Romania fuel prices fluctuate following temporary diesel excise tax reduction

Fuel prices in Romania have experienced significant volatility following the implementation of a dynamic excise tax mechanism. On August 16, 2026, a temporary 20% reduction in the diesel excise tax was introduced, which initially lowered prices by approximately 68 bani per liter, bringing some diesel prices below the 10 lei/liter threshold at stations like Petrom and Socar.

However, these savings were short-lived. Within 24 to 48 hours, major distributors including OMV Petrom and MOL implemented price increases of approximately 15 bani per liter, effectively neutralizing much of the tax relief. As of August 18, diesel prices at several major networks have risen back to levels between 10.14 and 10.35 lei per liter.

Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan attributed the price fluctuations to external factors beyond government control, citing global volatility, tensions in the Gulf, the war in Ukraine, and logistical risks in the Black Sea. Meanwhile, former Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan has called for urgent investigations by the Ministry of Finance, ANAF, and the Competition Council to determine if these rapid price hikes are based on real economic fundamentals or are the result of speculative practices by fuel distributors.