After the new jump in prices for gasoline and diesel The Greek government began discussing additional support measures: among the scenarios – new Fuel Passreduction of the special excise tax on fuel and assistance to households before the winter season.
The topic came to the fore after a sharp increase in prices at gas stations. How Already wrote “Athens News”on the islands regular gasoline is close to €2.60 per literpremium – to €2.75and diesel in some places also reached almost €2.60.
– the government acknowledges the existence fiscal reserve for new measures;
– among the options discussed – new Fuel Pass with income and property criteria;
— a possible reduction is being considered ΕΦΚ – special excise tax for fuel;
— support for diesel and heating fuels is discussed separately;
— there are no final decisions yet;
— further steps will depend on oil prices and decisions at the EU level.
Pierrakakis: “We have kept our reserves”
National Economy and Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the government had the resources to intervene further if pressure on families and businesses intensified.
In the official message Ministry of National Economy and Finance it is emphasized that the government deliberately retained part of the budget space “for options for action in difficult moments.”
According to the minister, in the context of the energy crisis, the importance of financial sustainability lies precisely in the fact that it can turn into support for society.
New Fuel Pass is back on the table: the government is preparing measures due to rising prices for gasoline and diesel pic.twitter.com/cZ8R9QDX3m
— Athens News (@russianathens) September 17, 2026
The new Fuel Pass is one of the main scenarios
Among the options discussed after an emergency meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence is the launch new Fuel Pass.
According to Greek media, if such a program is approved, it will most likely be targeted and will take into account income and property car owner.
That is, we are not talking about a guaranteed payment to all motorists. This is currently a scenario being considered and not a decision made.
Excise tax is also being discussed – but the solution is more complicated
The second important scenario is a possible decline Ειδικός Φόρος Κατανάλωσης, ΕΦΚ – special excise tax on fuel.
Pierrakakis did not rule out such a possibility, but made it clear that the government is cautious about permanent and horizontal tax cuts. The reason is simple: a temporary subsidy can be quickly removed once prices normalize, whereas reinstating a tax cut once reduced is politically and technically more difficult.
In addition, some decisions on energy taxes are related to pan-European policies. The topic should also be discussed at the meetings of Eurogroup and ECOFIN.
What has the government already done?
In the spring of 2026, the state already used diesel fuel subsidies. According to official data from the Ministry of Finance, government support amounted to 16 euro cents per liter before VATwhich gave the consumer a reduction of approximately 20 euro cents per liter.
At the same time, the authorities stated that the measure could be extended if international prices remained high.
Now the government is again considering targeted measures, preferring, judging by the minister’s statements, targeted assistance instead of a permanent general tax cut.
Why did the issue become urgent?
On September 17, ERT reported that the average price of unleaded gasoline in the country was close to €2.20 per literand Brent oil rose in price by about 19%.
Although international oil prices fell slightly during the day, retail prices in Greece remain high. The situation is especially dire on the islands, where more expensive logistics and transportation are added to the cost of fuel.
“Athens News” already shown on example of Rhodesthat the difference with mainland Greece has become enormous: diesel there reaches approximately €2,598and 98-100 gasoline – almost up to €2.75 per liter.
Heating is the next question
Separately, the government is going to review measures to support heating fuels before the start of the winter season.
According to Pierrakakis, this issue will be discussed in detail in October. If high energy prices continue, the state will have to solve not only the problem of the cost of automobile fuel, but also household heating costs.
What is important: there is no solution yet
It cannot yet be said that the new Fuel Pass has already been introduced or that the excise tax will be reduced. The government has confirmed that there is financial space for intervention and several options are being discussed, but the final parameters, amounts and criteria have not yet been announced.
Therefore, any announcements about the specific amount of the new Fuel Pass are premature at this stage.
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