The European Union imposes a minimum excise duty for the purchase of petrol and diesel when refueling: this is a figure that grows and varies in each member state based on local government reforms and the value of the value added tax (VAT). Here is an overview of price trends in the 28 countries of the Union
Excise taxes on fuel continue to be a central political factor for European countries, in a context of continuous geopolitical conflicts, growing attention to environmental policies and difficult economic conditions for average consumers. The European Union requires member states to apply a minimum excise duty of 0.359 euros per litre on petrol, a figure that is adopted by Malta without further increases. The market for diesel vehicles in the European Union has been steadily declining, but still accounts for almost 10% of new car registrations, consequently making some European consumers subject to excise duties on diesel rather than petrol. The minimum excise duty required by the EU is slightly lower for diesel, standing at 0.330 euros per litre. With a minimum of 0.359 euros per litre, Malta has the lowest gas tax, followed by the Bulgaria with 0.363 euros per litre and fromHungary with 0.399 euros per litre. THE Netherlands have the highest petrol tax in the EU with 0.789 euros per litrefollowed byItaly with 0.713 euros per litre, and from Denmark with 0.711 euros per litre.
excise duties in eurozone countries
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Most European Union countries apply a lower excise duty on diesel fuel than on petrol. Belgium and the United Kingdom, which is no longer part of the EU, apply the same rate on the two fuels, a choice which from 1 January 2026 will also adopt theItaly. The average excise duty on petrol in the 28 countries that are part of the Union is 0.558 euros per litrewhile the average excise duty on diesel is 0.458 euros per litre. THE’Italyduring 2025, applied the highest excise duty on diesel, equal to 0.632 euros per litrefollowed by United Kingdom with 0.616 euros per litreand from Belgium with 0.600 euros per litre. The lowest excise taxes are those applied by Bulgaria And Maltawith a minimum of 0.330 euros per litrefollowed by Swedenwith 0.350 euros per litre. This data includes environmental taxes collected on fuel in the declared excise tax, where such taxes are applied at an ad quantum rate per unit: these include taxes on carbon emissions, energy or other environmental taxes included in the total excise tax. For comparison with the other side of the Atlantic, the European Union’s minimum excise duty on petrol, which stands at $1.60 a gallonis higher than the highest gasoline tax in the United States, which amounts to approx $1,255 a gallon in California, which includes and combines federal and state taxes, including environmental charges. Furthermore, all EU member states apply a value added tax (VAT) on the sale of petrol and diesel: the excise duties revealed by the data are collected before the application of VAT: these taxes, added together, create a relatively high burden for European consumers and economies.
European overview
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Compared to 2024, the most important changes concerned the following countries: la Lithuaniaincreased the gasoline tax by 0.05 euros per litre and the one on diesel fuel 0.11 euros per litre; there Denmark increased the diesel tax by 0.089 euros per litre; theIreland increased the gasoline tax by 0.08 euros per litre and the one on diesel fuel 0.07 euros per litre; there Slovenia increased the gasoline tax by 0.07 euros per litre; The Portugal increased the tax on petrol and diesel by 0.06 euros per litre; there Croatia increased the gasoline tax by 0.056 euros per litre; there Slovenia increased the diesel tax by 0.05 euros per litre. Among the countries of the European Union, only the Sweden reduced the tax on gasoline (-0.07 euros per litre).
Excise duties in EU countries and the United Kingdom
| Village | Petrol excise duty per litre | Diesel excise duty per litre | VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
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