Minister for Rural Development and Food Margaritis Schinas has announced an increase in the maximum quantities of agricultural diesel eligible for an exemption from the Special Consumption Tax (SCT), from 150% to 200% of the reference volume, as well as the immediate launch of a process to update the diesel consumption tables for each crop.
The announcements were made during the presentation of the myDiesel digital application.
The new system will come into effect on 1 November, providing for the direct exemption from the SCT and the corresponding VAT when agricultural diesel is purchased at fuel stations, eliminating the need for farmers to pay the tax upfront and subsequently claim a refund.
“This is one of the longest-standing demands of Greek farmers. They fought for it and won,” Schinas said, describing the implementation of the measure as “one of the most significant achievements of the farmers’ movement”.
He stressed that the government was delivering on its commitment to the farming community. “We said we would do it, and we have,” he noted, adding that the new procedure was being introduced at a time when producers were facing rising production costs.
According to the minister, high prices for energy, fuel and fertilisers, among other inputs, combined with uncertainty stemming from international developments, are creating a challenging environment for the primary sector.
Three key changes
Outlining the benefits of the new procedure, Schinas highlighted three key changes.
The first concerns the increase in the maximum eligible diesel volume from 150% to 200% of the reference quantity, which is determined according to the type of crop.
The second change concerns how the tax relief is granted. Until now, farmers had to pay the full price of diesel, including the SCT, and then wait for a refund. From 1 November, the exemption will be applied directly at the pump for the quantities to which each farmer is entitled.
“Fill up, scan and go,” the minister said, stressing that farmers would no longer need to pay the tax upfront or wait for their money to be refunded.
According to the Minister of Rural Development and Food, total tax relief for eligible farmers amounts to €0.5084 per litre of agricultural diesel, comprising €0.41 in Special Consumption Tax and €0.0984 in the corresponding VAT.
On this basis, the financial benefit amounts to €254.20 for a purchase of 500 litres of agricultural diesel and €508.40 for 1,000 litres.
At the same time, raising the maximum eligible diesel volume from 150% to 200% of the reference quantity allows farmers to purchase larger volumes free of the relevant taxes. For example, for a crop with a reference consumption rate of 10 litres per stremma, the maximum eligible volume increases from 15 to 20 litres per stremma.
The third change concerns the ability to identify eligible beneficiaries individually through the digital system, allowing the quantities of diesel allocated to each farmer to be determined.
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