Business · Energy & Commodities · 17 hrs ago
Italy has the EU’s highest tax share on diesel, consumer group says
After a temporary cut in fuel excise taxes ended on 5 October, Italy had the EU’s highest tax share on diesel, according to consumer group Adusbef.
The group’s calculation, based on European Commission data updated to 19 October, puts taxes at 48% of the diesel price, or €1.08 per litre.
That is 29 cents more tax per litre than the EU average, where taxes account for 37.9% of the price.
Despite its high tax share, Italy ranked seventh for average diesel prices, at €2.244 per litre.
Finland had the highest average price at €2.531 per litre, while Malta had the lowest at €1.21.
Adusbef warned that fuel prices could rise further if discounts and price caps offered by oil companies are not extended.
Consumer group Adusbef says Italy has the EU’s highest tax share on diesel, at 48%.
The figure includes VAT and excise duties and is based on European Commission data updated to October 19.
Adusbef says €1.08 of each litre’s price goes to the state, 29 cents more per litre than the EU average.
The EU average tax share on diesel is 37.9%, while Italy ranks seventh for average pump prices, at €2.244 a litre.
- Who
- Consumer group Adusbef calculated the figures; its president is Antonio Tanza.
- What
- Adusbef says taxes account for 48% of Italy’s diesel price, the highest share in the EU.
- When
- The European Commission data were updated to October 19, 2026. The report was published on October 24.
- Where
- Italy and the European Union.
- Why
- Adusbef says VAT and excise duties make up the tax share. It says the temporary cut in excise duties had ended.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The cut in excise duties expired.
The European Commission data used by Adusbef were updated to this date.
ANSA published Adusbef’s calculation that Italy had the EU’s highest tax share on diesel.
- Italy’s diesel tax share
- 48%
- EU average diesel tax share
- 37.9%
- Tax paid per litre in Italy
- €1.08 goes to the state
- Difference from EU average
- 29 cents more per litre in Italy
- Italy’s average diesel pump price
- €2.244 per litre, ranking seventh in the EU
What people are saying
The data confirm that Italian motorists are the most heavily taxed in Europe on diesel
The State continues to enrich itself thanks to high fuel prices