Cullen International’s benchmark on indexation of retail prices looks at the rules allowing operators in 15 European countries to increase prices based on indexation clauses included in their contracts. 

In practice, operators in most of the countries studied apply automatic price increases every year in line with the consumer price index (CPI).

Our most recent research shows that price indexation clauses expressed in percentages are banned in the UK since January 2025. Operators must now clearly indicate in their contracts, in pounds and pence (not as a percentage), any price increase that will apply during the contract period. 

In Italy, a regional administrative court issued a judgement in December 2024 annulling some of the rules decided by the regulator on indexation clauses. For example, consumers can no longer ask to switch to another plan, free of charge, when price increases exceed 5%.

Telecoms regulators in six of the countries studied recently adopted measures or released statements regarding indexation clauses.

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