Austria March Inflation Rises More Than Expected

The annual inflation rate in Austria rose to 3.2% in March 2026, slightly higher than preliminary estimates of 3.1% and up from 2.2% in the previous month. This marked the highest reading since December 2025, driven largely by a sharp 6.4% rise (vs 0.9% in February) in transport costs. Prices also increased for housing and utilities (2.7% vs 1.5%), while inflation remained steady for education services (at 5.2%) and restaurants and accommodations (at 5%). In contrast, inflation softened for alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (2.8% vs 4.8%) and personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods (3.9% vs 4.1%), while it declined for clothing and footwear (-0.5% vs 0.8%) and information and communications (-2.7% vs -3.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices went up by 1.2% in March, exceeding flash estimates of a 1.1% rise and February's 0.8% gain. . Meanwhile, the harmonised index of consumer prices (HICP) rose 3.1% annually and 1.1% monthly.

The annual inflation rate in Austria rose to 3.1% in March 2026 from 2.2% in the previous month, according to preliminary estimates. “This marks a return to the levels seen in the first half of 2025, following a rate of 2.2% in February 2026. The 0.9 percentage point rise is almost entirely attributable to price surges in fuel and heating oil. In February, energy prices had fallen by 4.1% year-on-year, but in March energy prices rose by 6.1%. However, the main driver of inflation remained services, which became 4.5% more expensive in March, following a 4.0% price increase in February,” according to Manuela Lenk, Director General Statistics at Statistics Austria. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 1.1% in March, marking the sharpest rise since September 2022, following a 0.8% gain in the preceding period.

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.