Diesel Taxes in Europe in 2026: Where Fuel Is Most Expensive

Fuel prices in the European Union reached a new all-time high in 2026, and diesel is now the most expensive fuel at gas stations. Taxes account for a significant portion of the total amount on the receipt, and their rates vary considerably from country to country. Euronews reports on this.

We’ll explain below where the tax burden on diesel is highest, how it’s calculated, and what changes drivers can expect in the coming months.

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How much will diesel cost in the EU in 2026?

According to the European Commission’s weekly oil bulletin, as of September 21, 2026, the weighted average price of diesel fuel in the EU was 2.226 euros per liter. This is the highest figure since 2005, when records began. A liter of diesel is 13.4 cents more expensive than “Euro-Super 95” gasoline. Filling a 50-liter tank costs approximately 111 euros, of which about 40% is taxes.

The sharp price increase is linked to the war with Iran, which began in February and disrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. Diesel has been hit harder than other types of fuel: since late February, its average price in the EU has risen by approximately 40%. According to estimates by experts at the European Central Bank, in the third week of September, refinery markups added 0.41 euros to the cost per liter. This represents 19% of the amount paid by the driver.

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Top 10 EU Countries with the Highest Diesel Taxes

In September 2026, drivers in Denmark paid the highest taxes per liter of diesel: 1.081 euros. Italy and Finland also made the top three, with taxes exceeding 1 euro per liter. The EU average is 0.861 euros, or 38.6% of the price at the gas station. The ranking is based on the total tax amount in euros per liter. The tax share of the price is provided for reference.

1. Denmark: 1.081 € (42.3% of the price of 2.555 €).
2. Italy: approximately 1.034 € (45.3% of the price of 2.281 €) at the excise tax rate in effect since September 26.
3. Finland: 1.030 € (40.3% of the price of 2.555 €).
4. Germany: 1.024 € (41.7% of the price of 2.457 €).
5. Belgium: 1.014 € (42.5% of the price of 2.387 €).
6. The Netherlands: €1.006 at a price of €2.579.
7. France: €1.005 (42.2% of the price of €2.383).
8. Lithuania: €0.945 (41.9% of the price of €2.258).
9. Austria: €0.897 (40.1% of the price of €2.238).
10. Greece: €0.855 (38.4% of the price of €2.224).

Italy moved up to second place due to the reduction of a temporary tax rebate. On September 26, the excise tax rose from 0.5729 to 0.6229 euros per liter, and this rate remains in effect until October 5. Under the previous rate, taxes amounted to approximately 0.984 euros per liter, or 43.1% of the price.

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How is the tax on diesel fuel calculated in the EU?

The tax on diesel in EU countries is calculated in two stages. First, an excise tax is levied—that is, a fixed amount per liter. Some countries add other charges to this, such as a carbon emissions fee. Next, VAT is applied to the total amount, including the excise tax, effectively resulting in a tax on a tax. VAT rates range from 17% in Luxembourg to 27% in Hungary.

Rates in the countries included in the ranking:

• Denmark: excise tax of 4.261 Danish kroner (≈0.571 €) + 25% VAT (≈0.511 €);
• Finland: excise tax of 0.511 € + 25.5% VAT, the second-highest rate in the EU;
• Germany: energy tax of 0.4704 € + carbon tax of 0.162 € + 19% VAT;
• Belgium: excise tax of 0.600 € + 21% VAT;
• Netherlands: excise tax of 0.55 €;
• France: excise tax of 0.6075 € + 20% VAT;
• Lithuania: excise tax of €0.50 + CO₂ emissions component of €0.0536 + 21% VAT;
• Austria: petroleum products tax of €0.378 + carbon levy of ≈€0.145 + 20% VAT;
• Greece: excise tax of 0.41 € (unchanged since July 2017) + other taxes ≈0.014 € + 24% VAT.

In Lithuania, a temporary reduction in the fixed portion of the excise tax to 0.45 euros per liter had been in effect since April in response to the conflict in the Middle East. The exemption ended on June 15.

Where in the EU is diesel the most expensive and the cheapest at gas stations?

As of September 21, 2026, the highest price for diesel in the EU was recorded in the Netherlands: 2.579 euros per liter. Despite this, the country ranks only sixth in terms of total taxes. Next are Finland and Denmark at 2.555 euros, followed by Germany at 2.457 euros. The cheapest diesel fuel is sold in Malta, where a liter costs about 1.21 euros.


Photo: Euronews

Prices also remained below the 2-euro-per-liter mark in Bulgaria (1.92 €), Cyprus (1.95 €), Croatia (1.98 €), and several other EU countries.

The most fuel-efficient cars of 2026 — listed here.

Why is diesel taxed less than gasoline in Europe?

On average across the EU, taxes per liter of gasoline amount to 0.981 euros, and for diesel, 0.861 euros. The difference is about 12 cents. This preferential treatment is enshrined in EU regulations: the minimum excise tax on diesel is 0.33 euros per liter, and on gasoline, 0.359 euros. Most governments maintain this difference in their own tax rates to support transport companies, farmers, and businesses that rely on diesel.

The largest gap is in Greece. The excise tax on gasoline there is €0.70, so diesel is taxed 28.6 cents less. In the Netherlands, the difference is 26.7 cents (the excise tax on gasoline is €0.84). Belgium has set a uniform excise tax of €0.600 for both types of fuel; however, because diesel is more expensive, an additional 6.9 cents is added to it before VAT is applied. In Lithuania, the fixed excise tax on diesel exceeds that on gasoline.


Photo: Euronews

Will fuel taxes in Europe decrease in the fall of 2026?

Some governments are already cutting taxes to mitigate the impact of record-high prices. On September 25, the Bundestag approved a 14.04-cent reduction in Germany’s energy tax, effective from October 1 through December 31. Including VAT, this amounts to about 17 cents per liter. In the Czech Republic, a reduction in the diesel tax is expected to save drivers about 10 cents per liter, while Spain has extended its fuel tax breaks.

A broader reform at the EU level has not yet taken place. The European Commission’s 2021 plan called for taxing fuel based on energy content rather than volume, which would have eliminated diesel’s tax advantage. Adoption requires the consent of all 27 member states; however, in November 2025, a compromise text failed to secure unanimous support. According to the ECB’s assessment, prices will fall provided the war in the Middle East ends, supplies through the Strait of Hormuz normalize, and global oil refining capacity recovers.

By the way, the EU is changing the rules for cars starting in November 2026.

Remember! When planning a trip by car to EU countries, it’s worth calculating your fuel costs along the route in advance and arranging insurance. To enter the EU with a car bearing foreign license plates, you’ll need a Green Card—that is, an international auto insurance policy that covers damages to third parties in the event of a traffic accident. You can apply for one on the Visit World portal.

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A reminder! In our previous article, we talked about the world’s most popular cars of 2026.

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