Consumer prices in Europe’s most successful economy rose by an average of 1.7 percent in 2017, preliminary data shows.
It marked the biggest increase since 2012, when inflation hit 2.1 percent, according to Germany‘s Federal Statistics Office.
High food costs made the largest contribution to the headline price increases, followed by increased rents, analysts said.
The figures will spark debate about whether or not the ECB should stop injecting money into the Eurozone.
Hawkish rate-setters have called for the ECB to unwind its £2.22trillion (€2.55tn) bond-buying scheme to reverse deflation.
They have pointed to increased growth and inflation forecasts for the single currency as reasons to change course.
The ECB’s governing council is due to hold a monetary policy meeting on January 25.
Both consumption and imports have provided impulses for the German economy this year, despite the country’s political uncertainty.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has failed to form a coalition after failing to win a clear majority in a general election in September.
Some economists argue that the ECB’s low interest rate environment risks causing the German economy to overheat.
However, the Frankfurt-based ECB says its policy is tailored for all 19 member states that use the euro.
The German government has lifted its growth forecasts, projected the economy to grow by 2 percent this year and 1.9 percent in 2018.
The Bundesbank expects growth of 2.5 percent next year.