Portugal's Chega challenges 710 million euro fuel tax as Finance Ministry defends legality

Chega challenges fuel levy

Chega party leader André Ventura accused the Portuguese government on Monday of improperly collecting hundreds of millions of euros from drivers through fuel taxation. The dispute centers on the Road Service Contribution (CSR), a mechanism that generated 710 million euros for state road operator Infraestruturas de Portugal in 2025, marking the highest annual revenue since 2015. Speaking to reporters in Évora on 24 August 2026, Ventura argued that the executive continues to charge motorists under modified tax rules despite a 2022 adverse ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union. He cited a 17 August price comparison between Portugal and Spain indicating that fuel base costs were similar, placing the blame for consumer price differences on domestic taxes.

Ventura confirmed that Chega submitted formal written questions to the Ministry of Finance in the Assembly of the Republic and plans to summon the minister to testify before lawmakers.

The state is stealing from us on fuel, and this is unacceptable.

Government defends legality of funding structure

The Ministry of Finance responded by rejecting claims that an illegal tax remains in place, stating that Portugal's road financing framework complies fully with European Union law and domestic statutes. Following the 2022 European court decision, the government at the time enacted legislation to abolish the original CSR structure. Road network maintenance under Infraestruturas de Portugal was subsequently funded by earmarking a fixed portion of revenue collected through the standard tax on petroleum and energetic products (ISP).

According to the Finance Ministry, the statutory amounts allocated from the fuel tax have remained unchanged since the 2022 restructuring, standing at 8.7 cents per liter for petrol, 11.1 cents per liter for diesel, and 12.3 cents per kilogram for autogas.

The financing of the national road network managed by Infraestruturas de Portugal, which had been funded by revenue from that contribution, came to be ensured through the earmarking of a portion of revenue from the tax on petroleum and energetic products.

Fuel price volatility and broader political demands

The taxation clash coincides with months of shifting retail fuel prices after international energy markets were disrupted on 28 February 2026. Data from the Directorate-General for Energy and Geology showed Portuguese diesel prices rose 15 times and fell 10 times across Monday price adjustments between late February and mid-August. Projections by the Automóvel Club de Portugal for Monday, 24 August 2026, placed pump prices at 2.061 euros per liter for simple diesel and 1.985 euros per liter for 95 petrol, up from 1.596 euros and 1.681 euros recorded on 28 February. Brent crude oil closed slightly below 94 dollars per barrel on the preceding Friday.

During his appearance in Évora, Ventura also reiterated demands for the dismissal of Internal Administration Minister Luís Neves, stating the minister lacks conditions to remain in office. Chega previously launched an initiative for a parliamentary commission of inquiry and requested a formal dismissal vote in the Assembly of the Republic. Ventura stated that he spoke directly with the President of the Republic about the matter, criticizing the prime minister for failing to exercise authority over his cabinet.