Belgian Diesel Price Tops 2.5 Euros for First Time

The official maximum price for diesel (B7) in Belgium rose by 3.3 eurocents to 2.501 euros per litre on Tuesday 22 September 2026, crossing the 2.50 euro threshold for the first time in the country’s history. The new record, set by the Federal Public Service (FOD) Economy, surpasses the previous high of 2.489 euros per litre recorded in early April 2026 and leaves diesel 44.82% more expensive than a year ago.

The increase is the latest consequence of the war in the Middle East, where disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure have pushed global crude prices sharply higher. In response, the construction federation Bouwunie has called on the federal government to introduce a temporary refund of diesel excise duties for construction vans, arguing that fuel costs are eroding the sector’s already thin margins.

A Record Built on a Summer of Escalation

The run-up to Tuesday’s record has been steep. Diesel stood at 2.241 euros per litre on 25 August before beginning a sustained climb, crossing 2.4 euros on 10 September and reaching 2.468 euros by 15 September as Brent crude breached 100 US dollars a barrel for the first time since 24 July. According to VRT NWS, the surge reflects a combination of US–Iran military escalation, uncertainty over tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, and drone attacks on Saudi oil installations.

The pressure is not confined to diesel. The European gas price climbed above 83 euros per megawatt-hour in mid-September, its highest level since January 2023, and ECB board member Isabel Schnabel warned that rising energy costs were “quite worrying.” Belgium’s social energy tariffs are also set to rise from 1 October, with electricity up 7% and gas up 11.4%.

Bouwunie: A “Temporary Crisis Measure”

Against that backdrop, Bouwunie — the federation representing self-employed workers and small construction firms — has asked the government to extend an existing excise-recovery scheme to professionally used light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. A system already allows certain professional users to recover part of the special excise duty on diesel; Bouwunie wants construction vans temporarily included.

Twain De Hondt, director of the study service at Bouwunie, framed the impact in concrete terms. “If a company has five delivery vans running on diesel, refuelling at current prices costs about 900 euros more per month than, for example, in March of this year,” De Hondt said. “If the situation persists, the extra costs run up to more than 10,000 euros per year — costs they cannot pass on, or only to a limited extent.”

The federation described the proposal as a “temporary crisis measure” that would give construction companies “the necessary breathing room now that exceptionally high fuel prices are putting pressure on their competitiveness and margins.” Bouwunie said it is in talks with the competent minister about the request.

The concerns extend across the sector. Niko Demeester, CEO of the larger construction federation Embuild, warned that higher costs are “unavoidable” and that “our companies work with small margins and cannot fully bear such sustained price increases themselves.” Belgian builders are simultaneously contending with higher material prices, including plastic up 20%, bricks up 11%, and steel up 13.6% year-on-year, according to Embuild data reported by HLN.

The “Reverse Cliquet” and a Coalition Under Pressure

The diesel record has intensified a political debate over how — or whether — to cushion consumers and businesses. At the centre is the so-called omgekeerde cliquet (reverse cliquet), a mechanism that would automatically lower excise duties when fuel prices exceed a set threshold. Belgium already operates a cliquet system that raises excises when prices fall to protect state revenue; the reverse version would work in the opposite direction.

David Clarinval, the federal Minister of Economy (MR), has championed the idea. As Business AM reported, Clarinval proposed activating the reverse cliquet to offset rising fuel costs, and RTBF later confirmed the measure would be “the subject of a specific discussion.”

Not everyone is convinced it will be enough. In a March 2026 press release, the SME organisation UNIZO said the reverse cliquet “can indeed support, but is insufficient,” adding that entrepreneurs facing rising energy bills “need other measures that effectively reduce their costs.”

Opposition PS president Paul Magnette has gone further, demanding federal measures and warning that “otherwise people will soon have to pay to go to work.” The MR’s proposal has also drawn support from Les Engagés and CD&V, according to De Tijd. Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) has urged calm, and no decision had been taken as the government’s core met on Tuesday to discuss the 2027 budget.

A European Pattern

Belgium is not acting in isolation. Germany has cut fuel excise by 17 cents per litre and introduced a maximum price; France has announced support measures for households and businesses; and Italy has suspended road tax for roughly 14.5 million low-power vehicles. French fishers have blockaded southern ports over fuel costs, while Belgian labour unions have scheduled a demonstration on 9 October and a possible general strike the week of 23 November.

The underlying risk may be structural rather than cyclical. Goldman Sachs warned in early August 2026 of a potential global diesel shortage, given frequent damage to Middle Eastern refineries and reduced Russian refinery output following Ukrainian strikes. Diesel is essential for freight, logistics, agriculture, construction machinery and shipping — sectors with limited short-term alternatives.

What to Watch

Tuesday brought a possible reprieve: oil and gas prices fell after positive signals from the Middle East, with Brent slipping toward 98 US dollars amid reports that Iran could offer to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days if the United States takes “first steps” to ease military pressure. Energy Minister Mathieu Bihet has said no supply problems are expected, citing more than 90 days of strategic oil reserves.

Still, whether prices retreat fast enough to ease pressure on Belgian construction firms — and whether the federal government adopts the reverse cliquet or a targeted excise refund — remains an open question. With the 2027 budget under negotiation and unions preparing autumn action, the diesel record is likely to remain a live political battleground in the weeks ahead.