Overview
- The federal cabinet advanced a draft law that would raise general alcohol, schaumwein and alcopop tax rates by 20 percent, with the change set to take effect on 1 January 2027.
- The Finance Ministry projects roughly €455 million in extra annual revenue from the spirits measure, a figure officials say will help plug the 2027 budget gap.
- Industry groups including the spirits trade association dispute the revenue estimate, saying higher prices will cut sales, trigger substitution to other drinks and reduce tax receipts.
- The tax rise targets spirits, champagne/sekt, liqueur wines and alcopops while leaving the beer tax and wine (which faces only VAT) unchanged, producing modest per‑bottle retail increases in government calculations.
- The alcohol change is part of a wider package that also proposes phased tobacco hikes, shifting the EU plastic levy onto companies and a proposed sugar tax whose design and start date remain unresolved as the bill enters parliamentary review.