š” Quick Answer: Petrol Prices in the UAE (February 2026)
As of February 2026, petrol prices in the UAE are set monthly by the Fuel Price Committee and linked to global oil markets. Special 95 costs AED 2.63/litre, Super 98 is AED 2.73/litre, E-Plus 91 is AED 2.55/litre, and Diesel is AED 2.71/litre ā making the UAE one of the cheapest places to fill up in the world. New prices are announced on the last day of every month for the following month, so always check before the 1st!
Ok so here’s the thing about petrol prices in the UAE…. Let me share what I wish someone had told me when I first moved here and stood at a petrol station completely confused about why the pump looked different from back home. Tbh, I had no idea how petrol prices in the UAE actually worked ā like, who sets them? Why do they change? And why does everyone seem so calm about it when back in Europe people literally protest over a 2-cent increase? š
I’ve been living in Dubai for going on four years now, and I’ve filled up my tank more times than I can count. I’ve watched petrol prices in the UAE go up, come down, and everything in between. And fr, once you understand the system, it actually makes a LOT of sense ā even if its a bit shocking at first. So buckle up (pun intended), because we’re diving deep into petrol prices in the UAE for 2026.
As a proud resident of this bustling city for over 4 years, I’ve devoted my time to exploring Dubai’s vibrant cultural life, different ways of living, and endless possibilities. My experiences enable me to guide you through job searches, housing hunts, commuting, and vehicle purchases in Dubai.
How Petrol Prices in the UAE Are Actually Set
Ok first things first ā petrol prices in the UAE are NOT fixed by the government in the way you might expect. Since August 2015, the UAE liberalised its fuel pricing, which basically means petrol prices in the UAE are now linked to global oil market rates. The Fuel Price Committee ā a government body ā announces new prices every single month, usually on the last day of the month for the following month.
So like, on January 31st they announce what petrol prices in the UAE will be for February. Every month. Without fail. I remember the first time I checked and saw the price had changed ā I genuinely thought there was a mistake lol. Nope. Thats just how petrol prices in the UAE work. You gotta check them regularly if ur trying to budget properly.
The pricing is based on the Average Arab Gulf Price (AAGP), which is itself tied to international Brent crude benchmarks. So basically, when global oil prices go up, petrol prices in the UAE go up. When they fall, so does the price at ur local ENOC or ADNOC station. Its actually a pretty transparent system once you get ur head around it.
Current Petrol Prices in the UAE ā February 2026
Right, lets get to the numbers you actually came here for. As of February 2026, the petrol prices in the UAE are as follows (all prices are in AED per litre):
Special 95 (the most commonly used grade): AED 2.63 per litre
Super 98: AED 2.73 per litre
E-Plus 91: AED 2.55 per litre
Diesel: AED 2.71 per litre
Ngl, when I first saw petrol prices in the UAE after coming from the UK where we were paying close to AED 8ā9 per litre equivalent, I literally stood there for a second doing the math over and over. Special 95 at under AED 3?? That’s not a typo. Petrol prices in the UAE are genuinely among the lowest in the world for a non-oil-producing nation’s residents ā and even compared to many oil-producing ones. My monthly fuel costs dropped dramatically. Like, drastically. My car (a mid-size SUV, nothing fancy) now costs me roughly AED 120ā130 to fill from near-empty. Back home that would’ve been double.
ā½ Petrol Grades Available in the UAE ā February 2026
š Prices as of February 2026. Updated monthly by the UAE Fuel Price Committee. Always check on the last day of the month for the next month’s prices.
A Quick History: How Petrol Prices in the UAE Have Changed Over Time
OK so here’s where it gets interesting (for the data nerds among us, and I fully include myself). Petrol prices in the UAE before 2015 were actually subsidised ā like, heavily. Special 95 used to cost around AED 1.72 per litre. Fixed. Never changed. People got very used to that.
Then in August 2015, boom ā deregulation. Petrol prices in the UAE jumped overnight. There was a genuine shock across expat communities. WhatsApp groups went mad. I wasnt here for that (I arrived in 2021) but I’ve heard the stories from colleagues who were. Some of them insist petrol prices in the UAE back then felt like a betrayal, even though objectively they were still way cheaper than most of the world.
