Diesel Excise Increase from 1 January 2027: European Obligation or a Matter of Timing?

The draft budget and fiscal policy for 2027 provides for a 20% increase in the excise duty on diesel fuel starting from 1 January 2027, while for most other excisable products a 10% increase is proposed. According to estimates presented by the Ministry of Finance, this measure could add approximately 67 bani to the price of one litre of diesel fuel.

The Civic Movement “Building Trust” analysed the argument concerning the need to align with the minimum taxation levels applied in the European Union. The conclusion of our position paper is that 1 January 2027 does not represent a mandatory European deadline, but rather forms part of the alignment timetable chosen by the authorities. Even under the timetable proposed by the Government, the Republic of Moldova would not reach the European minimum level by 2029.

The experience of other European states shows that the adjustment process was implemented gradually. Estonia, Malta, Cyprus, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania benefited from transitional periods for reaching the European minimum level of excise duty on diesel fuel.

At the same time, the current economic context must also be taken into account. In September 2026, the maximum price of diesel fuel in the Republic of Moldova reached 35.53 lei/litre, while pressures on the international market remain high.

In this context, the Movement proposes that the authorities consider postponing the 20% increase until 1 January 2028, introducing a mechanism that would take into account developments in international market quotations, and publishing the documents and calculations underpinning the chosen timetable. We also call for an assessment of the impact on transport, prices and the costs borne by farmers.

European integration requires the fulfilment of commitments, but also the use of the flexibility mechanisms provided for under the Moldova–EU framework when justified by the economic and regional context.