Romania reduces diesel excise duty by 20% to lower pump prices

The Romanian Ministry of Finance has implemented a temporary 20% reduction in the excise duty for standard diesel, effective from August 16 to August 31, 2026. This measure aims to mitigate the impact of rising international oil prices and high pump prices on the national economy and citizens' purchasing power.

If fuel distributors pass the full tax reduction to consumers, diesel prices could drop by approximately 68 bani per liter. This would result in an estimated saving of about 34 lei for a 50-liter tank. Following the implementation, some major networks like Petrom and Socar reported prices dropping below the 10 lei per liter threshold, with Petrom reaching 9.99 lei per liter. Other providers, such as Lukoil and Rompetrol, have shown varying rates of adjustment.

The reduction is part of a dynamic excise mechanism introduced by Law no. 162/2026, which allows for adjustments twice a month based on market indicators. While the price drop provides relief, Romania remains among the higher-priced countries for diesel in the European Union, though the measure has improved its relative ranking.