Irish fuel prices are built in three layers: the oil itself, the cost of getting it to you, and State charges. On petrol, tax and levies made up 44.6% of the average pump price in the 21 September 2026 figures. Recent rises have come mostly from the other two.
The three layers in the price
The first is the fuel. Crude and refined products trade on international markets in US dollars, so their price is set outside Ireland and a weaker euro makes the same fuel dearer here.
The second is getting it here and to your door: refining, shipping, storage, distribution and the margins of importers, suppliers and retailers.
The third is the State's share: Mineral Oil Tax (including carbon tax), the NORA levy and VAT. The first two layers together form the price before tax.
| Petrol44.6% tax and levies | 55.4% before tax |
|---|---|
| Diesel36.9% tax and levies | 63.1% before tax |
| Heating gasoil24.3% tax and levies | 75.7% before tax |
Why supply costs more in Ireland
Ireland has no oil production of its own. SEAI reports that imports supplied 100% of the country's oil and coal in 2025, and 78.2% of its energy overall. There is one refinery, at Whitegate in Cork, capable of up to 75,000 barrels a day, so much of the petrol, diesel and kerosene sold here arrives already refined.
As an island, Ireland also pays to ship fuel in and to hold reserves: the National Oil Reserves Agency keeps 90 days of emergency stocks, funded by the NORA levy on every litre.
What has moved prices recently
Between 29 June 2026 and 21 September 2026, the average petrol price went from €1.762 to €1.945 a litre. The price before tax rose by 16.7c over the same period. The average diesel price rose by 29.0c, and its price before tax rose by 25.5c.
Heating oil moved most. The Commission's heating-gasoil series rose by 37.4c a litre, and its price before tax rose by 35.0c. That series is not the kerosene most Irish homes burn, so read it for direction only.
What you can control
For heating oil, the layer a household can influence is supply. Oil suppliers in the same county can quote noticeably different prices on the same day, and order size and timing change the delivered price.
All fuels
How much of Irish fuel prices is tax?
Petrol, diesel and heating oil compared, with the full rate tables and upcoming changes.
Heating oil
Today's heating-oil prices
Recent prices from oil suppliers in your county.
Common questions
Why is fuel so expensive in Ireland?
Irish fuel prices combine international oil prices, the cost of importing, refining and delivering fuel to an island market, and State charges. Tax and levies were 44.6% of the average petrol price and 36.9% of diesel in the 21 September 2026 figures.
Is tax the main reason fuel prices went up?
Not recently. Between 29 June 2026 and 21 September 2026, most of the rise in petrol and diesel prices came from the price before tax. The tax in each litre rose too, but mainly because VAT is a percentage of a higher price.
Does Ireland import all its oil?
Yes. SEAI reports that imports supplied 100% of Ireland's oil and coal in 2025. The Whitegate refinery in Cork processes imported crude, and emergency stocks are held by the National Oil Reserves Agency.
Sources
Prices are the European Commission's weekly averages for Ireland, not live quotes. Rates come from Revenue, the Irish Statute Book and Government notices, and can change. Figures were last checked on 10 Oct 2026.
- European Commission Weekly Oil Bulletin and price history workbook (European Commission)
- SEAI Interim National Energy Balance 2025 (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
- Whitegate refinery operations overview (Irving Oil)
- NORA oil stocks (National Oil Reserves Agency)
- Revenue Mineral Oil Tax rates (Revenue)