Austria Inflation Rate Confirmed at 2.2%

The annual inflation rate in Austria rose to 2.2% in February 2026 from a thirteen-month low of 2% in the previous month, confirming preliminary estimates. Services remained the main inflation driver, led by restaurants and accommodation, which rose 5.1%. Tobacco prices also jumped 8.8%, while food inflation came in at 2.4%, slightly above the headline rate, due to sharp annual price gains for coffee. Additionally, transport prices rose 0.8% despite a 5.1% decline in fuel costs. However, household energy and fuel had a less dampening effect on inflation, with a 7.6% drop in electricity, a 7.2% decline in liquid fuels, and a 1% fall in gas. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.8% in February, the sharpest rise since January 2025 and rebounding from a 0.7% loss in the preceding month. Meanwhile, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) went up by 2.3% annually and 0.8% monthly.

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.