From tourist taxes to cigarettes, from parcels to financial transactions, 2026 begins with price increases. A flurry of increases kicks in today, partly linked to measures introduced by the budget law.
On a positive note, traffic fines will not increase, thanks to the suspension of the biennial update required by the Milleproroghe decree.
Here are the increases - and the avoided price hikes - that are coming:
TOLL RISE . Tolls are being adjusted for inflation. This 1.5% increase applies to nearly all motorway concessions. The exceptions are Concessioni del Tirreno (A10 and A12 sections), Ivrea-Turin-Piacenza (A5 and A21 sections), and Strada dei Parchi (A24-A25 Rome-L'Aquila motorways and the Torano-Pescara branch), for which no toll increases are expected. On the Salerno-Pompei-Naples concession, however, tolls will increase by 1.925%; while on the Autostrada del Brennero—where the concession has expired and is being reassigned (the tender process is open)—tolls will increase by 1.46%.
MORE EXPENSIVE CIGARETTES . The budget law introduces a progressive increase in the fixed minimum excise duty on cigarettes, cigarillos, and rolling tobacco over the three-year period 2026-2028. For cigarettes, the measure will result in a price increase across all price ranges: an average of about 15 cents per pack in 2026, about 25 cents per pack in 2027, and about 40 cents from 2028. The increases will also apply to e-cigarettes.
DIESEL MORE EXPENSIVE . The budget also establishes equalization of the excise tax rates on gasoline and diesel fuel. Consequently, starting in January, there will be a reduction in the excise tax on gasoline of 4.05 euro cents per liter and a corresponding increase in the excise tax on diesel fuel. Including VAT, Staffetta Quotidiana calculates, the impact on prices will be approximately 5 cents per liter, bringing gasoline to 1.73 euros per liter and diesel to 1.784 euros per liter.
TOURIST TAX INCREASES . In 2026, too, according to the budget, municipalities will be able to increase the tourist tax for those staying in accommodation facilities within their territory, up to €2 per night. Furthermore, under a provision of the advance payment decree, municipalities in Lombardy and Veneto located no more than 30 kilometers from the venues where the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics will be held will be able to introduce the tax or increase it by up to €5.
INSURANCE. The rate on additional policies for driver injury and roadside assistance has been increased to 12.5% for new or renewed contracts.
PARCEL TAX. A €2 fee applies to shipments under €150 arriving from non-EU countries.
FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS. The financial transaction tax rate, the so-called Tobin tax, has doubled (from 0.2% to 0.4%).
NO FINES INCREASES. The Milleproroghe decree suspends the biennial update of fines set forth in the Highway Code until 2026.
EMILIA-ROMAGNA AIRPORTS SAVED. Travelers to certain Emilia-Romagna airports will not be burdened by boarding taxes: the measure provides for exemption from the municipal surcharge on boarding fees at Rimini, Forlì, and Parma airports.
SUGAR AND PLASTIC TAXES POSTPONED. The introduction of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax and the single-use plastic tax has been postponed until January 1, 2027.
(Unioneonline)