Romania lost over 500 million euros in tax revenues in 2025 due to tobacco smuggling, which reached 12.6% of consumption

In November 2025, cigarette smuggling reached a record level of 12.6% of total consumption, representing an alarming increase of 3 percentage points compared to the previous year. This black market has led to tax losses of over 500 million euros for Romania. The most affected regions include the west of the country, with a share of 20.8%, and Bucharest, with 14.6%.

Bulgaria remains the main source of smuggled cigarettes, although the share of products from the Republic of Moldova has increased. Authorities confiscated approximately 210 million cigarettes in 2025, but the consumption of illicit cigarettes continues to rise, with an average consumption of 19.7 sticks per day per consumer. Experts warn that any increase in excise duties could worsen the smuggling problem, highlighting the need for balanced and predictable fiscal policies to combat illegal trade and protect budget revenues.