Overview
On a long drive from Ukraine into the EU, careful planning of fuel stops and road tolls can save a significant amount of money. This week, 🇭🇺 Hungary has the cheapest diesel among the countries we track, at about €1.831 per litre. The most useful tip is simple: fill up in a cheaper country right before you cross into a more expensive one. Fuel prices update weekly, so the ranking below can change and you should always check the live numbers before you leave.
Where fuel is cheapest right now
The table shows the 12 countries with the cheapest diesel this week, based on the latest fuel prices across Europe. All prices are approximate and converted to euros so that you can compare them directly.
| # | Country | Diesel €/l | Petrol 95 €/l | LPG €/l |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇭🇺 Hungary | 1.831 | 1.609 | 0.862 |
| 2 | 🇭🇷 Croatia | 1.868 | 1.764 | 0.885 |
| 3 | 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 1.916 | 1.663 | — |
| 4 | 🇪🇸 Spain | 1.926 | 1.932 | 1.094 |
| 5 | 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 1.94 | 1.748 | 0.989 |
| 6 | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 1.96 | 1.827 | 0.775 |
| 7 | 🇨🇿 Czechia | 2.029 | 1.855 | 0.863 |
| 8 | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 2.044 | 2.335 | 0.84 |
| 9 | 🇸🇪 Sweden | 2.09 | 1.58 | — |
| 10 | 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 2.11 | 1.85 | — |
| 11 | 🇵🇱 Poland | 2.115 | 1.875 | 0.75 |
| 12 | 🇷🇴 Romania | 2.202 | 2.018 | 0.829 |
Note: these prices are approximate and converted to EUR for comparison. The live fuel prices page shows current prices in the local currency for each country and city.
A few details stand out. The current fuel price in Bulgaria is €1.916 for diesel and €1.663 for petrol 95, which makes it a good stop on southern routes. In 🇭🇷 Croatia, diesel costs about €1.868; see the Croatia fuel page for local prices. If you drive to the Iberian Peninsula, the fuel price in Spain is currently €1.926 for diesel. Current gas prices in the Netherlands show a clear gap between fuel types: diesel is €2.044, but petrol 95 is €2.335. For LPG, 🇵🇱 Poland is the cheapest this week at €0.75.
For comparison, diesel in 🇺🇦 Ukraine costs about €2.233 (98.8 UAH). Several countries are much more expensive than the table above. Diesel costs about €2.24 in Austria, €2.37 in Italy, €2.388 in France and €2.433 in Germany. 🇳🇴 Norway is the most expensive country in our data at €2.709. To compare prices in UAH, PLN and EUR at today's rates, use the currency calculator.
Smart fuelling strategy
Fill up before an expensive border. The best way to save is to fill your tank in the cheaper country right before you cross into a more expensive one. For example, fill up in 🇵🇱 Poland (diesel €2.115) before you enter 🇩🇪 Germany (diesel €2.433). On a southern route, fill up in 🇭🇺 Hungary or 🇸🇮 Slovenia before you enter 🇦🇹 Austria or 🇮🇹 Italy.
Top off in Ukraine when it makes sense. If your route does not pass through one of the cheapest countries, fill the tank to the maximum before you leave Ukraine.
Avoid motorway fuel stations. Stations directly on motorways usually charge 15–20% more. A 5-minute detour into a nearby town often gives you a noticeably lower price.
Look for supermarket fuel stations. In Western Europe, fuel stations next to supermarkets are almost always the cheapest in the area.
Tolls and vignettes across Europe
European countries charge passenger cars (up to 3.5 t) for motorway use in three different ways. Before you go, check the vignette and toll overview for each country on your route.
Vignette countries — buy a digital pass before you cross
A vignette is a pre-paid digital pass for the motorway network. You buy it online and link it to your license plate. Cameras scan the license plate, so there is no sticker and no booth. If you drive without a valid vignette, you risk a fine. Buy the pass from the official website before the border crossing.
| Country | Cheapest transit pass | Buy online |
|---|---|---|
| 🇷🇴 Romania | 3.5 EUR (1 day) | roviniete.ro |
| 🇲🇩 Moldova | 4 EUR (7 days) — no 1-day option | evinieta.gov.md |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | 4.09 EUR (1 day) | bgtoll.bg |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 8.1 EUR (1 day) | eznamka.sk |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 9.2 EUR (1 day) | edalnice.cz |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 9.6 EUR (1 day) | shop.asfinag.at |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 14 EUR (1 day) | nemzetiutdij.hu |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | 16 EUR (7 days) — no 1-day option | evinjeta.dars.si |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 42.5 CHF (annual) — no 1-day option, annual only | e-vignette.ch |
Most vignette countries offer a 1-day transit pass. This week, three countries do not: Moldova and Slovenia (shortest pass is 7 days) and Switzerland (annual pass only).
Pay-per-kilometre (toll booths)
In these countries, you take a ticket when you enter the motorway and pay at the booth when you exit:
- 🇷🇸 Serbia — ticket on entry, pay on exit (cash or card).
- 🇮🇹 Italy — ticket on entry, pay on exit. One of the most expensive networks in Europe.
- 🇫🇷 France — ticket/barrier system on most motorways (autoroutes). Expensive, so plan your budget.
- 🇭🇷 Croatia — ticket on entry, pay on exit. Tariffs are higher in the summer season.
- 🇵🇹 Portugal — a mix of classic toll booths and electronic-only (Via Verde) motorways. Get a transponder for electronic-only roads.
- 🇵🇱 Poland — state motorways are free for cars. The private A1, A2 and A4 concessions charge at booths or through the Autopay app.
Italy, France and Croatia are the most expensive toll countries on this list. Include these costs in your budget.
Toll-free for cars
In 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇧🇪 Belgium and 🇳🇱 Netherlands, motorways are free for passenger cars. Rare exceptions apply to some tunnels and bridges.
Plan your trip
First, find the cheapest fuel country on your route and plan your main refuel there. Use the route planner to see which countries you will cross. Second, buy all vignettes online before you leave. This saves time and helps you avoid border queues. Third, combine fuel and toll costs in the trip cost calculator to estimate the total cost of your journey. Remember that fuel prices change every week, so check the live page again shortly before departure.
Useful tools
- Live Fuel Prices Across Europe — country & city prices, updated regularly
- European Vignettes & Tolls — e-vignette prices and official links
- Route Planner — plan your drive with fuel and toll stops
- Car Drivers Portal — all driving tools in one place
- Trip Cost Calculator — estimate fuel, toll and total trip expenses
- Currency Calculator — UAH, PLN, EUR and more live rates
Source: nakordoni.eu — Fuel Prices & Tolls | Updated: 30.09.2026