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EU tobacco excise reform rollout

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-08 04:59 UTC → 2026-08-19 08:37 UTC · added removed

In late July 2026 2026, the European Union announced its first comprehensive revision of the tobacco excise directive in fifteen years, introducing minimum excise rates for heated tobacco, electronic cigarettes cigarettes, and nicotine pouches across all 27 member states to curb a growing an illicit market that costs costing the bloc up to €13 billion in lost annual tax revenue each year. revenue. On 1 August 2026 2026, Bulgaria implemented national legislation that raised raising excise duties on all tobacco products, including the newly covered heated products. The cigarette rate rose from €113.51 to €120 per 1,000 sticks, while smoking tobacco increased from €121.69 to €130 per kilogram and electronic cigarettes. heated tobacco from €214 to €225 per kilogram. The finance ministry projected expects the August hike would to generate €41.9 million, contributing to a total fiscal effect of €155.9 million in additional revenue and bring the country into line with EU‑wide negotiations on higher minimum for 2026 tobacco tax levels. increases, including VAT. The law also created introduced a licensing regime framework for online‑gambling online gambling affiliates, signalling a broader fiscal tightening. Detailed figures show the cigarette excise rose from €113.51 to €120 per 1,000 sticks, requiring a €13 increase per pack before VAT. After VAT, the €6,000 annual state fee. Retail price increases in Bulgaria have been gradual as retailers exhaust existing stock. The tax burden on a pack is expected to rise by about €0.16, prompting importers to lift retail prices by a similar amount while existing stock continues to be sold at the old price until depleted. Excise revenue fell by €71.2 million in the first half of 2026 versus 2025, a dip attributed to a May 2025 tax hike that led manufacturers to stockpile inventory. The ministry plans further approximately €0.16 after VAT. Future phased increases to €126 per 1,000 sticks from are scheduled for March 2027 (€126 per 1,000 sticks) and €132 from January 2028, which will push cigarette prices higher in the coming years. A follow‑up report on 7 2028 (€132 per 1,000 sticks). Reports from early August 2026 highlighted indicate that Greece remains one of the cheapest smoking markets in the EU despite the new directive. EU. International brands sell for €4.60‑€5 €4.60–€5 per pack and local brands for €4‑€4.50, €4–€4.50, with taxes and VAT accounting for up to 85 % 85% of the price. An EU directive is expected to eventually lift Greek pack prices to roughly €6.50.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-19 08:37 UTC EU tobacco excise reform rollout
  2. 2026-08-08 04:59 UTC EU tobacco excise reform rollout
  3. 2026-08-03 18:45 UTC EU tobacco excise reform rollout
  4. 2026-08-01 14:13 UTC EU tobacco excise reform rollout

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