Motorists in Montenegro have experienced only partial relief from falling global fuel prices, after the government decided to reinstate most of the temporarily reduced excise duties introduced earlier this year.
The decision was adopted late at night, just before the deadline for calculating new retail fuel prices, and came into force immediately. However, it was not publicly announced until the following morning, several hours after implementation had already begun, raising questions about transparency in policy timing.
Under the revised structure, the excise duty on diesel has been restored to its full level of €0.44 per liter. Excise rates on the two petrol grades have also been increased to 95% of the standard rate, reaching €0.5215 per liter, compared with the full rate of €0.549 per liter.
Compared with pre-crisis levels in February, fuel prices remain significantly higher. Diesel is now around €0.32 per liter more expensive, while petrol grades are up by approximately €0.25–€0.26 per liter. Higher fuel costs have also boosted VAT revenues, since the 21% tax is applied to the final retail price, including excise duties.
The government had originally introduced temporary relief on 20 March, cutting diesel excise duties by 50% and reducing petrol duties by 25%. As international fuel prices later declined, authorities gradually reversed part of those reductions, limiting the extent of retail price decreases.
The timing of these fiscal adjustments has drawn attention, as excise changes have often been introduced only hours before new fuel prices take effect. Critics argue that such last-minute policy shifts may raise concerns about predictability and transparency, especially since excise obligations are triggered when fuel imports are declared to customs authorities.
