Conversion law 79/2026 confirms reduced excise duties on petroleum products through 22 May 2026, while delivering EUR 110 million in targeted tax credits to road haulage and fishing sectors battling elevated fuel costs.
Italy’s government has finalised its fuel decree with the publication of Conversion Law Number 79/2026 in the Official Journal on 16 May 2026. The legislation makes Legislative Decree number 33/2026 into permanent law, maintaining reduced excise duties on petroleum products and introducing targeted support for transportation and fishing industries affected by volatile international oil markets.
Excise duty reductions extended
The decree initially lowered excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas starting 19 March 2026 for a twenty-day period. Subsequent amendments through Legislative Decrees 42/2026 and 63/2026 adjusted rates and extended relief through 10 May 2026.
A ministerial decree issued on 8 May 2026 pushed the deadline to 22 May 2026 while setting current rates at EUR 622.90 per thousand litres for petrol, EUR 472.90 per thousand litres for diesel, EUR 242.77 per thousand kilograms for LPG, and zero euros per cubic meter for natural gas used as motor fuel.
Industry-specific tax credits
Road haulage companies can claim credits covering increased diesel expenses compared to February 2026 prices tracked by the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security. The government allocated EUR 100 million for this measure, available to Italian-based transport firms conducting freight operations.
Fishing businesses receive support through a separate 10 million euro fund, covering up to 20% of diesel and gasoline costs for vessels purchased during March, April, and May, based on invoices excluding VAT.
Both credits must be used as tax offsets by 31 December 2026. The benefits do not count toward income calculations for direct taxation or regional business tax purposes and can be combined with other incentives within actual expenditure limits.
A similar agricultural sector credit was previously established under Legislative Decree 42/2026.