Fast forward to 2022, and petrol prices in the UAE hit some of their recent highs ā Special 95 briefly touched AED 4.06 per litre in August 2022, driven by the post-pandemic oil price surge and the Russia-Ukraine conflict’s impact on global energy markets. That stung a bit, fr. My colleague Ahmed in Abu Dhabi literally switched to carpooling for three months because of it. And honestly? Smart move.
Since then, petrol prices in the UAE have moderated considerably. 2023 and 2024 saw prices hovering in the AED 2.80ā3.10 range for Special 95, and in 2025ā2026 they’ve settled even lower. Its not all roses ā there were a few months in mid-2025 where petrol prices in the UAE crept back up to the AED 2.90+ range due to OPEC+ supply decisions. But by January 2026 things had eased again.
š Historical Petrol Prices in the UAE ā Special 95 (Key Milestones)
š Note: Pre-2015 price was government-fixed. All post-2015 prices are market-linked and vary monthly.
Petrol Prices in the UAE vs the Region and the World
This is honestly one of my favourite things to talk about with people visiting from abroad. Because the reaction never gets old. Petrol prices in the UAE are significantly lower than almost every developed economy. Let me give you some context (rough Feb 2026 equivalents):
United Kingdom: approximately AED 7.80ā8.10 per litre
Germany: approximately AED 7.50ā7.90 per litre
Australia: approximately AED 5.80ā6.20 per litre
USA: approximately AED 3.80ā4.20 per litre
UAE (Special 95): AED 2.63 per litre
Like… yeah. Petrol prices in the UAE are just in a different league. Even compared to neighbouring Saudi Arabia ā where petrol prices are partly still subsidised ā petrol prices in the UAE hold up competitively. Kuwait and Libya still have cheaper fuel in absolute terms, but the UAE delivers a better all-round package when you factor in infrastructure, fuel quality, and the density of well-maintained petrol stations.
Speaking of which ā have you BEEN to an ADNOC station? Because they’re not just petrol stations, their basically mini-malls with ADNOC Oasis convenience stores, sometimes car washes, and cashless payment everywhere. I know thats not directly about petrol prices in the UAE but it’s part of the whole experience lol.
š Petrol Prices in the UAE vs the World ā February 2026
š Approximate equivalents for Feb 2026. Tbh the difference is wild when you see it in a table like this, right?
What Drives Petrol Prices in the UAE Up (and Down)?
So this is where understanding petrol prices in the UAE gets genuinely useful for ur financial planning. The key drivers are:
Global crude oil prices: Brent crude is the main benchmark. When it spikes (geopolitical tensions, supply cuts, seasonal demand), petrol prices in the UAE follow. When it drops (recession fears, OPEC disagreements, high US shale output), so do petrol prices in the UAE.
OPEC+ decisions: The UAE is itself an OPEC member and major producer. When OPEC+ cuts production, global prices rise, which ironically pushes petrol prices in the UAE upwards too ā even though the country produces the very oil being priced.
Refining margins and logistics: Sometimes petrol prices in the UAE shift slightly due to regional refinery costs and distribution logistics, even when crude prices are flat.
Currency fluctuations: Since oil is priced globally in USD and the AED is pegged to the USD, currency swings that affect other countries barely impact petrol prices in the UAE. This peg is actually one reason petrol prices in the UAE are relatively stable compared to, say, petrol prices in emerging market countries.
My personal rule of thumb? If I see Brent crude heading above $85ā90 per barrel for more than a couple of weeks, I mentally prep for petrol prices in the UAE to tick up the following month. It’s not a perfect science but its helped me not be surprised.
š Pro Tips: Getting the Most Out of Petrol Prices in the UAE
Things I genuinely wish someone had told me on day one š
šļø Set a Monthly Reminder ā Last Day of the Month
Petrol prices in the UAE are announced on the last day of every month for the following month. Set a repeating calendar reminder and it takes literally 30 seconds to check. You’ll never get caught off-guard by a price jump again.
