.

How does Romania compare to Bulgaria and Hungary on fuel prices?

Romania's petrol prices (~€1.50–1.70/l) are broadly similar to Bulgaria (~€1.45–1.65/l) and Hungary (~€1.50–1.70/l). All three are significantly below Western European prices (France ~€1.75/l, Germany ~€1.70/l) due to lower excise rates and lower income levels that historically kept excise below EU upper norms. Hungary has at various times implemented fuel price caps (most recently 2022–2023) that distorted market prices temporarily. Bulgaria's excise is near EU minimums. Romania has consistently applied market pricing without major price controls in recent years. Cross-border fuel flows within southeastern EU are modest because prices are broadly similar across the region.

Romania Fuel Prices 2026

Published 1 September 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026

Romania is central Europe's oldest oil producing nation and operates two significant refineries — making it a regional fuel supplier to southeastern EU markets. In 2026, Romanian petrol (benzină 95) prices are approximately RON 7.50–8.50/l (~€1.50–1.70/l), below the EU average, reflecting domestic production, lower excise rates, and a refining sector that reduces import dependence.

For Central-Eastern European context, see our Poland fuel prices 2026 and our Czech Republic fuel prices 2026. For the EU-wide view, see our Europe fuel prices 2026 overview.

Romanian pump prices 2026

Fuel	Price (RON/l)	Price (€/l approx.)
Benzină 95 (E5/E10 petrol)	RON 7.50–8.50	~€1.50–1.70
Benzină 98 (premium)	RON 8.00–9.00	~€1.60–1.80
Motorină (diesel B7)	RON 7.00–8.00	~€1.40–1.60
GPL (LPG autogas)	RON 3.50–4.20	~€0.70–0.84

Romania's domestic crude oil production

Romania has produced crude oil since the 1850s — among the world's first commercial petroleum industries. Current production (approximately 60,000–70,000 b/d) feeds directly into domestic refineries, providing some insulation from global crude price swings:

OMV Petrom (majority held by Austria's OMV, minority by Romanian state and Petrom SA) operates the Brazi and Petrobrazi refineries and is the primary upstream producer
Onshore fields in the Carpathian foothills region (Ploiești/Prahova, Dâmbovița, Gorj) are mature with declining production
Black Sea offshore: Neptun Deep (OMV Petrom + Romgaz partnership) is Romania's major near-term production growth prospect — developing natural gas reserves for both domestic use and potential LNG export

Romania's refining sector

Romania operates two major refineries:

Petromidia (Navodari, Black Sea coast): Operated by Rompetrol (KMG International/Kazmunaigaz group); capacity ~5 million tonnes/year; complex configuration; export-oriented
Petrotel-Lukoil (Ploiești): Operated by Lukoil Romania; capacity ~3.5 million tonnes/year; has faced operational challenges in 2024–2025 related to Russian crude supply post-sanctions

For tanker context on crude supply to Black Sea refineries, see our oil tanker glossary entry. For the broader Russian crude sanctions context affecting Romanian refinery supplies, see our Russia oil sanctions 2026.

Southeastern Europe fuel price comparison 2026

Country	Petrol 95 (€/l approx.)	Key note
Hungary	~€1.50–1.70	Market pricing post-2023 cap removal; 27% VAT
Romania	~€1.50–1.70	19% VAT; domestic refining; EU minimum excise approach
Bulgaria	~€1.45–1.65	20% VAT; lowest excise in SEE region
Serbia (non-EU)	~€1.55–1.75	Dinar-denominated; state oil company NIS (Gazprom subsidiary) dominant
Moldova (non-EU)	~€1.40–1.60	Lower purchasing power; dependent on Romanian/Ukrainian supply

Hungary's 2022–2023 fuel price cap experience
Hungary imposed a strict retail fuel price cap of HUF 480/l (~€1.22/l) from November 2021 to July 2023 to protect households from rising fuel costs. While politically popular, the cap caused supply shortages (MOL the dominant refiner reduced domestic supply as below-cost selling was unattractive), cross-border fuel arbitrage from Hungary to neighbouring countries, and a significant fiscal subsidy burden. Romania and Bulgaria benefited from Hungarian motorists crossing their borders to buy uncapped fuel. Hungary's experience is a textbook case of the economic distortions from binding fuel price ceilings. See our price ceiling glossary entry.

Frequently asked questions

What is the petrol price in Romania in 2026? Romanian benzină 95 is approximately RON 7.50–8.50/l (~€1.50–1.70/l) in 2026. Diesel is RON 7.00–8.00/l. Below EU average due to domestic crude production, two operational refineries (Petromidia, Petrotel-Lukoil), relatively low excise approaching EU minimums, and 19% VAT.: Romanian benzină 95 is approximately RON 7.50–8.50/l (~€1.50–1.70/l) in 2026. Diesel is RON 7.00–8.00/l. Below EU average due to domestic crude production, two operational refineries (Petromidia, Petrotel-Lukoil), relatively low excise approaching EU minimums, and 19% VAT.
Does Romania produce its own crude oil? Yes — Romania is Europe's oldest petroleum producer (since the 1850s) and still produces ~60,000–70,000 b/d from mature onshore fields (Ploiești region) via OMV Petrom. This covers ~25–30% of domestic refinery needs. Romania's major near-term growth prospect is the offshore Neptun Deep gas project (OMV Petrom + Romgaz) in the Black Sea.: Yes — Romania is Europe's oldest petroleum producer (since the 1850s) and still produces ~60,000–70,000 b/d from mature onshore fields (Ploiești region) via OMV Petrom. This covers ~25–30% of domestic refinery needs. Romania's major near-term growth prospect is the offshore Neptun Deep gas project (OMV Petrom + Romgaz) in the Black Sea.
How does Romania compare to Bulgaria and Hungary on fuel prices? Romania (~€1.50–1.70/l), Bulgaria (~€1.45–1.65/l), and Hungary (~€1.50–1.70/l) are broadly similar — all below Western European prices. Hungary's 27% VAT partially offsets its lower excise. Bulgaria has the lowest excise in the region. All three are significantly cheaper than Germany (~€1.70/l) or France (~€1.75/l). Note Hungary's 2022–2023 price cap caused temporary distortions and cross-border flow to Romania and Bulgaria.: Romania (~€1.50–1.70/l), Bulgaria (~€1.45–1.65/l), and Hungary (~€1.50–1.70/l) are broadly similar — all below Western European prices. Hungary's 27% VAT partially offsets its lower excise. Bulgaria has the lowest excise in the region. All three are significantly cheaper than Germany (~€1.70/l) or France (~€1.75/l). Note Hungary's 2022–2023 price cap caused temporary distortions and cross-border flow to Romania and Bulgaria.