The (INE) confirmed on Wednesday that the annual inflation rate reached 4.9% in September 2026, the highest level recorded since 2023. This surge was driven by a 31% rise in gasoline prices and an 11.4% increase in electricity costs.
The 31% spike in fuel costs exceeded the 15% threshold set in the war protection measures decree. Consequently, the government will maintain fuel discounts at 20 cents in November 2026, rather than reducing the bonus to 13 cents as originally planned for lower rises.
While gas prices rose by 5.4% and food by 2.7%, electricity taxation will not be lowered as its 11.4% increase remained below the 15% safeguard limit. Notably, the cumulative balance of food prices since the start of the war in remains in negative territory.