In recent weeks, messages and videos have circulated on social media warning of an alleged increase in the Single Circulation Tax (IUC) in 2026. Reactions were not long in coming, but the Ministry of Finance has now officially clarified that there will be no increase in the tax, neither for vehicles prior to 2007 nor for more recent ones.
According to the clarification released this Thursday, the Government emphasizes that the changes foreseen in the Agenda for Tax Simplification, presented on January 16th, “only concern the moment of tax payment and the introduction of the possibility of payment in installments”.
What will really change
According to the Ministry of Finance, the changes to the IUC contained in the State Budget proposal for 2026 (OE2026) do not have an impact on the final amount payable, but rather on the way in which payment can be made.
The proposal introduces the possibility of splitting payments into installments, as long as the amount exceeds 100 euros, and also provides for adjustments to the billing schedule to facilitate voluntary compliance and avoid forgetfulness.
“Voluntary compliance is facilitated, the risk of forgetfulness is reduced and fines are avoided”, reads the Ministry’s note. The Government also adds that the measure “will alleviate the financial effort, especially for families with more than one vehicle”, by allowing the amount to be divided into several installments.
“False information” on social media
The clarification comes after a wave of misinformation online, with publications that guaranteed that the Executive would increase the IUC again in 2026, particularly for cars prior to July 2007, the oldest and most polluting.
The Government categorically denies this hypothesis: “In view of the circulation of false information, it is important to clarify that the Government will not proceed with any increase in the IUC for vehicles before or after 2007”, reads the official note.
Ministry sources reinforce that the additional IUC introduced in 2024 remains unchanged and there is no proposal to update or increase this rate.
What remains in 2026
The additional IUC applied since 2024, an environmental surcharge based on CO₂ emissions, remains in force next year, but without changes in value. This additional fee has already been widely contested by motorists’ associations, as it affects vehicles registered before 2007, which until then were exempt from increases.
However, it confirms that the additional will not increase and that there is no new increase foreseen in OE2026.
No increase in tax
The changes to the IUC in 2026 do not represent a tax increase, but a logistical change in the payment method. The Government intends to simplify the process, reduce forgetfulness and allow payment in installments.
On the other hand, the value of the tax, including the additional one created in 2024, remains exactly the same. Finance guarantees that there will be no increases, despite contrary information that continues to circulate online.
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