Giorgetti signs the decree on variable excise duties; discount on diesel until 26 August
A two-day extension rather than just one, as initially announced
The 17-cent discount on excise duty on diesel will remain in force until 26 August. The Minister for the Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, has signed the ministerial decree activating the ‘floating excise duty’ mechanism – which utilises the additional VAT revenue – extending the discount already provided for in the government’s latest decree-law by two days – 25 and 26 August – rather than just one day as initially announced.
The rebate is covered by €20.8 million of the additional revenue generated between 1 July and 31 July 2026 in relation to periodic value-added tax payments. The text must now be published in the Official Gazette. Until 24 August, however, the discount is covered by the cuts to ministries introduced by the decree-law at the start of August.
According to ministerial sources, this is a stopgap measure. Given that – subject to all the usual caveats – a Cabinet meeting could be convened between Tuesday and Wednesday (though more likely on Wednesday) to approve a further extension ahead of the coming weekend, when the post-holiday exodus is due to take place.
