The annual inflation rate in the Czech Republic rose to 1.9% in March 2026 from 1.4% in February, confirming preliminary estimates and marking a three-month high. The main upward pressure came from higher transport costs (5.5% vs 3.3% in February), where fuel and lubricants for personal transport equipment swung sharply from an 8.4% decline in February to a 13.1% increase in March, making it the largest contributor to annual inflation. Inflation also picked up for housing and utilities (1.0% vs 0.8%), furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (1.7% vs 1.1%), information and communication (2.9% vs 2.4%), and recreation, sports and culture (2.5% vs 1.7%). On the other hand, prices declined for food and non-alcoholic beverages (-1.1% vs 0.4%) and clothing and footwear (-2.6% vs -2.3%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased by 0.6% in March, reversing a 0.1% fall in February, driven mainly by higher transport and fuel costs.