The new year begins with a long series of price increases impacting transportation, fuel, daily consumption, and services. Several price increases will take effect January 1, 2026, many of which are linked to measures contained in the Budget Law.
Some increases are across the board, while others affect specific sectors or specific territories. However, some expected increases, such as the increase in traffic fines, remain frozen.
All increases expected in 2026
Highway tolls
The inflation-based tariff adjustment is now in effect for almost all motorway concessionaires.
The average increase is 1,5%.
The concessionaires Concessioni del Tirreno (A10 and A12), Ivrea-Turin-Piacenza (A5 and A21) and Strada dei Parchi (A24-A25 and Torano-Pescara branch) are excluded.
On the Salerno-Pompeii-Naples route the price increase rises to 1,925%.
On the Brenner Autobahn, the increase is 1,46%, despite the concession having expired and being re-awarded.
Cigarettes and tobacco
The Budget Law introduces a progressive increase in excise duties over the three-year period 2026-2028.
Cigarettes: +15 cents per pack in 2026, +25 in 2027, +40 from 2028.
Price increases are also expected for cigarettes, rolling tobacco, and e-cigarettes.
Fuels: diesel more expensive
The excise duty on petrol and diesel fuel is now equal.
Gasoline: excise duty reduced by 4,05 cents per liter.
Diesel fuel: corresponding increase in excise duty.
Taking into account VAT, the final impact is approximately 5 cents per litre.
Estimated average prices: €1,73/litre for petrol, €1,784/litre for diesel.
Tourist tax
Municipalities will be able to increase the tax up to 2 euros per night for those staying in accommodation facilities.
In municipalities in Lombardy and Veneto within 30 kilometers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics venues, the tax may be introduced or increased to up to 5 euros per night.
Insurance
Increase the tax rate on ancillary policies:
It rises to 12,5% for coverage related to driver injuries and roadside assistance, for new or renewed contracts.
Shipments outside the EU
The new contribution on shipping has started:
€2 for each package under €150 from countries outside the European Union.
Financial transactions
The so-called Tobin tax doubles:
the rate goes from 0,2% to 0,4% on financial transactions.
Frozen or postponed increases
Traffic fines
No price increases in 2026: the Milleproroghe decree suspends the biennial update of Highway Code penalties.
Airports in Emilia-Romagna
Boarding taxes are exempt at Rimini, Forlì, and Parma airports, thanks to the elimination of the municipal surcharge.
Sugar tax and plastic tax
Taxes on sugary drinks and single-use plastic have been postponed to January 1, 2027.
Changes and revisions to this article
- Article updated on 02/01/2026 at 05:57 PM - Content structure updated
- Article updated on 02/01/2026 at 05:59 PM - Content typo corrected
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
The article discusses various price increases that impact many aspects of daily life. It's important to understand how these increases can change people's habits, but it's unclear whether there are alternatives to these increases.