Five European Union finance ministers have urged the European Commission to draft a bloc-wide windfall levy on energy companies to fund consumer relief as price pressures intensify, according to a joint letter dated April 3 addressed to EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra.
The ministers of Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain said the Middle East conflict had driven oil prices higher, imposing “a significant burden” on households and the wider economy, and called for a measure built on a “solid legal basis” aligned with the 2022 emergency solidarity contribution.
They pressed for a coordinated EU instrument to ensure companies benefiting from current market conditions contribute to offsetting the impact on consumers, with proceeds earmarked for temporary relief and measures to curb inflation.
The signatories stressed that a common approach would reinforce policy cohesion across member states while avoiding additional strain on public budgets.
The proposal follows a March 27 Eurogroup discussion highlighting rising business costs, increasing household energy bills and mounting risks to growth, with policymakers underscoring that any response should remain targeted, fair and temporary.
The ministers explicitly pointed to Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1854, which introduced a mandatory temporary contribution on companies active in crude petroleum, natural gas, coal and refining, with revenues directed to support households and businesses facing elevated energy prices.
European Commission is the executive institution of the European Union responsible for initiating legislation, enforcing EU law and coordinating policy across member states. It plays a central role in shaping energy market regulation and crisis-response mechanisms across the bloc.