Smart move: Update ur fuel budget on the 1st of each month after checking. Takes 2 mins max.
š° Factor Petrol Into Your Housing Decision
This one I learned the hard way ā I chose a cheaper apartment in Mirdif without calculating how much petrol prices in the UAE would add up over 12 months of commuting to Downtown Dubai. The rent “savings” evaporated really quickly. Use the AED 2.63/litre price to estimate monthly fuel costs before signing a lease.
Pro tip: A SharjahāDubai Media City commute can cost AED 450ā550/month in fuel alone at current prices. Worth calculating before you sign!
š± Use the ADNOC or ENOC Apps for Instant Updates
Both major fuel retailers update their apps the moment petrol prices in the UAE are officially announced. Enable notifications and you’ll know the new price before most people. Bonus: the apps also let you pay contactlessly at the pump, which is genuinely very convenient.
Worth noting: You can fill up at ANY brand’s station ā petrol prices in the UAE are nationally set, so theres zero reason for brand loyalty. Just go to the nearest one.
š Watch Brent Crude as Your Early Warning System
Petrol prices in the UAE follow Brent crude oil prices. My personal rule of thumb: if Brent crude is heading above $85ā90 per barrel for more than a couple of weeks, start mentally preparing for a price increase next month. Its not a perfect science, but it works more often than not.
Pro tip: Any major financial news app shows Brent crude in real time. A 30-second check once a week keeps you informed.
ā½ Consider Topping Up Before the 1st of the Month
If you’re keeping an eye on global oil markets and things look volatile, filling up before the new price kicks in on the 1st can save a few dirhams. It’s not a massive saving ā but if Special 95 jumps from AED 2.63 to AED 2.90, filling a 60-litre tank earlier saves you about AED 16. Not nothing!
Smart move: Don’t go out of ur way, but if ur tank is below half on the 28th-29th and markets look shaky, it makes sense to top up.
š Choose the Right Grade ā Don’t Over-Pay
Most regular cars in the UAE run perfectly well on Special 95 (AED 2.63/litre). Super 98 at AED 2.73/litre is for higher-performance engines. Check your car manual ā if it doesn’t specifically require 98 octane, ur basically paying AED 0.10 extra per litre for no benefit. On a 60-litre fill, thats AED 6 saved every single time.
Worth noting: E-Plus 91 at AED 2.55 is the cheapest option but is only suitable for older vehicles or those specifically designed for lower octane.
š Run the EV Numbers Carefully Before Switching
With petrol prices in the UAE as low as they are, the financial case for an EV is more complicated than in Europe. My coworker James saves maybe AED 200ā250/month on a hybrid ā but the real savings come from free parking zones and toll rebates, not petrol alone. Run your actual numbers before committing to a much pricier vehicle upfront.
Pro tip: Factor in DEWA’s subsidised EV charging rates and any parking/toll perks in ur emirate. The full picture is different from just comparing pump prices.
š° Follow UAE Ministry of Energy for Official Announcements
The UAE Ministry of Energy releases the official petrol prices in the UAE every month with a clear graphic and press release on their social media channels. It takes 5 seconds to follow them, and you’ll get the announcement straight from the source ā no waiting for news sites to pick it up, no confusion about whether the numbers are accurate.
Also works great: The National and Gulf News apps always cover petrol price announcements within minutes. Enable those notifications too!
Real Talk: How Petrol Prices in the UAE Affect Daily Life
Ok real talk time. Even though petrol prices in the UAE are low by global standards, they still matter ā especially for people commuting long distances in a country where public transport, while improving, still isn’t the same as London or Singapore.
Take my friend Sara. She lives in Sharjah and commutes daily to Dubai Media City ā thats roughly 35ā40 km each way. In a typical sedan doing maybe 12 litres per 100 km, she’s burning through 8ā10 litres per day in round trips. At current petrol prices in the UAE, that’s roughly AED 21ā26 per day, or AED 450ā550 per month just in fuel. Not nothing, right?
