The federal government announced on May 13, 2026, a subsidy of up to R$ 0.89 per liter of gasoline and R$ 0.35 per liter of diesel, to be implemented via Executive Decree that President Lula will issue in the coming days. The program will cost around R$ 2.9 billion monthly — R$ 1.2 billion for gasoline (with an initial subsidy of R$ 0.40 per liter) and R$ 1.7 billion for diesel, according to Planning Minister Bruno Moretti. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"A medida será implementada por meio de uma medida provisória (MP) a ser editada presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Segundo o governo, a ajuda poderá chegar a até R$ 0,8925 por litro de gasolina e R$ 0,3515 por litro de diesel."
"Com o subsídio estimado em R$ 0,40 para a gasolina, explicou Moretti, o custo para o governo federal ficará em R$ 1,2 bilhão por mês. No caso do diesel, a nova subvenção custará R$ 1,7 bilhão mensais"
The mechanism will work as a "tax cashback": ANP will pay directly to refineries and importers a refund of federal taxes (PIS, Cofins and Cide) already collected on fuels. The measure responds to rising international oil prices — from less than US$ 70 to more than US$ 100 per barrel — caused by the Middle East war, according to Agência Brasil. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O pagamento será feito por meio da Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP), diretamente às empresas produtoras e importadoras."
"Antes do conflito, o barril do tipo Brent era negociado abaixo de US$ 70. Agora, a cotação já supera os US$ 100 no mercado internacional."
The government claims the measure will be fiscally neutral, with costs offset by extraordinary revenues from oil sector royalties and dividends. However, the program adds to other price containment measures that already cost R$ 13 billion, according to Moretti. The primary result target for 2026 is a surplus of R$ 34.3 billion, but the budget forecasts a deficit of R$ 23.3 billion when including spending outside the fiscal framework. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"o projeto do Orçamento de 2026 tem meta de superávit primário de R$ 34,3 bilhões, equivalente a 0,25% do Produto Interno Bruto (PIB, soma das riquezas produzidas no país). No entanto, ao incluir gastos fora do arcabouço fiscal, a estimativa é de déficit de R$ 23,3 bilhões"
"As subvenções até aqui, todas elas juntas tem um limite de R$ 10 bilhões"
The subsidy will have an initial validity of two months, with possibility of extension. Benefited companies must prove they pass the reduction to final consumers, and the discount will appear on invoices. ANP has intensified inspection at gas stations to combat abusive prices, working with Procons and security agencies. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O subsídio terá validade inicial de dois meses, com possibilidade de prorrogação caso a crise internacional continue pressionando os preços."
"A Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP), em conjunto com Procons e órgãos de segurança, intensificou a fiscalização em distribuidoras e postos de combustíveis em todo o país."
The subsidy will be paid directly by ANP to refineries and importers as a refund of federal taxes
The measure responds to oil price increases from less than US$ 70 to more than US$ 100 caused by the Middle East war
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (2)
ANP has intensified inspection at gas stations to combat abusive prices
-
What is the specific legal foundation that authorizes the president to issue the Executive Decree?
Why it's still unknown: No source cites the constitutional articles or law that supports the act. Sources only mention that an Executive Decree will be issued, without specifying the legal basis.
-
How does the government prove the promised 'fiscal neutrality' given the budget deficit of R$ 23.3 billion?
Why it's still unknown: The government claims royalty revenues will offset spending, but provides no specific estimates of expected extraordinary revenues versus the R$ 2.9 billion monthly cost.
-
What is the risk of legal challenge to the Executive Decree for violating relevance and urgency requirements?
Why it's still unknown: No source consulted legal experts about the constitutionality of the Executive Decree or mentioned Supreme Court precedents on constitutional requirement oversight.
-
What is the real effectiveness of previous R$ 13 billion measures in containing prices at gas pumps?
Why it's still unknown: Sources do not present ANP data on consumer price evolution versus spending on subsidies already implemented.