Slovakia’s Inflation Climbs in April as Fuel and Housing Costs Continue to Rise

Consumer price growth in Slovakia accelerated again in April 2026, driven primarily by higher transport and housing-related costs, while slower food inflation helped ease some of the upward pressure on household spending.

Annual inflation reached 3.9% in April, marking the second highest level recorded this year. On a monthly basis, prices increased by 0.5% compared with March.

Transport costs were the main contributor to the latest increase, reflecting a sharp rise in fuel prices. Motor fuel costs climbed by more than 15% year-on-year, representing the strongest increase since late 2022. On a monthly basis, fuel prices also posted their fastest increase on record, influenced by higher oil prices on international markets.

Housing and energy costs remained another major driver of inflation. Prices in the housing category rose by 6.3% compared with April last year, largely due to higher heating costs and continued increases in housing-related services such as water supply and maintenance. Housing and utilities remain the largest expenditure category for Slovak households.

Food inflation, however, continued to moderate. Annual growth in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices slowed to 1%, the weakest pace since November 2025. Several categories, including meat, dairy products and edible oils, recorded lower prices compared with a year earlier, helping to reduce overall inflationary pressure.

At the same time, some food segments continued to rise in price, including bread and cereals, vegetables, fruit and prepared food products. Non-alcoholic beverages also remained more expensive than a year ago, although the pace of growth eased slightly.

Inflationary pressures were also visible in services, particularly restaurants, accommodation, recreation and personal care services. Tobacco prices increased further during the month, while alcoholic beverages became slightly cheaper.

The Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic noted that inflation data for 2026 is being calculated under an updated consumer basket methodology and revised expenditure weights reflecting household consumption patterns from 2024. The revised structure slightly reduced the weighting of housing and food within overall household spending compared with previous years.

For the first four months of 2026, average consumer price growth in Slovakia reached 3.8% year-on-year.