Brussels, April 7, 2026 (Lusa) - The European Commission has said it was analysing a request from Portugal, Germany, Spain, Italy and Austria to create a windfall tax on energy companies, whilst stressing that the current situation differs from the 2022 energy crisis.
"We have received the letter. We are currently analysing it and will respond in due course," an EU official said in a written response to Lusa. This followed a letter from Finance Minister Joaquim Miranda Sarmento and his German, Spanish, Italian and Austrian counterparts.
The spokesperson said the commission is working closely with member states on targeted policy measures to address Europe’s current energy crisis.
"While we are not in the same situation, it is important to consider the lessons from 2022, including the temporary EU solidarity contribution," the official added.
The finance minister and his counterparts from Austria, Germany, Italy and Spain asked Brussels to create an EU-wide windfall tax on energy profits, similar to measures used in 2022.
Sarmento signed the joint letter along with federal finance ministers Markus Marterbauer (Austria) and Lars Klingbeil (Germany), Italy’s economy and finance minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, and Spain’s economy, trade and business minister Carlos Cuerpo.
The letter, dated 3 April, was addressed to Wopke Hoekstra, the European commissioner for climate, carbon neutrality and clean growth.
The ministers said that given current market distortions and budget constraints, the European Commission must quickly develop an instrument similar to the 2022 temporary solidarity contribution.
In 2022, following the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, EU energy ministers approved a 33% tax on excess profits from fossil fuel companies. This "solidarity contribution" redistributed funds to vulnerable citizens, capped profits for low-cost (renewable) electricity producers and established power consumption reduction plans.
The five ministers now say a similar contribution should be established across the EU with a "solid legal basis".
They said this work would fund temporary relief measures for consumers and curb inflation without overstretching public budgets.
ANE/LYT // AYLS
Lusa
