The inflation rate in Germany reached a new annual peak in September 2026, with the consumer price index rising by 3.3% compared with the same month of the previous year, according to confirmed figures from the Federal Statistical Office. This upward movement follows inflation rates of 2.9% in August 2026 and 2.8% in July 2026. The September figure marks the highest reading recorded since December 2023. On a monthly basis, overall consumer prices advanced by 0.6% compared to August 2026. The Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices also showed a 3.3% increase from the corresponding month a year earlier and a 0.6% rise relative to the previous month.
Rising energy prices served as the primary driver for the accelerated inflation rate. Energy product prices overall stood 14.9% higher in September 2026 than in September 2025, marking the third consecutive month of accelerating energy price growth following increases of 10.5% in August, 8.3% in July, and 3.4% in June. This represents the steepest energy price increase recorded since February 2023. Ongoing crude oil market price pressures, observed since the beginning of the conflict involving Iran, directly impacted producer and consumer prices. Motor fuel prices jumped by 37.1% compared with September 2025, while light heating oil registered a surge of 74.9%. Solid fuels such as firewood and wood pellets also grew more expensive, showing a 15.6% increase over the twelve-month period.
Conversely, several household energy components remained below their year-earlier price levels in September 2026. Electricity prices dropped by 5.5%, natural gas excluding operating costs fell by 2.8%, and district heating declined by 1.0%. These downward trends in electricity, natural gas, and district heating reflect measures implemented by the federal government at the start of the year. Relief measures involving renewed reductions in energy taxes on fuels took effect only on October 1, 2026, and thus exerted no influence on the September statistics.
Food price increases remained subdued relative to the broader index, rising by 0.4% over the year to September 2026, compared with a 0.1% increase in August. Despite this moderate overall pace, certain food items experienced sharp price gains, led by eggs at 15.2%, fresh vegetables at 12.0%, and fish, fish products, and seafood at 4.5%. In contrast, notable price declines over the same period affected fats and oils, which dropped 15.0%—driven by a 29.5% reduction in butter prices—alongside fresh fruit down 4.9% and dairy products down 5.5%.
Measures excluding specific volatile components highlighted differing inflationary pressures. The inflation rate excluding energy stood at 2.1%, while excluding heating oil and motor fuels it registered 1.8%. The core inflation rate, which excludes both food and energy, remained stable at 2.4% in September 2026, matching the readings recorded in August and July and continuing to trend below the headline inflation rate.
Goods prices overall climbed 3.8% above the level of September 2025. Nondurable consumer goods increased by 5.4%, heavily influenced by the 14.9% surge in energy prices, whereas durable goods prices rose by 1.0%. Significant yearly price increases among goods included information processing equipment at 9.2% and tobacco products at 5.6%. Conversely, coffee, tea, and cocoa dropped by 3.3%, and household appliances fell by 2.5%.
Services inflation exhibited a slight moderation, with prices rising by 2.7% over the twelve-month period, remaining below the headline rate. Significant increases within the services sector included social welfare services up 6.3%, vehicle maintenance and repair up 4.7%, and hair dressing and other personal care services up 4.3%. Package holidays increased by 3.8%, water supply and housing-related services rose by 3.7%, and actual net cold rents advanced by 1.9% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, telecommunication services registered a minimal rise of 0.2%.
Compared directly with August 2026, the overall consumer price index rose by 0.6% in September. Energy prices surged 3.8% over the course of the month, led by an 18.5% increase in light heating oil and a 6.9% rise in motor fuels, which included a 7.5% increase for diesel and 6.7% for super-grade petrol. Seasonal factors contributed to a 5.6% monthly increase in clothing items. Food prices increased by 0.4% from the prior month, driven by a 3.5% rise in vegetables, while meat and meat products fell by 0.5%. Significant monthly price drops were recorded for international flights, which fell by 7.3%, and outbound package holidays, which decreased by 4.2%.
