Tax on refineries heads toward final approval

13.11.2026 17:01 HotInfo

The Chamber of Deputies completed the second reading of the government's bill on extraordinary taxation of refineries on Friday. MPs could vote definitively on the proposal at the session beginning on November 24. novinky.cz ↗

The proposal is criticized by the opposition ODS, Pirates and Mayors and Independents. Opponents point out that, in their view, the measure is aimed practically at a single company and could limit its further investments in the Czech Republic. They also warn that the costs of the new tax could be passed on into fuel prices. ekonomickydenik.cz ↗

ODS rejects sectoral taxes as such. Its representatives stated in the Chamber that "sectoral taxes are evil." The opposition refers to the proposal as the so-called lex Orlen, since, according to them, it mainly concerns a company operating in the refining industry. info.cz ↗

The government, on the other hand, is pushing the extraordinary taxation of refineries as a standalone measure. Other sectors are not currently facing a similar tax. Industry and Trade Minister Karel Havlíček also stated that the government is not currently considering the introduction of sectoral taxes. seznamzpravy.cz ↗

The debate is also taking place in connection with the draft state budget for next year, which anticipates a deficit of 386 billion koruna. The Budget Committee is dealing with the individual budget chapters as well as the question of possible sectoral taxes. The final form of the taxation of refineries will be decided by the Chamber in the final vote. lidovky.cz ↗