The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) has confirmed that the inflation rate for June 2026 was 2.3 percent. This figure is a moderation from the earlier estimates released at the end of the month. Overall consumer prices saw a further easing of price increases, following rates of +2.6 percent in May 2026 and +2.9 percent in April 2026.
Ruth Brand, President of Destatis, noted that energy prices continued to rise above the average due to the conflict in Iran, remaining a central driver of inflation. However, because the rise in energy product prices was less sharp than in the previous month, the overall inflation rate was dampened. Specifically, prices for fuels and light heating oil decreased compared to May 2026, and there was also a slight reduction in food prices over the previous month, which benefited consumers. When comparing prices to May 2026, consumer prices decreased by 0.3 percent in June 2026.
Looking at year-on-year figures, energy product prices were 3.4 percent higher in June 2026 compared to the same month in 2025, marking another deceleration in energy price increases. (For comparison: +6.6 percent in May 2026; +10.1 percent in April 2026). This slower pace of price increase is attributed, alongside crude oil market trends, to the temporary reduction of the energy tax on fuels, which was implemented on May 1, 2026, and remained in effect until June 30, 2026. Fuels themselves became 11.3 percent more expensive over the year, significantly less than the increases seen in preceding months (May 2026: +18.0 percent; April 2026: +26.2 percent).
Despite a distinct rise in light heating oil-a household energy component-of 29.4 percent year-on-year due to crude oil market fluctuations (May 2026: +47.9 percent), household energy as a whole was 1.6 percent cheaper than in the previous year. This counter-trend was due to light heating oil representing a minor share of household energy consumption. Furthermore, electricity fell by 5.2 percent, natural gas including operating costs decreased by 2.9 percent, and district heating dropped by 0.9 percent. Destatis attributes these price decreases in part to measures implemented by the federal government since the beginning of the year.
Food prices were 0.4 percent higher in June 2026 compared to the previous year. The steepest increases were seen in sugar, jam, honey, and other sweets (+4.8 percent); fish, seafood, and shellfish (+3.3 percent); and meat and meat products (+2.4 percent). Conversely, edible fats and oils became cheaper (-14.7 percent), and dairy products decreased by 6.2 percent. Notable price drops included butter (-29.1 percent) and potatoes (-8.8 percent), while egg prices saw a significant increase of 14.6 percent.
In June 2026, the inflation rate excluding energy was +2.2 percent, and the rate excluding heating oil and fuels was +1.9 percent. The core inflation rate, which excludes both food and energy, stood at +2.5 percent, positioning it above the overall inflation rate.
Regarding goods, prices were 1.7 percent above last year’s level. Consumer goods rose by 2.0 percent, while durable goods increased by 0.9 percent. In addition to energy products (+3.4 percent) and food (+0.4 percent), notable price hikes included information processing equipment (+9.6 percent), tobacco products (+5.8 percent), and coffee and related items (+5.6 percent). Price drops were observed in household appliances (-2.2 percent) and consumer electronics (-4.0 percent).
In the services sector, prices rose by 3.1 percent year-on-year, meaning that inflation in services was again higher than the overall inflation rate. Significant increases were recorded in social institution services (+6.8 percent), vehicle maintenance and repair (+4.8 percent), and hairdressing and personal care services (+4.2 percent). Package holidays (+3.9 percent), water supply and other household services (+3.3 percent), and catering services (+2.9 percent) were also considerably more expensive in June 2026 than a year earlier. Residential net cold rents remained a key factor, increasing by 1.9 percent year-on-year. Communication services, conversely, remained virtually unchanged compared to the previous year (+0.1 percent).
Looking at month-on-month changes, the consumer price index fell by 0.3 percent in June 2026. Energy prices dropped by 3.0 percent in a single month, primarily due to decreases in fuels (-5.8 percent, including diesel fuel at -7.9 percent) and light heating oil (-9.5 percent). Food prices also fell overall by 0.5 percent, benefiting consumers through lower prices for fresh fruit (-4.0 percent) and fresh vegetables (-2.7 percent). Clothing items were cheaper by 1.7 percent, although package holidays saw a notable increase of 6.1 percent, according to Destatis.
