The NORA levy is a small charge on every litre of petrol, diesel, heating oil and other oil products sold in Ireland, and it pays for the country's emergency oil stocks. The standard rate is 2.0c/L; a reduced 0.1c/L applies until 31 October 2026.
What the levy pays for
The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) holds Ireland's strategic oil stocks, which can be released if imports are disrupted. Ireland must keep 90 days' worth.
SEAI reports that imports supplied 100% of Ireland's oil in 2025, so those reserves matter more here than in many countries. The levy funds them and is built into the pump price and every heating-oil quote.
The current rate and when it changes
The standard levy is 2.0c/L. The Government cut it to 0.1c/L as part of its fuel-cost measures: S.I. No. 374/2026 set that rate for August, and S.I. No. 446/2026 keeps it from 1 September 2026 to 31 October 2026.
It is scheduled to return to 2.0c/L on 1 November 2026, though the temporary rate has already been extended more than once.
| Reduced rateUntil 31 October 2026 | 0.1c/L |
|---|---|
| Standard rateScheduled to return on 1 November 2026 | 2.0c/L |
What it adds to a bill
Next to Mineral Oil Tax and VAT the levy is small. On a 500-litre heating-oil delivery the reduced rate adds €0.57, including the 13.5% VAT on it; the standard rate adds €11.35.
On a 50-litre fill of petrol or diesel, with VAT at 23%, it is €0.06 at the reduced rate and €1.23 at the standard rate.
| 500L heating oilReduced rate → standard rate | €0.57 → €11.35 |
|---|---|
| 1,000L heating oilReduced rate → standard rate | €1.14 → €22.70 |
| 50L petrol or dieselReduced rate → standard rate | €0.06 → €1.23 |
All fuels
How much of Irish fuel prices is tax?
Petrol, diesel and heating oil compared, with the full rate tables and upcoming changes.
Heating oil
Today's heating-oil prices
Recent prices from oil suppliers in your county.
Common questions
What is the NORA levy?
A per-litre charge on oil products sold in Ireland that funds the National Oil Reserves Agency, which holds the country's emergency oil stocks.
What is the NORA levy rate now?
0.1c/L until 31 October 2026. It is scheduled to return to the standard 2.0c/L on 1 November 2026.
Does the NORA levy apply to home heating oil?
Yes. It applies to heating oil as well as petrol and diesel. On a 500-litre delivery it adds €0.57 at the reduced rate, or €11.35 at the standard rate, including VAT.
Is VAT charged on the NORA levy?
Yes. The levy is part of the selling price, and VAT is charged on the full selling price.
Sources
Prices are the European Commission's weekly averages for Ireland, not live quotes. Rates come from Revenue, the Irish Statute Book and Government notices, and can change. Figures were last checked on 10 Oct 2026.
- NORA levy and oil-stock information (National Oil Reserves Agency)
- NORA oil stocks (National Oil Reserves Agency)
- NORA Amendment Act 2026 (Irish Statute Book)
- S.I. No. 374/2026 NORA levy order (Irish Statute Book)
- S.I. No. 446/2026 NORA levy order (No. 3) (Irish Statute Book)
- Government decision extending reduced petrol and diesel excise rates (Department of the Taoiseach)
- SEAI Interim National Energy Balance 2025 (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)
- Revenue current VAT rates (Revenue)