Italy Diesel & HVO Excise 2026: Rates and Refund Timeline
📅 Updated 27 August 2026
🏷 Italy Fuel Excise · Diesel Refund · HVO · Road Transport
⏱ 6 min read
Italy has changed and extended its fuel excise measures repeatedly throughout 2026. The latest measure, effective from 27 August to 5 September 2026, sets the excise rate for diesel and qualifying HVO at €532.90 per 1,000 litres. For eligible road transport companies, the exact refuelling date and fuel type can materially affect the effective net fuel cost.
Key Takeaways
- 19 March–22 May: refundable diesel excise was €69.68 per 1,000 litres.
- 23 May–6 June: refundable diesel excise increased to €169.68 per 1,000 litres.
- 7 June–3 July: refundable diesel excise increased to €219.68 per 1,000 litres.
- 4–27 July: refundable diesel excise increased to €269.68 per 1,000 litres.
- From 28 July: the calculated refundable diesel amount fell to €129.68 per 1,000 litres and remains at that level through 5 September under the measures covered by this article.
- 30 July–24 August: diesel and qualifying HVO were aligned at €532.90 per 1,000 litres.
- 25–26 August: diesel remained at €532.90, while the temporary HVO alignment was no longer in force.
- 27 August–5 September: diesel and qualifying HVO are again aligned at €532.90 per 1,000 litres.
Latest Update
Italy extends diesel and HVO excise reduction until 5 September 2026
Italy has introduced a further temporary fuel excise measure covering the period from 27 August through 5 September 2026. The applicable excise rate for diesel used as motor fuel remains €532.90 per 1,000 litres.
For the same period, the €532.90 per 1,000 litres rate also applies to qualifying paraffinic diesel obtained from synthesis or hydrotreatment (HVO), as well as qualifying biodiesel released for consumption as motor fuel.
27 August–5 September 2026
Diesel: €532.90 / 1,000L
Qualifying HVO: €532.90 / 1,000L
Calculated diesel refund: €129.68 / 1,000L
Important HVO change
The ordinary excise rate applicable to qualifying HVO is €617.40 per 1,000 litres. From 27 August, qualifying HVO covered by the temporary measure is brought back into line with diesel at €532.90 per 1,000 litres. The reduced rate applies only to products meeting the conditions specified by the legislation.
2026 Excise Timeline
Diesel and HVO excise rates from March to September 2026
The following table summarises the excise rates applicable to diesel and HVO and the corresponding calculated refundable diesel amount for eligible professional road transport operators.
| Period | Legal measure | Diesel excise | Diesel refund | HVO excise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 March–7 April | DL 33/2026 | €472.90 | €69.68 | €617.40 |
| 8 April–1 May | DL 42/2026 | €472.90 | €69.68 | €472.90 |
| 2–22 May | DL 63/2026 and DM 8 May | €472.90 | €69.68 | €617.40 |
| 23 May–6 June | DL 89/2026 | €572.90 | €169.68 | €572.90 |
| 7 June–3 July | DM 5 June 2026 | €622.90 | €219.68 | €617.40 |
| 4–27 July | Applicable ordinary diesel rate | €672.90 | €269.68 | €617.40 |
| 28–29 July | DM 27 July 2026 | €532.90 | €129.68 | €617.40 |
| 30 July–6 August | DL 133/2026 | €532.90 | €129.68 | €532.90 |
| 7–24 August | DL 139/2026 | €532.90 | €129.68 | €532.90 |
| 25–26 August | DM 20 August 2026 | €532.90 | €129.68 | €617.40 |
| 27 August–5 September | DL 153/2026 | €532.90 | €129.68 | €532.90 |
All excise and refund figures in the table are expressed per 1,000 litres.
Important calculation note
The diesel refund figures shown above are calculated by comparing the applicable diesel excise rate with the professional road transport reference rate of approximately €403.22 per 1,000 litres. The temporary measures generally specify the applicable excise rate rather than separately publishing the resulting refundable amount.
HVO eligibility note
The HVO figures in this article describe the applicable excise rate for qualifying HVO under the relevant measures. Eligibility for professional fuel-tax reimbursement should be checked separately against the applicable Italian rules, product specification and operator documentation.
