Austria Inflation Rate Rises to 2.2% in February

The annual inflation rate in Austria rose to 2.2% in February 2026 from a thirteen-month low of 2% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. “Services were once again the main driver of inflation, with prices rising by 4.0%, after 3.8% in January. Energy prices fell by 4.1%, a significantly smaller decline than in January, when they fell by 4.9%. Fuel prices in particular had less of a dampening effect on inflation. Prices for food, tobacco and alcohol rose by 3.0% in February, which was stronger than in January, when the increase was 2.7%. Cigarettes in particular became noticeably more expensive in February,” according to Manuela Lenk, Director General Statistics at Statistics Austria. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.8% in February, recovering from a 0.7% fall in the preceding period.

The annual inflation rate in Austria slowed to 2% in January 2026 from 3.8% in December, confirming preliminary estimates. It marked the lowest reading since December 2024, largely driven by falling electricity prices, which cut the headline rate by one percentage point amid base effects and reduced electricity taxes introduced in January. Prices for electricity, gas and other fuels fell by 3.9% year on year, including an 8.2% decline in electricity, a 9.4% drop in liquid fuels and a 1.1% decrease in gas prices. In contrast, price increases were recorded in food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.6%), transport (0.2%), restaurants and accommodation services (4.9%), and personal care, social protection, and miscellaneous goods and services (4.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.7% in January, the first decline in four months and the steepest monthly drop since January 2019. Meanwhile, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) also slowed to 2% from 3.8% in December 2025.

The annual inflation rate in Austria eased to 2% in January 2026 from 3.8% in the previous month. This marked the lowest reading since December 2024, mainly driven by a 4.9% drop in energy prices after the base effects of the electricity price cap faded, energy taxes were cut, and renewable energy subsidies were reduced. Prices for industrial goods also rose only marginally by 0.8%, while inflation for services and for food, tobacco and alcohol slowed to 3.8% and 2.7%, respectively. “This means that, following the high inflation rates of 2025, inflation in Austria will fall back to the levels seen in the second half of 2024. Electricity, gas, heating oil, fuel and industrial goods had a dampening effect”, according to Manuela Lenk, Director General Statistics at Statistics Austria. On a monthly basis, consumer prices fell by 0.7% in January, marking the first decline in four months and the sharpest since January 2019, following a 0.3% gain in the preceding period.