Compare that to her colleague Marcus who lives in JLT and works in DIFC ā maybe 8 km door to door. His monthly fuel spend at current petrol prices in the UAE is under AED 150. Same job, completely different financial reality because of where they chose to live.
This is actually something i wish I’d factored more carefully when I was apartment hunting. I went for a ‘cheaper’ apartment in Mirdif without properly calculating how petrol prices in the UAE would compound over a year of commuting to my office near Downtown Dubai. Spoiler: the ‘savings’ on rent got eaten up pretty quickly. Live and learn!
For delivery drivers and taxi/rideshare operators, petrol prices in the UAE are a massive operational factor. A lot of Careem and Uber drivers I’ve chatted with say they actively track the monthly petrol prices in the UAE announcement and adjust their working hours accordingly. When petrol prices in the UAE spike, some of them pull back on longer trips to keep their margins intact. Makes total sense.
š Real-World Monthly Petrol Costs at AED 2.63/litre (Feb 2026)
š Assumes ~12 litres per 100 km for typical sedan/SUV. Actual costs vary by vehicle efficiency. Always factor fuel costs into ur housing decisions ā trust me on that one!
How to Track Petrol Prices in the UAE ā Practical Tips
Alright, here’s the practical stuff. If you want to stay on top of petrol prices in the UAE without having to dig through news sites every month, here’s what actually works:
Follow the UAE Ministry of Energy on social media: They announce petrol prices in the UAE officially, usually with a press release and a graphic. Super clear.
Set a calendar reminder for the last day of each month: Thats when petrol prices in the UAE for the next month drop. Takes 30 seconds to check and update ur budget.
Use the ADNOC or ENOC apps: Both major fuel companies update their apps with new petrol prices in the UAE as soon as they’re announced. Handy.
Local news apps like The National or Gulf News: They ALWAYS cover petrol prices in the UAE announcements with quick articles. Enable notifications and youll never miss an update.
One thing I genuinely didn’t know for my first year here: you can fill up at any brand’s station regardless of which brand’s app you use for payment. So if the nearest ENOC is closer than the ADNOC, just use it ā petrol prices in the UAE are the same across all stations since prices are set nationally. No brand loyalty games here.
ā Monthly Petrol Price Checklist ā UAE Resident Edition
Do this every month on the last day and you’ll never be caught off guard by petrol prices in the UAE again š
š§ One-Time Setup
They post the official monthly announcement with a clear graphic. The most reliable primary source for petrol prices in the UAE.
Both update instantly when new petrol prices in the UAE are announced. Also useful for contactless payment at the pump.
Both always cover petrol prices in the UAE announcements within minutes. Great backup if ur not checking other sources.
Label it “Check UAE petrol prices for next month.” Takes 30 seconds to check and update ur budget. Do it once, recurring forever.
šļø Monthly Routine (Last Day of Month)
Look up Special 95 price especially ā this is what most drivers use. Note if it went up, down, or stayed the same.
Take your typical monthly km driven, divide by 100, multiply by ur car’s L/100km, then multiply by the new Special 95 price.
If ur tank is under half and prices are going up next month, filling up before the 1st can save a few dirhams. Small but real.
If petrol prices in the UAE jumped more than you expected, check Brent crude on any finance app to understand why. Helps set expectations for next month too.
š” Remember: Petrol prices in the UAE are nationally set ā there’s no need to compare stations. Just use the closest one to you and save time and fuel!
EVs, Hybrids, and the Future of Petrol Prices in the UAE
Ok we cant talk about petrol prices in the UAE in 2026 without touching on the EV elephant in the room. The UAE has been pushing hard on electric vehicle adoption ā there are now hundreds of charging points across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, DEWA offers subsidised EV charging rates, and the government has set targets to electrify a significant portion of the national fleet.
But here’s the thing: with petrol prices in the UAE being as low as they are, the financial case for switching to an EV is… complicated. In the UK or Germany, where petrol costs three times what you’d pay here, the EV payback period is much shorter. With petrol prices in the UAE at current levels, you’d need to drive a LOT of kilometres to break even on the higher upfront cost of an electric vehicle.
