Inflation in Spain holds at 3.2% in June despite higher electricity prices

Published on 15/07/2026 - 14:32 GMT+2•Updated

15:54

Inflation in Spain stays in check in June, but remains at elevated levels. Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) confirmed on Wednesday that the consumer price index (CPI) stood at 3.2% year on year, well above the European Central Bank's 2% target, despite the increase in VAT.

The rise in electricity and gas prices offset cheaper motor fuels, linked to a ceasefire in the Middle East that has already collapsed. Core inflation, which excludes energy and unprocessed food because of their volatility, came in at 2.9%, a tenth of a point lower than the previous month, in line with the flash estimate published by the INE.

Electricity prices up 6% in June after reduced VAT scrapped

Electricity played a prominent role in inflation, rising 6% year on year in a June that was the second warmest on record, marked by greater use of air conditioning and fans in households.

In April and May, electricity recorded annual falls of 5.5% and 4.3% respectively, which made it possible to maintain the VAT cut introduced by the government to cushion the economic impact of the war. The withdrawal of that measure is thought to have contributed to the rebound in electricity prices in June, although the Economy Ministry highlights the stability of overall inflation.

The Minister of Finance, Arcadi España, said in a post on the social network X that: "June's CPI data confirm the effectiveness of the measures taken by the Spanish government. In an international context marked by uncertainty, inflation remains stable and food prices have slowed their growth to 1.9%. These figures reflect the impact of support policies for families and businesses, together with the push for renewable energy, which is strengthening the resilience of our economy".

The First Vice-President and Economy Minister, Carlos Cuerpo, argues that the figures "confirm that the government's response plan is still meeting its goal: cushioning the impact of the war in Iran on inflation and protecting households' purchasing power".

They also stress that the commitment to renewable energy is "precisely what makes it possible to start phasing out emergency measures from a position of strength". Food and non-alcoholic drinks offered some relief to the CPI, as their rise in June slowed to 1.9%, three-tenths of a point down from the 2.2% recorded in May.

Fuel prices also felt the brief truce between the United States and Iran

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran, brief as it was, eased pressure on fuel prices in June, which rose more slowly even though the conflict has resumed and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has yet to return to normal.

Petrol went up by 1.3% and diesel by 14.1%, according to the INE. The Spanish government kept to the gradual withdrawal of fuel subsidies, although the renewed surge in tension in the Middle East could once again put pressure on oil prices.

Housing and tourism add to inflationary pressure

The housing category increased its rise to 4.7% in June, compared with 1.4% in May, while transport slowed to 5.1%. There was also a sharp rise in restaurant and accommodation prices, with the latter surging by 9.3% year on year.

Madrid recorded the highest provincial inflation in June, at 3.8%, followed by Las Palmas (3.6%). At the other end of the scale, Cáceres and Jaén saw the lowest rates, at 2.2%. By autonomous community, Extremadura posted the smallest increase in prices, at 2.4%.