Meanwhile the ECB's survey of 19,000 euro area consumers showed a similar uptick in expectations last month. Median expectations for inflation over the next 12 months increased for the third month in a row, to 2.8% from 2.6%. However, three years out, expectations were unchanged at 2.4%.

European Central Bank policymakers backed further policy easing on Friday just a day after the bank's fourth straight rate cut, despite fresh surveys pointing to continued inflation momentum. The ECB cut interest rates to 2.

French inflation was stable at the beginning of the year, figures showed Friday, a day after the European Central Bank again lowered its key interest rates amid a eurozone economy going nowhere fast.