My coworker James switched to a hybrid in early 2025 and he says it makes sense for his long commute ā he’s saving maybe AED 200ā250 per month versus a regular petrol car. But fr, he also benefits from free parking in some areas and toll rebates, which is where the real savings stack up rather than from petrol prices in the UAE alone.
The trajectory seems clear though: petrol prices in the UAE will likely remain market-linked and potentially volatile, while EV running costs should continue dropping as battery tech improves and charging infrastructure expands. Watch this space over the next 5ā10 years.
ā Frequently Asked Questions About Petrol Prices in the UAE
Everything people actually ask ā answered from 4+ years of filling up in Dubai š
Final Thoughts: Making Peace With Petrol Prices in the UAE
So here we are. After four years of filling up in this country, here’s my honest take on petrol prices in the UAE: they’re low, they’re fair, they’re transparent, and once you understand the monthly announcement cycle, they become just another line item in ur budget rather than a source of stress.
The system isnt perfect ā no system is. Some argue that market-linked petrol prices in the UAE disproportionately affect lower-income workers and delivery drivers who depend on their vehicles to make a living. That’s a valid concern and worth thinking about as the country continues to develop its transport infrastructure and social support systems.
But for the average resident or visitor, petrol prices in the UAE remain one of the genuine quality-of-life advantages of living here. Whether you’re driving a supercar on Sheikh Zayed Road or a workhorse sedan shuttling between emirates, petrol prices in the UAE mean the cost of moving around is manageable in a way it simply isn’t in most of the developed world.
My actionable advice? Check petrol prices in the UAE on the last day of every month. Build a rough monthly fuel budget based on your average driving. Consider proximity to work when choosing where to live (future-me really wishes past-me had done this). And if ur watching global oil markets and things look volatile, maybe top up the tank before the 1st of the month just in case š
Petrol prices in the UAE are one of those things that seem complicated until they suddenly don’t. And now? They really dont.
š Key Takeaways: Petrol Prices in the UAE 2026
Everything you need to remember ā bookmarkable for future reference! š
February 2026 prices: Special 95 = AED 2.63/litre, Super 98 = AED 2.73/litre, E-Plus 91 = AED 2.55/litre, Diesel = AED 2.71/litre ā same at ALL stations nationwide.
Prices change monthly. The Fuel Price Committee announces new petrol prices in the UAE on the last day of every month for the following month. Set a calendar reminder ā it takes 30 seconds to check.
UAE petrol is ~3x cheaper than Europe. The UK pays AED 7.80ā8.10/litre; Germany AED 7.50ā7.90/litre; even the USA pays AED 3.80ā4.20/litre. Petrol prices in the UAE are among the lowest of any developed economy.
Prices follow global oil markets. Since August 2015 deregulation, petrol prices in the UAE are linked to Brent crude. The 2022 peak hit AED 4.06/litre; they’ve since moderated to the current AED 2.63/litre range.
Location matters more than you think. A Sharjah ā Dubai commute costs AED 450ā550/month in fuel vs under AED 150/month for a short Dubai commute. Factor petrol prices in the UAE into ur housing decision ā it makes a real difference over a year.
Watch Brent crude as your early indicator. If Brent climbs above $85ā90/barrel for several weeks, mentally prepare for petrol prices in the UAE to tick up next month. It’s not perfect but it works more often than not.
Best tracking tools: UAE Ministry of Energy social media, ADNOC/ENOC apps (enable notifications), The National or Gulf News apps. No excuses for missing the monthly petrol prices in the UAE announcement!
EV maths is different here. With petrol prices in the UAE this low, the payback on an EV is longer than in Europe. Real UAE EV savings often come from parking perks and toll rebates. Run your own numbers before switching.
šÆ The Bottom Line
Petrol prices in the UAE are low, fair, transparent, and ā once you understand the monthly cycle ā totally manageable. Check them on the last day of each month, factor them into your living and commuting decisions, and enjoy the fact that filling up here costs a fraction of what it does back home. Now go enjoy the drive! š
P.S. This info is from Feb. 2026 but tbh things change fast in petrol prices in the UAE so double check everything! And if ur reading this later… hope things have gotten even better lol
