The Spanish government is raising the tax relief on diesel (Gasóleo) to 20 cents per litre from 1 September 2026 20 cents per litre . The trigger is the final July data from the Índice de Precios al Consumo (IPC): according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE) diesel became July 2026 15.7 per cent more expensive than in July 2025. This activates the safeguard clause provided for in the Real Decreto-ley 18/2026 . The planned reduction for petrol remains at 5 cents per litre.
Real Decreto-ley 18/2026 provides for a phased withdrawal of the relief measures introduced in previous years for the Impuesto sobre Hidrocarburos. If the change in the relevant IPC category in any month exceeds the 15 per cent threshold, the relief automatically increases to 20 cents per litre. The Ministry of Economy (Ministerio de Economía, Comercio y Empresa) confirmed that this mechanism would apply after analysing INE data on 13 August 2026.
According to the INE, July inflation for petrol was 7.3 per cent year on year, below the threshold. The safeguard clause therefore does not apply to petrol; the planned phased reduction – 5 cents per litre from September – remains in place. The measure deliberately differentiates between product groups, intervening only where a sharp price rise has been demonstrated.
Context and interests: The measure is part of a package to cushion energy-price-driven inflation and support transport-intensive sectors. Relief increased to 20 cents mainly benefits commercial users and road freight; it also temporarily reduces tax revenue. Households with oil-fired heating benefit only indirectly, as the measure is linked to fuel sales.
Assessment and outlook: The clause’s activation for September 2026 in the Gasóleo segment is confirmed. Whether the relief is extended or reduced again will depend on forthcoming Índice de Precios al Consumo (IPC) releases, international crude oil and refinery prices, and political decisions under Real Decreto-ley 18/2026. Reliable statements about developments beyond that are not currently possible.
Editor: Daniel Mayer (Article created with AI assistance).