In the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic n.64 of 18 March 2026, the Decree-Law n.33 of 18 March 2026 was published concerning “urgent provisions regarding oil prices related to international market crises”(Fuel Decree).
The decree-law, in force from 19 March 2026, represents a temporary and emergency intervention to deal with the high cost of fuel resulting from international tensions linked to the ongoing conflict.
More specifically, the provision in question provides, for a period of twenty days, a redetermination of excise duties equal to:
- 472.90 euros per thousand liters for petrol
- 472.90 euros per thousand liters for gas oils or diesel used as fuel
- 167.77 euros per thousand liters for liquefied petroleum gas used as fuel (LPG)
This reduction in excise duties should result in a reduction in the price of diesel and petrol of 25 cents per liter and 12 cents for LPG.
For the road transport sector, an extraordinary contribution is recognized, in the form of a tax credit, for the greater expenditure incurred in the months of March, April and May compared to the month of February 2026. Application criteria and methods will be established with a subsequent inter-ministerial decree of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Economy and Finance and the Environment and Energy Security to be implemented within 30 days of the provision in question.
To avoid speculative phenomena, prevention and contrast measures have also been envisaged. In particular, the monitoring of fuel prices by the Price Guarantor of the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy is strengthened.
For a period of three months, oil companies will be required to communicate and publish recommended prices, which will be monitored by the Guarantor, with sanctions foreseen in case of non-compliance.
A strengthened control system has also been established aimed at identifying any anomalies in prices and combating speculative practices, through checks along the entire supply chain and reports to the competent authorities.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers also announced that, after the European Council on 19 March, any further interventions will be evaluated.
