According to the National Federconsumatori Observatory, widespread increases will affect food, transport and insurance. Only electricity and gas bills are decreasing, but the relief is not enough to compensate for the new blow
Not reassuring forecasts for family budgets for the new year. According to estimates by the National Federconsumatori Observatory, there will be in 2026 700 euros more in annual expenses for each family unitto be precise 672.60 euros. With purchasing power already put to the test in recent years, the new wave of increases risks having a profound impact on families’ spending choices.
A more expensive 2026: the sting of 672 euros per family
The forecasts are clear: 2026 will be characterized by widespread increases in many key sectors of family spending, despite the expected decline in energy bills. The increases that weigh most heavily are those that add up to each other, affecting both essential consumption and obligatory expenditure. Beyond the increases there is the question of purchasing power which, in the last five years, according to the Observatory’s analyses, has been eroded by over 5,500 euros due to inflation and price increases.
Where prices will increase in 2026: food, insurance and transportation
The heaviest chapter is that ofdiet. According to estimates, the shopping cart will cost 386 euros more per yearequal to an increase in 4.8%. An increase that directly affects the daily life of families and which, as also underlined by consumer associations, is accentuated by peaks linked to holidays and greater seasonal consumption. In December, the prices of food and drinks marked a new increase, with an increase that could reach even higher 240 euros per year for a family with two children.
Things aren’t any better on the data front car insurancewhich begin to rise again after a phase of relative stability. The estimated increase is approx 140 euros per year (+8.8%), thanks to the increase in the rate on the driver accident policy linked to car liability insurance and the weight of the claims recorded in 2025. The average premium is around 629 eurosimpacting hundreds of thousands of motorists.
Even i transport affect the family budget, with an increase of approximately 164 euros per year (+2.8%). Added to these are small but widespread increases, such as those in motorway tolls. Furthermore, the increase in logistics costs linked to excise duties on diesel weighs heavily in the background, which risk having a cascade effect on the final prices of goods and services.
In 2026 relief on bills, but increases on schools, household products, catering and more
2026 will also see increases in many “small” items of everyday life. Rates are growingwaterfall (+27 euros), i household products and services (+59 euros), the services of artisans and professionals (+42 euros) and costs related to school and cateringboth up more than 4%. Healthcare, communications and banking costs also recorded upward adjustments, contributing to making the final bill heavier.
An important exception comes from the energy front. The rates of electricity and gas they should decrease by approx 333 euros per year (-12.7%), offering partial relief to families and partially balancing the increases on other items. A drop which, however, is not enough to compensate for all the expected increases.