Diesel Refund
How Italy’s refundable diesel excise changed in 2026
For eligible road transport companies, the calculated refundable diesel amounts applicable during the periods covered by this article are:
| Period | Refund per 1,000L | Equivalent per litre |
|---|---|---|
| 19 March–22 May | €69.68 | 6.968 c/L |
| 23 May–6 June | €169.68 | 16.968 c/L |
| 7 June–3 July | €219.68 | 21.968 c/L |
| 4–27 July | €269.68 | 26.968 c/L |
| 28 July–5 September | €129.68 | 12.968 c/L |
The key point is that the diesel excise rate has remained at €532.90 per 1,000 litres since 28 July under successive temporary measures. The August changes mainly extended the validity of that rate and changed the treatment of qualifying HVO.
HVO Comparison
HVO did not always follow the diesel excise rate
The relationship between diesel and qualifying HVO changed several times during 2026. This makes the exact refuelling date particularly important when comparing the effective cost of the two fuels.
| Period | Diesel excise | HVO excise | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 March–7 April | €472.90 | €617.40 | HVO +€144.50 |
| 8 April–1 May | €472.90 | €472.90 | No difference |
| 2–22 May | €472.90 | €617.40 | HVO +€144.50 |
| 23 May–6 June | €572.90 | €572.90 | No difference |
| 7 June–3 July | €622.90 | €617.40 | HVO −€5.50 |
| 4–27 July | €672.90 | €617.40 | HVO −€55.50 |
| 28–29 July | €532.90 | €617.40 | HVO +€84.50 |
| 30 July–24 August | €532.90 | €532.90 | No difference |
| 25–26 August | €532.90 | €617.40 | HVO +€84.50 |
| 27 August–5 September | €532.90 | €532.90 | No difference |
August Extensions
What changed during August 2026?
The temporary €532.90 diesel rate introduced at the end of July did not end on 6 August. Italy subsequently extended the measure through 24 August, keeping diesel and qualifying HVO aligned at €532.90 per 1,000 litres.
For 25 and 26 August, diesel remained at €532.90 per 1,000 litres, while qualifying HVO was again subject to the €617.40 per 1,000 litres rate.
From 27 August, the latest measure again aligns qualifying HVO with diesel. Both are subject to an excise rate of €532.90 per 1,000 litres through 5 September 2026.
Why the dates matter
For diesel, the calculated refundable amount remains €129.68 per 1,000 litres throughout 28 July–5 September. For HVO, however, the applicable excise rate changed during that period. Companies comparing diesel and HVO therefore need to use the exact refuelling date and fuel classification.
Fleet Cost Impact
What transport companies should consider
The lowest pump price does not necessarily produce the lowest effective fuel cost. Transport companies should compare the net result after refundable excise, recoverable VAT, supplier discounts and the applicable fuel tax rate on the exact date of refuelling.
The changing relationship between diesel and HVO is particularly important. During some periods HVO carried a higher excise rate, during others it had a lower rate, and at several points the two fuels were aligned.
Companies should retain invoices, fuel card records and vehicle eligibility documentation and separate purchases by exact date and fuel type when preparing reimbursement calculations.
Legal References
Sources used for this timeline
- Decree-Law 18 March 2026, No. 33.
- Decree-Law 3 April 2026, No. 42.
- Decree-Law 30 April 2026, No. 63.
- Ministerial Decree 8 May 2026.
- Decree-Law 22 May 2026, No. 89.
- Ministerial Decree 5 June 2026.
- Ministerial Decree 27 July 2026.
- Decree-Law 27 July 2026, No. 133.
- Decree-Law 5 August 2026, No. 139.
- Ministerial Decree 20 August 2026.
- Decree-Law 26 August 2026, No. 153.
- Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM) national excise-rate tables.
- Presidency of the Council of Ministers — Council of Ministers Press Release No. 186, 26 August 2026.
Need clarity on how Italian fuel tax changes affect your fleet costs?
Unvero helps transport companies understand pump prices, excise refunds, VAT and cross-border refuelling decisions.
This article is provided for general information. Refund eligibility depends on the operator, vehicle, fuel product and supporting documentation. Official legislation and Italian ADM instructions should be checked before submitting a reimbursement claim.
