UAE motorists will pay more to fill up from October 1 after the country’s Fuel Price Committee approved higher petrol and diesel rates for the month, with every fuel category increasing from September.
Super 98 petrol will cost Dh4.40 a litre, up from Dh3.80 in September. Special 95 will rise to Dh4.28, compared with Dh3.69, while E-Plus 91 will increase to Dh4.21 from Dh3.61. Diesel will climb to Dh4.80 a litre, up from Dh4.30.
The October adjustment means petrol prices will rise by roughly 16% across the three grades, while diesel increases by about 11.6% compared with September. The new rates take effect on October 1, 2026.
How much more will a full tank cost?
The effect is easiest to see at the pump.
For a vehicle taking 60 litres, the October bill would be:
| Fuel | October price | Cost for 60 litres |
|---|---|---|
| Super 98 | Dh4.40/litre | Dh264 |
| Special 95 | Dh4.28/litre | Dh256.80 |
| E-Plus 91 | Dh4.21/litre | Dh252.60 |
| Diesel | Dh4.80/litre | Dh288 |
Compared with February 2026, when Super 98 was Dh2.59 a litre, Special 95 Dh2.48, E-Plus 91 Dh2.40 and diesel Dh2.72, the same 60-litre fill-up is now substantially more expensive.
The difference between February and October works out to Dh108.60 for Super 98, Dh108 for Special 95, Dh108.60 for E-Plus 91 and Dh124.80 for diesel for a 60-litre tank.
Drivers with larger tanks will see a bigger absolute difference. An 80-litre fill-up at October’s prices would cost Dh352 for Super 98, Dh342.40 for Special 95, Dh336.80 for E-Plus 91 and Dh384 for diesel.
Actual monthly spending will, of course, depend on how far a vehicle is driven, fuel efficiency and how frequently the tank is refilled.
Why UAE fuel prices move with global oil markets
The UAE changed its fuel-pricing system in August 2015, moving away from fixed subsidised prices towards a mechanism linked to international market conditions. The UAE Government says a committee reviews fuel prices each month, with the system intended to reflect global prices while taking local requirements into account.
That means international crude and refined-product markets can eventually be reflected at UAE petrol stations.
Global fuel data show how sharply energy prices moved during September. Brent crude was listed at about $94.07 a barrel on August 31, rising to $98.57 on September 7 and $108.06 on September 14 before easing to $98.10 on September 21. The same dataset put the worldwide average petrol price at $1.59 a litre on September 21.
At the September 21 international comparison point, UAE Special 95 was Dh3.69 a litre, equivalent to about $1.01. The October price of Dh4.28 is approximately $1.17 using the dirham’s dollar peg. International comparisons should be treated as indicative because countries apply different taxes, subsidies and pricing systems, and the global dataset predates the October UAE adjustment.
October prices are close to, but not above, the 2022 petrol record
Although October brings the highest petrol prices recorded in the UAE so far in 2026, the three petrol grades remain below the country’s July 2022 peak.
In July 2022, Super 98 reached Dh4.63 a litre, Special 95 Dh4.52 and E-Plus 91 Dh4.44.
October’s Super 98 price is therefore 23 fils below that previous record. Special 95 is 24 fils lower, while E-Plus 91 is 23 fils below its 2022 peak.
Diesel is different. At Dh4.80 a litre, October’s diesel price is above the July 2022 level of Dh4.76.
Higher fuel costs can affect more than motorists
The impact of higher oil and fuel prices can extend beyond the petrol station.
A 2026 Central Bank of the UAE working paper examining inflation drivers found that oil prices can feed directly into UAE inflation, particularly through transportation. The paper also found that the relationship became more pronounced after petroleum-product subsidies were removed in 2015. The CBUAE notes that working papers represent the views of their authors and not necessarily the official position of the central bank.
For households, that does not mean a 70%-plus rise in petrol from February automatically translates into a similar increase in overall living costs. Fuel is only one component of household expenditure, and the eventual effect depends on transport use, business costs and movements in other prices.
The aviation sector is also exposed to higher energy costs. The International Air Transport Association expects airlines globally to spend about $350 billion on fuel in 2026, up from $252 billion in 2025, with fuel projected to account for 31.4% of airline operating expenses.
That does not mean UAE airfares will automatically rise by the same proportion. Airlines can use fuel hedging, adjust capacity and absorb some changes in operating costs.
What happens to UAE fuel prices next?
October’s rates are determined by the monthly pricing mechanism, so future pump prices will depend on movements in international energy markets and the committee’s subsequent reviews. The UAE Government confirms that the system is reviewed monthly.
For motorists, the immediate change is straightforward: from October 1, every petrol grade and diesel will cost more than in September, with Super 98, Special 95, E-Plus 91 and diesel all above Dh4 a litre.
What are the UAE fuel prices for October 2026?
Super 98 is Dh4.40 per litre, Special 95 is Dh4.28, E-Plus 91 is Dh4.21 and diesel is Dh4.80 per litre.
When do the new UAE fuel prices take effect?
The October 2026 fuel prices take effect on October 1, 2026.
How much does a 60-litre tank cost in October?
A 60-litre fill-up costs Dh264 for Super 98, Dh256.80 for Special 95, Dh252.60 for E-Plus 91 and Dh288 for diesel.
How much have UAE petrol prices increased from September?
Super 98 rose 15.8%, Special 95 16%, and E-Plus 91 16.6% compared with September. Diesel increased 11.6%.
Why do UAE fuel prices change every month?
The UAE uses a market-linked pricing mechanism introduced after fuel-price deregulation in 2015. A government committee reviews prices monthly based on international energy-market movements and local market considerations.
Are October 2026 petrol prices higher than the UAE’s 2022 record?
No. All three petrol grades remain below their July 2022 records. However, October’s diesel price of Dh4.80 is above the July 2022 diesel rate of Dh4.76.
Can higher oil prices affect UAE inflation?
Yes. A 2026 Central Bank of the UAE working paper found evidence that oil prices directly influence UAE inflation, particularly through transportation.
