Irish consumers pay the second highest excise duty on alcohol in Europe, according to new research.
The research from Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley, commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), shows that Ireland comes only behind Finland when it comes to excise levies on alcohol.
When broken down by type of alcoholic drink, excise on wine in Ireland is the second highest in the EU and UK, also behind Finland, while excise on beer and spirits is the third highest, behind Finland and Sweden.
A pint of beer purchased in a pub here attracts an excise duty of €0.55 compared to just €0.05 in Spain and Germany.
Similarly, a 70cl bottle of whiskey is levied with €11.92 excise in Ireland, compared to €2.69 of excise duty in Spain and €3.65 in Germany.
Wine
A total of 14 European countries do not charge any excise on wine, including Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany and Greece, while France charges just €0.01 on a standard glass of wine.
Here, excise duties make up €3.19 of the €11 cost of a standard bottle of wine purchased in an off-licence.
“The main aim of this report is to objectively assess what the rate of excise in Ireland is compared to other countries across Europe. The results show without doubt that Ireland has a very high level of alcohol excise tax in 2026 when compared with the large majority of other countries,” Prof Foley said.
DIGI is calling for a 10% reduction in excise in the upcoming Budget to improve the viability of pubs.
“Irish pubs are celebrated around the world and are often the only community hub in isolated communities, yet the Government seems to be content to tax them out of existence,” Secretary of DIGI Donall O’Keeffe said.
Excise duties on alcohol did not change in last year’s budget, despite a similar call for a 10% reduction from the drinks industry then, and a call for an increase of 15% by Alcohol Action Ireland.
