How long does the diesel discount last?

The discount of 17 cents per litre (between excise and VAT) remains in force until Wednesday 26 August 2026. It was originally scheduled for Monday, August 24, but the Italian government issued a decree to extend it by two days. After this date, without new economic resources, the price of diesel will increase to the level before the discount.

Why did the government limit the extension to just two days?

According to the decree signed by the ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy) and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (Environment), the funds so far allocated to the discount have been fully used. To maintain the reduction beyond 26 August, the government would need to identify new economic resources in the budget, which was not possible.

How do the mobile excise duties that finance the discount work?

Mobile excise duties are a mechanism whereby, when the price of fuels increases on the market, the VAT collected by the State also increases (calculated as a percentage of the sale price). This higher VAT revenue is destined to a reduction in excise duties, thus reducing the final price to the consumer. The discount therefore varies according to the income generated during the phases of international increase.

What is the price of gasoline with this discount?

Petrol is NOT included in the government excise tax discount. The average price of petrol remains around 2.08 euros per litre without any intervention, while diesel, with a reduction of 17 cents, stands at around 2.20 euros per litre.

When did this diesel discount start?

The reduction in excise duties on diesel was reintroduced on July 28, 2026, after a new increase in fuel prices linked to international tensions, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East. A first extension had arrived on August 4, 2026, with the deadline initially set at August 24.

Diesel: 17 cents off until Wednesday, August 26th (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 26 August 2026

Italian fuel pump displaying diesel price at 2.20 euros per liter

The Italian government extends the 17% discount on diesel excise duties until Wednesday 26 August. Average price: diesel €2.20/litre, petrol €2.08/litre.

Context

In a nutshell

Discount on diesel extended until Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Reduction of 17 cents per litre between excise duties and VAT
Average diesel price €2.20/litre, petrol €2.08/litre
Funds terminated, no new extension planned

Key facts

What: Extension of the discount on diesel excise duties
When: Until Wednesday 26 August 2026
Where: Italy
Who: Ministries of Economy and Environment (Giorgetti and Pichetto Fratin)
Amount: 17 cents per litre (excise + VAT)
Original deadline: Monday, August 24, 2026
Start of measurement: 28 July 2026

The Italian government extended the discount on diesel fuel until Wednesday 26 August, granting a short extension of only two days compared to the original deadline of Monday 24 August. The measure, formalized through a decree signed by the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti and the Minister of the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, maintains an overall reduction of 17 cents per liter resulting from the excise duty cut and the consequent effect on VAT applied to the final price of fuel.

With the subsidy still active, the average price of diesel is around 2.20 euros per litre. For petrol, on the other hand, there is no intervention, and the average indicated remains around 2.08 euros per litre. This differential between the two fuels is due exclusively to the government measure on diesel: without the discount, the price would rise significantly.

Chronicle

Operational details

What it means for those heading to Switzerland

Cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Lombardy, Piedmont, or the Ticino border areas face daily cross‑border mobility expenses. The car is the main means of crossing the Chiasso, Brogeda and Gaggiolo border points — not only for freight transport, but above all for daily commuters who, from Varese, Como, Busto Arsizio and neighbouring towns, reach the cantons of Ticino and inland Switzerland.

Fuel prices directly affect the monthly budget of these workers. With the discount of 17 cents per litre still active until Wednesday, 26 August, those who refuel in Italy save a non‑negligible amount. A commuter who uses 40 litres per month saves today about €6.80 per month compared with the price without the discount. For those who consume 60 litres per month (longer journeys or additional routes), the discount represents a saving of about €10.20 per month. On the mobility‑cost calculator you can estimate your personal saving.

After 26 August: return to full prices

Once the extension ends, the price of Italian diesel will rise significantly. Without the 17‑cent reduction, those who refuel in Italy will have to face higher prices, with the increase having an impact proportional to the amount of fuel consumed for commuting. Cross‑border workers who have planned their refuelling knowing the deadline should start monitoring prices in the last weeks of August, possibly anticipating refills before the measure ends.

It is important to stress that gasoline is excluded from this concession, so drivers of petrol‑powered cars have not benefited from the discount. This creates an asymmetry: diesel‑car owners have enjoyed an economic advantage, while others have not.

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Key points

How to organize supplies: practical actions

There are a few days left before the expiry of the measure. If you are a frontier worker who crosses the Brogeda or Chiasso crossings on a daily basis and consumes Italian fuel, you can take some concrete actions to reduce the impact of the price increase that will come after August 26.

Step 1: Track the price until Wednesday, August 26

Many fuel distributors in Italy (both local and large chains) publish their prices online and through dedicated apps. In the next 24-48 hours, check where the cheapest gas stations are located on your way to Switzerland, between Varese and the border. It is not uncommon to find differences of a few cents between different stations, even in the same area. Anticipating your supply by a few days could save you a few euros.

Step 2: Calculate your monthly consumption and plan

If you don't know the average monthly consumption of your car, now is the time to calculate it. Formula: litres supplied divided by kilometres travelled = average consumption per litre. Once you have this figure, you'll know exactly how much you'll save until August 26th and how much more you'll spend after that. For example, if you consume 50 liters per month, after August 26 you will pay 8.50 euros more than today (50 × 0.17). Multiplied by 12 months, the annual impact is 102 euros. These numbers become even more significant if your consumption is higher.

Step 3:

Compare the CHF/EUR exchange rate in real time across providers: save up to 1.5% on monthly transfer fees.

Source: varesenews.it

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the diesel discount last?: The discount of 17 cents per litre (between excise and VAT) remains in force until Wednesday 26 August 2026. It was originally scheduled for Monday, August 24, but the Italian government issued a decree to extend it by two days. After this date, without new economic resources, the price of diesel will increase to the level before the discount.
Why did the government limit the extension to just two days?: According to the decree signed by the ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti (Economy) and Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (Environment), the funds so far allocated to the discount have been fully used. To maintain the reduction beyond 26 August, the government would need to identify new economic resources in the budget, which was not possible.
How do the mobile excise duties that finance the discount work?: Mobile excise duties are a mechanism whereby, when the price of fuels increases on the market, the VAT collected by the State also increases (calculated as a percentage of the sale price). This higher VAT revenue is destined to a reduction in excise duties, thus reducing the final price to the consumer. The discount therefore varies according to the income generated during the phases of international increase.
What is the price of gasoline with this discount?: Petrol is NOT included in the government excise tax discount. The average price of petrol remains around 2.08 euros per litre without any intervention, while diesel, with a reduction of 17 cents, stands at around 2.20 euros per litre.
When did this diesel discount start?: The reduction in excise duties on diesel was reintroduced on July 28, 2026, after a new increase in fuel prices linked to international tensions, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East. A first extension had arrived on August 4, 2026, with the deadline initially set at August 24.