Inflation in the euro zone reached 8.1% in May over one year.
A level not seen for 25 years.
But if it hits all European countries together, the price increase fluctuates according to the economy.
France stands out with moderate inflation (5.8%) compared to its German (8.7%) or Spanish (8.5%) neighbors according to Eurostat estimates for the month of May.
The countries of the Old Continent each adopt different responses to protect the purchasing power of their citizens and their businesses.
To discover
Taxes 2022: all about your tax return
Read alsoClothing, furniture, electronics: how inflation contaminates the entire economy
“There are two types of anti-inflation measures in all countries. Household allowances, often targeted at the most modest such as the inflation allowance in France, and measures on energy prices that affect all consumers. However, there has been no coordination between European countries in their policy to fight inflation, even though the differences in price increases create a risk of divergence of economies
,” observes economist Christian Saint -Etienne, professor holding the chair of economics at the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.
European tour of these anti-inflation devices.
France, 26 billion while waiting for the rest
From the first surge of inflation last fall, the French government took up the subject.
An inflation check of one hundred euros has been granted to all French people who receive less than 2,000 euros net per month.
A “tariff shield”, guaranteeing a freeze on gas and electricity tariffs, was then put in place at the start of 2022. Energy products remain the most affected by inflation (their price has jumped by +38% over the year, against +6.4% for food, alcohol and tobacco).
A discount of 15 centimes per liter on the price at the pump has also been introduced.
After the June legislative elections, the Borne government intends to present a "purchasing power" law, set up as an absolute priority.
New measures aimed at protecting the budget of the French will appear there, in particular an indexation of pensions and social minima on inflation, increases in the remuneration of civil servants and a food check.
The tariff shield should be extended at least until the end of the year, just like the discount on fuel prices which will be reassessed.
Pending the next package of measures, the previous government has already committed 26 billion euros in expenditure, according to Bruno Le Maire.
Germany targets its households and prices at the pump
Since February, the poorest German households have been receiving subsidies to pay their heating bills.
Berlin has also decided on a tax break at the pump which reduces prices by 30 cents per liter of petrol and 14 cents per liter of diesel.
The package of anti-inflation measures voted by the coalition provides access to all public transport in the country this summer, for a reduced rate of 9 euros per month.
In addition, all taxable employees will receive an exceptional check for 300 euros.
In July, families with children will also receive an additional 100 euros in the form of family allowance, and the unemployed an exceptional allowance of up to 200 euros.
The fuel tax will also be lowered between June and August to the European minimum, i.e. a reduction of 14 to 30 cents per litre.
Finally, the tax threshold, or basic allowance, has been increased, as has the mileage allowance.
In all, nearly 30 billion euros of anti-inflation aid were voted in the Bundestag.
Italy is overtaxing its energy companies
As in Germany, the Italian government is playing on taxation to reduce prices at the pump corresponding to a reduction of around 30 centimes per liter of fuel.
A device that will be financed by the introduction of a tax initially set at 10% on the record profits of energy suppliers.
This tax was increased to 25% in early May, as part of a new envelope of 14 billion euros including a bonus of 200 euros for 28 million Italians with incomes below 35,000 euros annually.
The reduction in fuel taxes has also been extended.
In total, the Italian government has released 30 billion euros to stem inflation since the start of the year.
In the United Kingdom, late reversal of the government
Soaring prices are disrupting the daily lives of millions of Britons, forced to restrict their consumption of food and energy.
Long reluctant to release massive aid and increase taxes on energy companies, London resolved on Thursday to announce the release of 15 billion pounds of aid to the most disadvantaged households.
The device will be financed by the introduction of a tax on the profits of the oil giants.
Described as
“temporary”
, this tax has been set at 25% and should alone generate five billion pounds.
In total, the British government says that 37 billion pounds (43.6 billion euros) have been released this year.
Spain, 16 billion to extinguish social unrest
Faced with an unprecedented social crisis caused by rising prices, Madrid announced at the end of March a plan of 16 billion euros in direct aid for households and reduced-rate loans to businesses.
Entering into force on April 1 and scheduled to run until June 30, this plan includes a subsidy of 20 euro cents per liter of fuel, financed up to 15 euro cents by the State and 5 cents by the companies. oil companies.
It also includes a 2% limit on rent increases and a 15% increase in the amount of the minimum subsistence income.
Spain and neighboring Portugal have also obtained an exemption from Brussels with a view to lowering the price of electricity in the Iberian Peninsula by dissociating it from that of gas.
Elsewhere in Europe, lower fuel taxes and price caps
Sweden, the European country where diesel is the most heavily taxed, presented a plan in mid-March worth nearly 1.3 billion euros.
It consisted in particular of a reduction in tax of 1.30 crowns per liter (about 12 centimes), until October 31.
Belgium and the Netherlands have chosen to lower VAT on energy (natural gas, electricity and urban heating) and reduce excise duties on fuels.
Poorer Belgian households have also seen the benefit of the 'social tariff' on electricity and natural gas extended.
Read alsoWar, crises and inflation plague the Davos Forum
In Poland, an "anti-inflation shield" has been extended, and aid paid to some five million families.
In Hungary, the government announced a business tax this week.
On fuel, Budapest has however decided that only cars registered in the country could now benefit from the measure fixing the liter at around 1.2 euros.
Staple food prices have been capped since February.