Background information

The Romanian government has adopted an emergency ordinance no. 24/ 3 April 2026 on the temporary reduction of the excise tax rate applicable to diesel fuel. Thus, the excise tax on standard diesel sold on the domestic market will be temporarily reduced by 30 bani (approx. €0.06) per litre, from 2,804.29 lei/1,000 litres (approx. €560) to 2,504.29 lei/1,000 litres (approx. €500.85).

The intervention on diesel prices has an anti-inflationary effect, as the measure is designed to protect not only those who fill up at the pump, but also other consumers, by limiting price increases.

Content of measure

With a national monthly consumption of nearly 700 million litres, the diesel consumption represents a monthly budgetary expenditure of approximately 200 million lei (approx. €40 million). In Romania, diesel consumption accounts for over 75% of total fuel consumption, while gasoline accounts for less than 25%.

The government will draw funds to cover this shortfall from three sources: the additional VAT collected during the period of rising prices, the state budget, and the solidarity fund. Sixty percent of the windfall profits that relevant companies have made since prices began to rise will be paid into this fund.

At the same time, during the declared the oil and fuel crisis, businesses that sell gasoline and diesel at retail to end consumers may raise their selling prices no more than once per calendar day, by 12:00 p.m. Selling prices may be lowered at any time, as often as necessary.

Use of measure

The impact of implementing the legislative act will be assessed periodically to allow for adjustments to the measures based on market developments.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Sector specific set of companies	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The Economic and Social Council, including the social partner representatives, were consulted on the content of the emergency ordinance.

Views and reactions

In the opinion drafted by the Economic and Social Council, trade unions and employer organisations stated that they support the government’s proposal but also raised several criticisms. They argue that the measure effectively establishes two levels of excise tax on diesel fuel: one applicable to ‘standard’ diesel and another applicable to other types of diesels.

‘We believe that such a solution, in its proposed form, is not supported by the provisions of the Tax Code, as its implementation would require not only a change in the excise tax rate but also adjustments to IT systems. At the same time, the concept of ‘standard diesel’ should be defined explicitly and clearly, given the very wide variety of trade names used on the market,’ the CES response states.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 03 April 2026: Emergency ordinance no. 24/3 April 2026 on the temporary reduction of the excise tax rate applicable to diesel fuel (Ordonanță de urgență nr. 24 din 3 aprilie 2026 privind reducerea temporară a nivelului accizei aplicabil motorinei) (legislatie.just.ro)
• 03 April 2026: The government has approved a reduction in the excise tax on diesel fuel (Guvernul a adoptat reducerea accizei la motorină) (www.romania-actualitati.ro)
• 04 April 2026: The government has adopted an emergency ordinance temporarily reducing the excise tax on diesel by 30 bani per liter. When will it take effect? (Guvernul a adoptat OUG privind reducerea temporară a accizei la motorină cu 30 de bani/litru. Când va intra în vigoare) (www.digi24.ro)
• 06 April 2026: The excise tax on diesel fuel will be temporarily reduced by 30 bani per liter (Acciza la motorină va fi redusă temporar cu 30 de bani pe litru) (www.juridice.ro)