Inflation in Greece decreased in May to 5.2% according to ELSTAT data, down from 5.4% recorded in April. On a monthly basis, consumer prices showed no change. Heating oil prices surged by 53.2%. Specifically, the largest annual increases were recorded in heating oil (+53.2%), other fuels (+34.8%), diesel fuel (+24.4%), automotive fuels – gasoline (+21.5%) and natural gas (+2.1%).
It should be noted that according to preliminary Eurostat data inflation in Greece reached 5% in May.
The average CPI for the twelve months June 2025 – May 2026, compared to the corresponding Index for the twelve months June 2024 – May 2025, showed an increase of 3.1%, compared to an increase of 2.5% recorded in the corresponding comparison of the twelve months June 2024 – May 2025 with the twelve months June 2023 – May 2024.
Inflation: May 2026 vs May 2025 comparison
The 5.2% increase in the General CPI in May 2026, compared to the corresponding Index for May 2025, mainly resulted from changes in the following groups of goods and services:
1. From index increases of:
• 3.5% in the Food and non-alcoholic beverages group, due to price increases mainly in: bread and other bakery products, beef, pork, lamb and goat, poultry, cold cuts, meat-based preparations, fresh fish, dairy products and eggs, margarine and other vegetable fats, fruits (general), vegetables (general), sugar-chocolates-sweets-ice cream, coffee. Part of this increase was offset by price decreases mainly in: breakfast cereals, fresh or frozen fish, olive oil.
• 1.2% in the Health group, due to price increases mainly in: medical products, outpatient care services, hospital care. Part of this increase was offset by price decreases mainly in pharmaceutical products.
• 11.5% in the Transport group, due to price increases mainly in: new cars, spare parts and personal transport equipment, diesel fuel, automotive fuels (gasoline), other fuels, maintenance and repair of personal transport equipment, other services related to personal transport, passenger air transport tickets. Part of this increase was offset by price decreases mainly in used cars.
companionship, recreational services, holiday packages.
• 2.8% in the Education group, due to price increases mainly in: pre-school and primary education fees, secondary education fees.
• 8.5% in the Hotels – Cafes – Restaurants group, due to price increases mainly in: restaurants-pastry shops-fast food-canteens, hotels-motels-inns.
• 0.9% in the Personal care – Social protection – Other goods and services group, due to price increases mainly in: hairdressers and personal care shops, jewelry and watches, other services. Part of this increase was offset by price decreases mainly in: other personal hygiene and care devices and products, other personal items.
2. From index decreases of:
• 0.1% in the Alcoholic beverages and tobacco group, due to price decreases mainly in alcoholic beverages (non-served).
• 0.9% in the Clothing and footwear group, due to price decreases in clothing and footwear items.
• 0.1% in the Durable goods – Household items and services group, due to price decreases mainly in: household appliances and repairs, household consumer goods. Part of this decrease was offset by price increases mainly in household services.
• 2.7% in the Information and communication group, due to price decreases mainly in: information and communication equipment, mobile phone services, telephone service packages.
