Starting January 30, 2026, new international meal allowance rates will apply to international truck drivers. For example, in the Czech Republic they will receive 1,200 korunas, in Poland 52 euros, and in Austria and Germany up to 63 euros. The changes reflect the actual costs of food and living expenses while on the road. The goal is to facilitate expense planning in international road transport. See the comparison.

Why are meal allowances changing?

Until now, meal allowances for drivers in freight transport abroad were governed by standard rates under Regulation No. 401/2012 Coll., which applied without specific consideration of the drivers’ work performance. However, the actual costs of daily meals on international trips often significantly exceeded these fixed rates—especially during highway breaks or in countries with a higher cost of living.

The new Measure No. 9/2026 Z. z. therefore supplements the original legislation with special basic meal allowance rates for mobile workers in road transport. These are differentiated by country of stay and are often higher than the original amounts (by 15 to 18 euros) to better reflect drivers’ actual expenses when operating vehicles abroad. Since the state could not proceed with a blanket increase in rates due to the consolidation of public finances, it decided to at least provide relief to the group facing the heaviest financial burden.

What has been the biggest loss for international truck drivers so far?

Drivers in this sector have long suffered, particularly due to the discrepancy between actual expenses and the amount of the meal allowance. The biggest problem was daily expenses, which an ordinary employee on a business trip abroad often doesn’t even have to worry about. International truck drivers, however, are forced to live “on the road.” They sleep in their truck cabs and use paid services at rest stops. For example:

• a shower at a highway rest stop in Western Europe typically costs 3 to 5 euros,
• using the restroom costs 1 to 2 euros,
• washing or drying clothes can cost as much as 6 – 10 euros per cycle,
• parking at secure parking lots can cost 15 – 30 euros per night.

Added to this is a key factor—limited dining options. International freight transport is bound by specific routes, driving times, and mandatory breaks in accordance with EU legislation. Drivers therefore cannot choose cheaper restaurants off the route but are limited to gas stations and highway rest stops. Prices there are significantly higher. A typical daily meal at such establishments ranges from:

• 10 – 15 euros in Central European countries,
• 15 – 25 euros in Germany, France, or Belgium,
• with drinks often exceeding 3–4 euros each.

On multi-day routes, the actual costs of food and basic hygiene thus significantly exceeded the original meal allowance rates, which meant that drivers often had to pay the difference out of their own pockets. Experts have long drawn attention to these specific issues. The new measure by the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic therefore reflects the reality that international transport has entirely different cost conditions than regular business trips, and thus mobile workers require a special reimbursement scheme.

Table of new basic meal allowance rates

Would you like to learn more about several countries? Here you go. All meal allowance rates under both the old and new systems.

Who is eligible for the new meal allowance?

An important aspect of the amendment is that the increased international meal allowance applies only to mobile employees in road transport — that is, drivers and members of the traveling crew who perform work activities in the context of international freight transport. Other employees on international business trips will continue to follow the standard rates of the original Regulation No. 401/2012 Coll. For carriers, this means that starting in January 2026, they must apply the new rates for each calendar day when billing for drivers’ international trips.

Practical implications for carriers

For companies engaged in international freight transport, this is a key update to the cost structure:

• Better coverage of actual costs: drivers will no longer have to pay out of pocket for meals and personal hygiene items as they have until now.
• Reduction in administrative disputes: fixed rates will simplify the management of travel reimbursements without the need to document every expense.
• Motivation for drivers: fairer financial compensation can contribute to better motivation and staff retention in the industry.

For carriers, from small trucking subcontractors to large logistics companies, implementing these new rates is essential for planning both operational and personnel costs!

Sources:

Stravné pri zahraničných pracovných cestách pre vodičov od 30. 1. 2026 | Podnikam.sk

Podrobnosti k opatreniu č. 9/2026 Z. z. – Opatrenie MF SR, ktorým sa dopĺňa opatrenie č. 401/2012 Z. z., ktorým sa ustanovujú základné sadzby stravného v eurách alebo v cudzej mene pri zahraničných pracovných cestách | DLportál

Daňové centrum – Vyššie zahraničné stravné pre vodičov: od 30. 1. 2026 platia sadzby podľa nového opatrenia