Lithuania Pollution Tax Calculator 2026 — CO2 Emission Rates & Costs

Quick answer

Lithuania pollution tax 2026: up to 130 g/km CO2 inclusive — €0 for all cars. Above this threshold the rate rises every 10 g/km and depends on fuel type: petrol €21.63–389.34, diesel €43.26–778.68, gas €19.47–350.41, electric vehicles — €0. The €0 band covers not only hybrids (Toyota Corolla Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid) but also efficient diesels (VW Golf 2.0 TDI, 123 g/km). Euro standard does not change the tax amount. The tax is not annual — it is paid when registering a car in Lithuania and every time the keeper changes. This article covers the full rate table, calculation examples, and when the tax is due.

Lithuania's pollution tax (taršos mokestis) in 2026: up to 130 g/km CO2 — €0, and above this threshold diesel cars from €43.26 to €778.68, petrol from €21.63 to €389.34, gas from €19.47 to €350.41. The tax is paid when registering a car in Lithuania for the first time, re-registering one from another EU country, and on a change of keeper. Below you'll find the full rate table by CO2 emissions and fuel type, along with calculation examples and practical tips on how to reduce the tax.

What Is the Pollution Tax and Who Pays It?

The pollution tax (officially — environmental pollution tax for registered vehicles) is a one-time fee paid when registering a car in Lithuania. It was introduced in 2020 to discourage the import of high-emission vehicles.

When the tax applies:

• Registering a new car in Lithuania for the first time
• Registering a used car brought in from abroad (EU and non-EU)
• On a change of keeper — the legal term “registration” also covers recording a change of keeper, so the tax also applies when buying a car within Lithuania

When the tax is €0:

• Electric vehicles — always
• Any car whose CO2 emissions are up to 130 g/km inclusive — whether hybrid, petrol, or diesel

Important: the pollution tax is not annual — it is tied not to the calendar year but to the act of registration. It is therefore calculated afresh every time the vehicle is registered or a change of keeper is recorded.

Pollution Tax Rates 2026 — Full Table

Petrol Cars (including petrol hybrids and PHEVs)

Diesel Cars (including diesel hybrids)

Diesel is exactly 2× more expensive than petrol at the same CO2 levels. The difference is written into the law itself: the base unit is €30 for diesel and €15 for petrol.

Gas cars (petrol/gas, LPG, ethanol)

Euro standard does NOT change the tax

The most common myth is that a Euro 4 or Euro 3 car attracts an extra multiplier. There is no such coefficient in the law: the tax is determined by CO2 emissions and fuel type only. Two cars with the same CO2 pay the same, even if one is Euro 6 and the other Euro 4.

What does change the amounts is the indexation coefficient. In Annex 1 of the law the base unit for each 10 g/km bracket above 130 g/km is €30 (diesel), €15 (petrol) and €13.50 (gas), and the final amount is obtained by multiplying by the annual coefficient: in 2025 it was 1.394, in 2026 — 1.442. So for a diesel car at 131–140 g/km: 1 × €30 × 1.442 = €43.26.

When there is no factory CO2 figure

Older cars' documents may not list CO2. In that case it is calculated using the formulas in Annex 2 of the law — from mass in running order (m, kg) and maximum engine power (p, kW):

For diesels, power is not included in the formula — that is how the law is written. The calculated figure is usually higher than the true factory figure, so it is worth checking whether factory CO2 really is missing from the documents.

How to Calculate the Pollution Tax — 5 Examples

Example 1: Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid (2022)

• CO2: 101 g/km
• Fuel: petrol/electric (hybrid)
• Tax: €0 — CO2 does not reach the 130 g/km threshold

Example 2: Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI (2020)

• CO2: 128 g/km
• Fuel: diesel
• Tax: €0 — the threshold also applies to diesels, not only hybrids

Example 3: BMW X5 3.0d (2018)

• CO2: 198 g/km
• Fuel: diesel
• Tax: €302.82 — 191–200 g/km bracket, diesel column

Example 4: Audi Q7 3.0 TDI (2015)

• CO2: 209 g/km
• Fuel: diesel
• Tax: €346.08 — 201–210 g/km bracket

Example 5: BMW X6 M50d (2014)

• CO2: 235 g/km
• Fuel: diesel
• Tax: €475.86 — 231–240 g/km bracket. The car is Euro 4, but that has no effect on the tax

The golden rule: the tax is determined by only two things — CO2 and fuel type. The same 198 g/km for a petrol engine would cost €151.41, i.e. exactly half as much as for diesel.

Which Cars Pay €0 Pollution Tax?

Electric vehicles (always €0)

• Tesla Model 3, Model Y
• VW ID.3, ID.4
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Kia EV6
• BMW iX3, iX
• Nissan Leaf
• Renault Zoe

Plug-in hybrids (PHEV) — practically always €0

• Toyota RAV4 PHEV (22 g/km) — €0
• BMW 330e (37 g/km) — €0
• Volvo XC60 T8 (29 g/km) — €0
• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (46 g/km) — €0

Fuel-efficient petrol, hybrid and diesel cars (up to 130 g/km — €0)

• Toyota Yaris Hybrid (87 g/km) — €0
• Suzuki Swift Hybrid (88 g/km) — €0
• Toyota Corolla Hybrid (101 g/km) — €0
• Škoda Octavia 2.0 TDI (120 g/km) — €0
• VW Golf 2.0 TDI (123 g/km) — €0

More about EVs and hybrids: Hybrids in Lithuania | Best hybrid cars ranking | Is It Worth Buying an Electric Car?

