In response to escalating fuel prices, Romania has enacted a series of emergency measures aimed at alleviating the economic burden on consumers while simultaneously targeting the oil sector’s profitability. This dual approach combines tax relief for diesel users with new levies on extraordinary profits earned by oil companies.
The Romanian government has decided to temporarily reduce the excise duty on standard diesel, effective from 7 April. The reduction will amount to approximately 0.06 euros per liter, or 0.072 euros including VAT, lowering the excise tax to around 500 euros per 1,000 liters. This adjustment is projected to result in a fiscal impact of about 118 million euros on the state budget.
To counterbalance this revenue loss, authorities have introduced a solidarity levy, which targets companies engaged in crude oil extraction and sales. This levy will only apply to exceptional profits generated under current market conditions and could reach up to 60% of additional earnings. Depending on fluctuations in oil prices, this measure is expected to yield public revenue between 14 and 130 million euros.
This latest regulatory intervention builds upon earlier actions taken at the end of March, when the government declared a temporary crisis in the oil and petroleum products market, set to last from April through June. During this period, authorities also imposed restrictions on commercial margins throughout the fuel supply chain, capping mark-ups to levels recorded in 2025.
Despite these regulatory measures, fuel prices continue to exert significant pressure on consumers and businesses alike. Currently, the average price for 95-octane petrol stands at approximately 1.68 euros per liter, while diesel is priced around 2.025 euros per liter. These figures underscore ongoing challenges in managing energy costs amid geopolitical tensions affecting global markets.
