How are fuel prices set in the UAE?

UAE fuel prices are set monthly by the Fuel Price Committee, a body comprising representatives from the UAE government and energy sector. Each month, the committee assesses international crude and product prices and sets the following month's pump prices accordingly. This market-linked mechanism — introduced in August 2015 — means UAE pump prices move in line with global oil markets. The UAE is the only GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) country that has adopted fully market-linked fuel pricing. Prices are announced at the end of each month for the following month and are uniform across all seven emirates.

What are the petrol prices in the UAE in 2026?

UAE fuel prices in 2026 vary monthly with the fuel price committee's adjustments. Typical 2026 prices: SPECIAL 95 (regular petrol) approximately AED 2.85–3.05/litre (USD 0.78–0.83/l); SUPER 98 (premium petrol) approximately AED 2.97–3.18/litre; E Plus 91 (economy grade) approximately AED 2.74–2.94/litre; diesel approximately AED 2.85–3.05/litre. At AED/USD 3.673 (fixed peg), these translate to approximately USD 0.74–0.87/litre — significantly lower than European prices but higher than Saudi Arabia or Kuwait due to the market-linked mechanism.

Does the UAE subsidise petrol?

The UAE moved away from explicit fuel subsidies in August 2015 when it adopted market-linked monthly pricing. Before 2015, UAE petrol was priced below international market levels through an implicit subsidy. Since 2015, prices track international markets, meaning UAE consumers pay near-market prices — unusual among GCC states. However, the UAE still benefits from no fuel excise duty and no VAT on fuel (the UAE introduced VAT at 5% in 2018, but fuel is zero-rated), meaning pump prices are well below European levels even at market prices.

UAE Fuel Prices 2026: Market-Linked Monthly Pricing & ADNOC Retail

Published 1 July 2026 · Updated 16 October 2026

The United Arab Emirates stands apart from its Gulf neighbours as the only GCC state that has adopted fully market-linked fuel pricing. Since August 2015, the UAE's Fuel Price Committee adjusts pump prices monthly in line with international crude and product markets — a reform that eliminated explicit fuel subsidies and exposed UAE consumers to real global price signals. In 2026, this means UAE petrol prices are significantly higher than Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, but far below European levels due to the absence of excise duty.

For live UAE and GCC fuel prices, use the fuel price explorer. For Saudi Arabia's contrasting still-subsidised approach, see our Saudi Arabia fuel prices 2026. For ADNOC's global production role, see our ADIPEC 2027 preview.

UAE pump prices in 2026

Fuel grade	AED/litre (approx. monthly range 2026)	USD/litre	Notes
E Plus 91 (economy)	2.74–2.94	0.75–0.80	Lowest grade; standard vehicles
Special 95 (regular)	2.85–3.05	0.78–0.83	Main volume grade
Super 98 (premium)	2.97–3.18	0.81–0.87	High-performance vehicles
Diesel	2.85–3.05	0.78–0.83	Road diesel; commercial transport

The AED/USD exchange rate is pegged at 3.673, making fuel prices in USD terms fully stable against currency movements. Monthly price changes reflect only the fuel price committee's crude-linked adjustments.

The monthly market-linked pricing mechanism

The UAE's Fuel Price Committee (FPC) operates on a monthly cycle:

In the final week of each month, the FPC meets to review international product prices (primarily the Platts Singapore and Platts Arab Gulf assessments for the month)
The committee calculates the market-equivalent pump price based on product prices, distribution costs, and a small retail margin
New prices are announced on the last day of the month (or first trading day), effective from the 1st of the following month
Prices are uniform across all seven emirates and all licensed fuel retailers (ADNOC Distribution, Emarat, ENOC)
There is no consumer hedging or smoothing — prices move fully with the market assessment

This mechanism means UAE pump prices can change by AED 0.10–0.30/litre in a single month if crude prices move sharply. In 2022, UAE prices reached their highest levels since the reform, briefly touching AED 4.25/litre for Super 98 in June 2022 during the Brent crude spike.

ADNOC Distribution: UAE's dominant fuel retailer

ADNOC Distribution — a listed subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company — operates the UAE's largest forecourt network:

~750+ service stations across the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and other emirates)
Listed on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) since 2017; partially privatised as part of ADNOC's capital recycling programme
Also operates in Saudi Arabia (through a joint venture) and is expanding internationally
Forecourt services include petrol, diesel, LPG cylinder exchange, car wash, and retail (ADNOC shops)
Competing networks: Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC, Dubai-government owned) and Emarat (Abu Dhabi-government owned)

UAE vs GCC fuel price comparison (2026)

Country	Regular petrol (approx. USD/l)	Pricing mechanism
Kuwait	~0.30–0.34	Government-fixed; heavily subsidised
Saudi Arabia	~0.35	Government-set post-2018 reform; still well below market
Qatar	~0.55–0.60	Partially regulated; periodic adjustments
Bahrain	~0.65–0.75	Partial reform; regulated price bands
Oman	~0.62–0.70	Market-linked adjustments since 2016
UAE	~0.78–0.83	Fully market-linked monthly since 2015

The UAE reform as a regional model
The UAE's 2015 fuel price reform is widely cited by economists and international institutions (IMF, World Bank) as a model for GCC subsidy reform. It demonstrated that market-linked pricing is politically achievable in a Gulf state — though the UAE's high per capita income and expatriate-majority population (who have less political voice) made reform easier than in, say, Saudi Arabia or Kuwait. For the wider Middle East subsidy reform picture, see our Middle East fuel subsidy reform 2026.

Frequently asked questions

How are fuel prices set in the UAE? UAE fuel prices are set monthly by the Fuel Price Committee, which adjusts them in line with international crude and product market prices. Announced at end of month for the following month, prices are uniform across all emirates. This market-linked mechanism — introduced August 2015 — makes the UAE the only GCC state with fully market-referenced pump prices.: UAE fuel prices are set monthly by the Fuel Price Committee, which adjusts them in line with international crude and product market prices. Announced at end of month for the following month, prices are uniform across all emirates. This market-linked mechanism — introduced August 2015 — makes the UAE the only GCC state with fully market-referenced pump prices.
What are the petrol prices in the UAE in 2026? Typical 2026 UAE prices: Special 95 ~AED 2.85–3.05/l (~USD 0.78–0.83), Super 98 ~AED 2.97–3.18/l, E Plus 91 ~AED 2.74–2.94/l, diesel ~AED 2.85–3.05/l. Prices change monthly. No excise duty or VAT applies to fuel, keeping prices well below European levels despite market pricing.: Typical 2026 UAE prices: Special 95 ~AED 2.85–3.05/l (~USD 0.78–0.83), Super 98 ~AED 2.97–3.18/l, E Plus 91 ~AED 2.74–2.94/l, diesel ~AED 2.85–3.05/l. Prices change monthly. No excise duty or VAT applies to fuel, keeping prices well below European levels despite market pricing.
Does the UAE subsidise petrol? The UAE ended explicit fuel subsidies in August 2015 when it adopted market-linked monthly pricing. Since then, consumers pay near-market prices. The UAE has no fuel excise duty and fuel is VAT-zero-rated, so pump prices are still well below European equivalents — but this reflects absent taxation, not subsidy. The UAE's approach is the most market-oriented in the GCC.: The UAE ended explicit fuel subsidies in August 2015 when it adopted market-linked monthly pricing. Since then, consumers pay near-market prices. The UAE has no fuel excise duty and fuel is VAT-zero-rated, so pump prices are still well below European equivalents — but this reflects absent taxation, not subsidy. The UAE's approach is the most market-oriented in the GCC.