How to Reduce the Pollution Tax — 6 Ways

1. Choose a hybrid or electric vehicle

The most obvious approach — pick a car with low CO2. Hybrids almost always fit into the up-to-130 g/km zone (€0 tax), and plug-in hybrids and EVs — always.

2. Choose a smaller engine variant

The same model with a smaller engine can have significantly lower CO2:

• VW Tiguan 1.5 TSI (148 g/km) → €43.26 vs VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI (165 g/km) → €173.04
• Savings: €129.78

3. Check whether the documents list factory CO2

If the registration document has no CO2 figure, it is calculated using the mass and power formula — and the resulting number is usually higher than the true factory figure. For a heavy car this can mean a rate several brackets higher.

4. Check CO2 before buying

Before purchasing a car (especially from abroad), verify the CO2 emissions:

• On the registration certificate (field V.7)
• Using a VIN decoder — try our VIN decoder tool
• In the manufacturer's specifications

5. Avoid large diesel SUVs

The diesel column is twice as expensive as petrol, and large SUVs often exceed 200 g/km CO2:

• 200 g/km diesel → €302.82 (the same CO2 on petrol — €151.41)
• 230 g/km diesel → €432.60
• over 300 g/km diesel → €778.68 (the highest possible tax)

6. Factory-fitted gas (petrol/gas) — about 10% cheaper

If the registration document lists the fuel type as “petrol/gas”, the tax is taken from the gas column, which is 10% lower than petrol: at 160 g/km, €58.40 instead of €64.89. The difference is small, but running a gas car is cheaper because of the fuel price itself.

More tips on economical cars: Most Fuel-Efficient Cars 2025 | Diesel vs Petrol 2025 | Pollution Tax — Glossary

Pollution Tax and the Registration Process

Step by step: how to pay the pollution tax

1. Register your vehicle at Regitra — online or in person
2. The system automatically calculates the tax — based on CO2, fuel type, and Euro standard
3. Pay the tax — via online banking or at the Regitra office
4. Receive your registration documents — only after the tax is paid

Where to find your CO2 emissions

If you're buying a car from Germany or another EU country, the CO2 emissions are listed in the foreign registration documents. Check before you buy so you know the exact tax amount.

Pollution Tax for Popular Models

The most popular models in Lithuania typically fall within the €0–175 tax range, and a good share of efficient versions land in the €0 band. Large diesel SUVs (X5, Q7, ML) — €300–780.

Lithuania's Pollution Tax in the European Context

Lithuania is far from alone — many EU countries apply similar taxes:

Lithuania's pollution tax is one of the lowest in the EU. In the Netherlands or Denmark, a large SUV can be taxed in the tens of thousands of euros.

More about diesel restrictions in Europe: Diesel Bans in Europe 2025

Common Mistakes with the Pollution Tax

1. Not checking CO2 emissions before purchase — especially when importing from abroad
2. Assuming there is no tax when buying in Lithuania — it is also paid on a change of keeper, not only when bringing a car in
3. Buying old diesel SUVs — diesel from 200 g/km costs from €302.82 to €778.68
4. Believing in a Euro standard multiplier — there isn't one: the tax is determined only by CO2 and fuel type
5. Overlooking PHEVs — plug-in hybrids almost always have a €0 tax, but many buyers don't know this

Also read: How to Inspect a Used Car | VIN Check Guide

The Future of the Pollution Tax — What to Expect

The European Union's plans include increasingly strict CO2 standards:

• Every January: the rate structure does not change, but the amounts are recalculated using a new indexation coefficient (2025 — 1.394, 2026 — 1.442)
• 2030: manufacturers' new-car fleet average CO2 must fall 55% from the 2021 level
• 2035: the EU plans to ban the sale of new petrol/diesel vehicles

Practical advice: if you're buying a car for the long term (5+ years), choose a hybrid or electric vehicle. The diesel column is twice as expensive, rates are indexed every year, and city restrictions are tightening. More about Euro 7 standards.

Pollution Tax and KASKO — The Total Cost of Car Ownership

When buying a car, it's important to consider not just the pollution tax but all other costs as well. Here's how the pollution tax fits into the bigger picture:

The pollution tax is a one-time fee, but KASKO insurance and fuel are annual costs. When choosing a car, consider the total cost of ownership, not just the purchase price. Use our running cost calculator.

Pollution Tax by Popular Search Scenarios

"I want a car under €10,000 with a low tax"

Best options: Toyota Yaris Hybrid (€0), Suzuki Swift Hybrid (€0), Toyota Corolla Hybrid (€0). More options — best car under €10,000. You can also search on Autoplius — see Autoplius listing prices and how to use the platform effectively.

"I want a family car with a reasonable tax"

We recommend: Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (€0), Hyundai Tucson Hybrid (€21.63), Škoda Octavia 2.0 TDI (€0). More — best family car.

"I'm importing from Germany — how much will I pay?"

Check the CO2 from the registration certificate (field V.7) before buying. Most commonly imported models: VW Golf 2.0 TDI (€0), BMW 320d (€43.26), Audi A4 2.0 TDI (€0). Full guide — buying a car from Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions