Oil falls, but filling up remains expensive after the weekend
The national recommended price for Euro95 remained at 2.732 euros per litre on Monday, while the oil price edged lower.
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The oil price fell slightly on Monday after reports of a possible energy truce between Russia and Ukraine, but motorists have yet to notice much difference at the pump. UnitedConsumers recorded a national recommended price for Euro95 of 2.732 euros per litre, unchanged from the previous day.
The fall in the oil market remained limited on Monday morning. According to Reuters, Brent crude was trading at around 103 dollars per barrel after US President Donald Trump said Russia and Ukraine would halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure. Ukraine said it was still awaiting details; according to Reuters, Russia gave no substantive response to the announced truce.
The average national recommended price for Euro95 stood at 2.732 euros per litre on Monday, according to UnitedConsumers. The recommended price for diesel listed there was also 2.732 euros. These are recommended prices from the five largest oil companies, not a national average across all petrol stations. Actual prices vary by station, region and discount promotion.
That difference is important when comparing figures. The CBS reported a weighted average pump price on 5 October of 2.432 euros for Euro95 and 2.506 euros for diesel. The CBS uses daily prices from petrol stations and publishes the data weekly. The recommended price from oil companies and the average of actual transactions therefore do not measure the same thing.
Moreover, a lower oil price does not automatically feed through into the consumer price on the same day. Between crude oil and the pump price lie refining, transport, stocks, taxes and the station’s margin. In its monitor, the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets therefore distinguishes between extraction, refining and sales at the pump. Timing and price movements may differ at each stage.
The cabinet says that high fuel prices are linked to an international supply shock in the oil market. In answers to the Lower House, the cabinet writes that it will not take any additional measures for the time being. According to those answers, the temporary excise-duty cut on petrol and diesel will, however, be extended by one year. As a result, petrol excise duty will be approximately 0.85 euros per litre in 2027, compared with approximately 1.03 euros without the extension.
The fall in the oil market therefore offers at most limited relief in the short term. As long as uncertainty over energy supplies, refining and transport persists, consumers and businesses cannot count on a rapid return to much lower pump prices. For households with lengthy commutes and transport companies, the development therefore remains directly visible in monthly costs.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The UnitedConsumers recommended price for Euro95 remained unchanged on 12 October 2026.
- The oil price fell slightly after an announced but still unclear energy truce.
- The cabinet intends to extend the temporary excise-duty cut.
- The CBS pump price is a weighted average and has a different reference date from the recommended price.
Left
Arguments The government should protect households from an energy shock, for example through targeted compensation for low incomes and higher travel reimbursements. A general excise-duty cut also helps people who do not need that support and may delay the switch to more fuel-efficient transport.
Values Affordability, social protection and a fair distribution of the costs.
Consequences Targeted support can limit pressure on the budget, but requires more implementation and leaves higher costs for other motorists in place.
Centre
Arguments The government should provide temporary relief while also preventing additional demand from making scarce fuel even more expensive. A combination of excise-duty policy, transparent price information and alternatives for commuting is an obvious approach.
Values Affordability, security of supply and practicality.
Consequences The approach offers no quick solution for everyone, but limits the risk of new disruptions and leaves room for targeted adjustments.
Right
Arguments Fuel is necessary for many people and the government should not put additional pressure on mobility and entrepreneurship through high excise duties. The temporary reduction should therefore be continued or expanded and could potentially be paid for from better-than-expected tax revenues.
Values Purchasing power, accessibility and a limited tax burden.
Consequences Lower excise duties can provide immediate relief, but cost revenue and reduce the incentive to limit fuel consumption.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The price levels and policy measures were checked directly with UnitedConsumers, the CBS and the Lower House. The market analysis is based on Reuters and the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets; the article makes clear which figures are not directly comparable.
- confirmed The national recommended price for Euro95 was 2.732 euros per litre on 12 October 2026 and was unchanged. — UnitedConsumers lists this price and a difference of 0.0 cents. source
- confirmed Brent crude fell on Monday after reports of an energy truce. — Reuters reports the fall and the uncertainty surrounding the announced agreement. source
- confirmed The CBS reported 2.432 euros for Euro95 and 2.506 euros for diesel on 5 October. — These values appear in the CBS table of weighted average daily prices. source
- confirmed The recommended price from oil companies and the CBS average measure different things. — UnitedConsumers describes the GLA as the recommended price from five major oil companies; the CBS uses weighted pump prices. source
- confirmed According to the cabinet, the temporary excise-duty cut will be extended through 2027. — This is stated in State Secretary Eerenberg’s response to the Lower House. source
Editor's note
The current recommended price, CBS pump price and oil price have deliberately been placed side by side with their different definitions and reference dates. The effect of cheaper oil on Dutch pump prices remains uncertain.Sources
- Brandstofprijzen: Wat zijn de actuele brandstofprijzen? — UnitedConsumers
- Pump prices motor fuels; per type, per day — CBS
- Antwoord op vragen over de benzineprijs — Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal
- Uitleg Monitor Brandstofprijzen — Autoriteit Consument & Markt
- Oil falls on hopes Russia-Ukraine energy ceasefire will boost supplies — Reuters via The Edge Malaysia