Romania proposes extending its diesel excise cut and fuel crisis measures to January 2027

A three-month extension of the fuel crisis regime

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Energy have drafted a decision that would extend the state of crisis on the crude oil and petroleum products market from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027. The draft was published on 26 October 2026 in the government's decision-making transparency process and must now follow the approval steps required by law. The ministries say the aim is to keep protective measures in place against the effects of high fuel prices on the population and the economy. Current measures expire on 31 October, so the decision has to be adopted and published before that date to avoid a gap.

Measures that would stay in force

The draft keeps every measure currently in effect. The main one is the temporary cut to the excise duty on standard diesel, which can range from 5% to 25% depending on price trends. In the second half of October that cut stands at 25%, the maximum the law allows. The draft also keeps a cap on the commercial margin on petrol and diesel, set at no more than what each operator charged on average in 2025, adjusted for inflation. Under the same rules, filling stations may raise prices only once a day, and only until 12:00. Exports and deliveries to other EU states of diesel and crude will still need prior written approval from the Energy Ministry and the Economy Ministry.

What ending the diesel cut would cost

According to the Finance Ministry's estimates, ending the excise reduction would push diesel up by about 0.85 lei per litre at the current market level. With other market conditions unchanged, the average diesel price could rise from about 10.90 lei per litre to around 11.75 lei per litre. For a car with a 50-litre tank, the authorities put the extra cost at about 42 lei, meaning a fill-up of about 588 lei instead of 545 lei at present. These figures describe a scenario, not a forecast of the pump price from November, which will also depend on market developments.

Current average (approx.)10.9

Without excise cut (approx.)11.75

Current average (approx.)

10.9 lei/litre

Without excise cut (approx.)

11.75 lei/litre

Data from the article text

The tax share of the pump price

A spring analysis by the current energy minister, cited in one of the reports, found that nearly 7 of every 10 lei paid at the pump are taxes, covering excise, VAT and other components. The same report notes that the 85 bani increase is only a fraction of what the state collects on each litre. The Finance Ministry framed the draft as a way to limit inflationary pressure and protect purchasing power, and it argued the draft supports businesses in transport, agriculture and logistics.

“Maintaining the measures helps limit inflationary pressures and protect the purchasing power of the population, especially in the cold season.”

Background and next steps

The government declared the crisis state on 26 March 2026 by emergency ordinance, and it became Law 162/2026. The President promulgated the law in August 2026, and it is in force until 31 October 2026, with possible successive extensions by government decision for periods of up to three months. The diesel excise reduction was first scheduled to apply from 1 to 15 September and has been extended repeatedly since then. The draft will be published on the Finance Ministry's website and placed on the government agenda after the legal approval procedure.