Slovakia
At Edenred, we have been monitoring the development of employee catering for a long time through our TRC index. Data from recent years shows a clear trend – the share of employees who receive meal allowances at the legal minimum level is growing. We offer a solution that will increase the purchasing power of employees and will not cost employers any extra costs.
Currently, approximately 62 percent of employees receive the minimum meal allowance, while in 2022 this was half of the workers. In the following years, their share gradually increased and, despite a slight improvement, the majority of employees remain at the lower limit of the allowance. This development is directly reflected in their real purchasing power in the area of meals.
The price of lunch is rising faster than food costs
According to our data, the average price of lunch was 8,74 euros at the end of 2025. It varies in individual regions - from approximately seven euros in the Trenčín Region to almost 9,71 euros in the Košice Region.
The legal range for meal allowances is currently set at €6,98 to €9,30, but most employees are at the lower end. In practice, this means that meal allowances often do not cover the full cost of lunch and employees regularly pay extra for their meals. The gap between what they receive and what they actually pay is gradually widening.
Higher food allowance is more of an exception
The distribution of meal allowance amounts shows that higher allowances are becoming less widespread. Approximately one fifth of employees receive meal allowances in the range of eight to nine euros, and only a smaller proportion receive allowances above nine euros. Less than ten percent of employees receive the maximum statutory amount of meal allowance.
Food as a tool that has greater potential
We see meal benefits as more than just a legal obligation. It is a tool that has a real impact on the daily lives of employees and the functioning of companies. When provided through meal cards or vouchers, it remains purposefully tied to meals, thereby supporting not only employees, but also restaurants and the food sector.
It is also a benefit that is tax-advantaged when the legal conditions are met and represents a recognized expense for employers. Despite this, its potential often remains unused in practice.
Pressure on budgets is changing business behavior
The current state of the economy and legislation is putting increased pressure on company budgets, which naturally translates into the benefits area. We understand that employers are looking for ways to optimize costs, while employees are facing rising prices.
"Diet and its quality have a significant impact on the performance, but also the health and overall condition of employees. Therefore, it makes sense to look for ways to increase the purchasing power of employees while not increasing the financial burden on employers," says Lívia Bachratá, Director of Public Affairs at Edenred.
The mechanism is unable to respond to reality
The minimum food allowance in Slovakia is adjusted according to a legally established mechanism, which is based on the increase in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages. If the cumulative increase reaches a certain limit, the rates are adjusted. However, this system reacts with a certain delay, which means that prices in the food allowance can grow faster than the food allowance itself. This discrepancy is one of the reasons why the difference between the allowance and real costs is gradually increasing.
Space for more efficient benefit setup
Our current data shows that there is a long-term difference between the amount of meal allowance and the price of lunch. We therefore see room for a more effective setting of benefits that can better reflect the real situation. Meal allowance can be a functional tool that supports the availability of quality meals, increases employee satisfaction, and at the same time remains financially efficient for employers.
It is in this context that we believe it is important to see it as part of a broader employee care strategy, not just as a formal obligation.
