Fuel prices in the UAE rise sharply for April 2026 as global oil fluctuations push the price of gasoline to more than 3 dirhams / photo; file
The UAE has officially announced petrol and diesel prices for April 2026, and motorists are expected to face a sharp increase of nearly Dh2 per litre, marking one of the biggest monthly increases in recent years.The new prices were approved by the UAE Fuel Price Committee and confirmed on March 31, 2026, in line with the monthly fuel price review mechanism in the country. This increase reflects the rise in global crude oil prices amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
Fuel prices in the UAE in April 2026
Driven by global crude oil standards reaching multi-year highs, these changes represent one of the largest monthly increases in recent history. The official breakdown of the new prices as of April 1, 2026 is as follows:
| Fuel grade | March 2026 price (per liter) | April 2026 price (per liter) | Price increase |
| Super 98 | 2.59 dirhams | 3.39 dirhams | +0.80 dirhams |
| Special 95 | 2.48 dirhams | 3.28 dirhams | +0.80 dirhams |
| E-Plus 91 | 2.40 dirhams | 3.20 dirhams | +0.80 dirhams |
| diesel | 2.72 dirhams | 4.69 dirhams | +1.97 dirhams |
Rising global oil prices push interest rates in the UAE
Fuel prices in the UAE are directly linked to global oil markets, and the rise in fuel prices in April reflects a sudden rise in crude oil prices around the world.In recent weeks, oil prices have edged closer to the $115 to $120 per barrel range, driven by rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and concerns about supply disruptions, particularly around key shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.Market volatility has been intensified by the ongoing regional conflict, which has led to higher refining and transportation costs globally. Diesel, in particular, has seen sharp increases around the world, which is reflected in the latest prices in the UAE.
Monthly review system in the United Arab Emirates
Since the liberalization of fuel prices in 2015, the UAE has followed a market-linked pricing system. The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews and announces updated prices at the end of each month, based on the global average price of oil and refined fuel products.This mechanism ensures that local fuel prices reflect international market conditions with minimal delay. As a result, any sudden spike in global crude oil prices is quickly passed on to consumers, as we saw in the April review.
Fuel price trend
Fuel prices in the UAE remained relatively stable through most of 2025 and early 2026, even declining during certain months due to a decline in global oil demand.However, March 2026 saw the beginning of an upward trend, with prices still below AED 2.60 per liter of petrol. Thus, the increase in April represents a sharp turnaround, pushing gasoline prices well above Dh3 per liter in one review cycle.