UAE October Fuel Prices: What Motorists Should Know Before the September 30 Announcement

The UAE Fuel Price Committee will announce October 2026 petrol and diesel prices on Wednesday, September 30, with the new rates taking effect the following day, Thursday, October 1. Until then, October’s numbers are predictions only — nothing is confirmed. Here is what drivers in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates should know ahead of the announcement.

September 2026 fuel prices: the confirmed rates

September’s prices, set by the committee on August 31 and effective from September 1, rose across all four grades. Every petrol grade climbed 20 fils a litre, while diesel jumped 50 fils — a 13% rise in a single month:

  • Super 98: Dhs3.80 per litre (up from Dhs3.60)
  • Special 95: Dhs3.69 per litre (up from Dhs3.49)
  • E-Plus 91: Dhs3.61 per litre (up from Dhs3.41)
  • Diesel: Dhs4.30 per litre (up from Dhs3.80)

September marked the third consecutive monthly increase for petrol since the July low, when Special 95 sat at Dhs3.29. For a 60-litre tank of Special 95 — the grade most UAE sedans and SUVs run on — that is roughly Dhs12 more per fill than in August.

Why October’s announcement matters

UAE fuel prices are reviewed monthly and track international oil markets rather than being fixed, as some countries in the region still do. That means pump prices in the Emirates move directly with global energy trends — and September was a volatile month.

Brent crude traded above $100 a barrel during September, Time Out Dubai reported. The average cost of crude through September is the key indicator for October’s direction — though the committee also weighs regional supply dynamics and operating costs, so high crude does not guarantee a rise.

Fuel nozzle at a petrol pump in the UAE with price display
September’s rates — Super 98 at Dhs3.80 and diesel at Dhs4.30 — remain in force until the October announcement.

How the UAE sets its fuel prices

Fuel in the UAE was deregulated on August 1, 2015. Since then, the Fuel Price Committee — chaired by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, with fuel companies including ADNOC Distribution, ENOC and Emarat participating — reviews prices each month and announces the new rate in the last days of the month, as tracked here with the full price history.

Two things worth knowing:

  • The price is national. It is identical at every station in all seven emirates, so filling up in another emirate saves you nothing.
  • Nobody discounts it. ADNOC, ENOC and EPPCO all sell at the committee’s rate. Loyalty schemes earn points, not a lower price per litre.

Practical tips before October 1

The days before the announcement are when timing a fill-up matters most — though with October’s direction unconfirmed, any decision is a judgment call:

  • Long road trips planned? Check the announcement on September 30 before deciding whether to fill up that evening. Tourists hiring cars should budget using September rates; see our Dubai trip cost guide for typical driving expenses.
  • Diesel drivers: diesel at Dhs4.30 is now comfortably the most expensive fuel at the pump — ahead of Super 98 — so fleet and 4×4 owners feel month-to-month moves most sharply.
  • Using taxis instead? Pump-price moves feed into running costs across the board. Our Dubai taxi guide covers fares and alternatives like the metro — grab a nol card for public transport.
Dubai highway with evening traffic and illuminated skyline
Driving in Dubai? October’s rates land on Thursday, October 1 — check the committee’s announcement the evening before.

Fuel is only one line of the travel budget — and with new commercial-vehicle rules like October’s peak-hour truck ban reshaping road traffic, it is worth planning journeys ahead.

Frequently asked questions

When will the UAE announce October 2026 fuel prices?

The Fuel Price Committee is expected to announce the October rates on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, with the new prices taking effect from Thursday, October 1.

What are the current (September 2026) UAE fuel prices?

Super 98: Dhs3.80 per litre. Special 95: Dhs3.69. E-Plus 91: Dhs3.61. Diesel: Dhs4.30. These rates are confirmed and apply until the October announcement.

Will UAE fuel prices rise or fall in October 2026?

That is unconfirmed. Brent crude traded above $100 a barrel in September, which has historically pointed toward higher pump prices — but the committee weighs multiple factors, and October’s rates are predictions only until announced.

Are fuel prices the same across all emirates?

Yes. The committee sets one national rate, so a pump in Fujairah charges exactly what a pump in Dubai charges. ADNOC, ENOC and EPPCO all sell at the same price.

How often does the UAE change fuel prices?

Monthly. The UAE deregulated fuel on August 1, 2015, and since then the Fuel Price Committee has reviewed and adjusted retail prices each month in line with global oil markets.