Overview
- From January 1, the VAT on food served in restaurants fell from 19% to 7% nationwide, with beverages excluded.
- Industry groups call the change a fairness measure that offers breathing room after steep increases in labor, energy and food costs.
- Many independent operators say margins remain tight and they will prioritize stability and investments over cutting menu prices.
- Large chains moved fastest on pricing, with McDonald's trimming some set-menu prices even as most items stayed unchanged.
- State and sector data underscore the strain and uneven gains, with Thuringia estimating about €72 million in annual relief, Baden-Württemberg reporting a 2.4% real revenue drop Jan–Oct 2025 and over 3,000 closures since 2019, and critics warning the policy is costly and favors high-volume outlets as the minimum wage rises to €13.90 in 2026.