Is my child entitled to the school meal subsidy?
They are — but not automatically, and that is where it usually goes wrong. The meal subsidy is paid for every day on which a child attended and took the meal: €1.40 at nursery school, €2.10 at the lower stage of primary school and €2.30 at the upper stage. It covers all children in the final year of nursery and throughout primary school, as well as children in the corresponding years of eight-year and five-year secondary programmes. The crucial condition: a parent must apply in writing to the school's founding authority for the subsidy application to be submitted for their child. Without that request you will not receive it, even though you are entitled.
📋 The rules
- Nursery school: €1.40 a day
- Primary school, lower stage: €2.10 a day
- Primary school, upper stage: €2.30 a day
- Paid only for days the child took the meal
- A parent must apply in writing to the founder
🔓 Exceptions
- No subsidy is paid for days on which the child did not attend
- Children in eight-year and five-year secondary programmes qualify too
- The founder submits the application, but only on the parent's written request
⚠️ Penalties & fines
"Free school meals" are not automatic — and that is the costliest misunderstanding here. A parent must apply in writing to the school's founding authority for the subsidy application to be submitted. If they do not, the child gets nothing, despite being fully entitled — and the family pays the full price of the meals for no reason. The second condition: the subsidy is paid only for days the child attended and actually took the meal. For a meal that was not cancelled and not taken, no subsidy is due — and the canteen will usually bill the parent the full price. So cancel the meals when your child is ill: otherwise you are paying for food nobody ate.
📎 Official sources
- Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family · Meal subsidies →
- Ministry of Labour · Meal habits subsidy →
- Slov-Lex · Subsidies Act (Ministry of Labour) →
❓ Frequently asked
How much is the subsidy?
One euro forty at nursery school, €2.10 at the lower stage of primary school and €2.30 at the upper stage. It is paid for every day on which the child attended and took the meal.
Is the subsidy automatic?
No, and this is the commonest error. A parent must apply in writing to the school's founding authority for the subsidy application to be submitted. Without that, the child gets nothing despite being entitled.
Who qualifies?
All children in the final year of nursery school and throughout primary school, and children in the corresponding years of eight-year and five-year secondary education programmes.
What if my child is ill?
The meal must be cancelled. The subsidy is paid only for days on which the child attended and actually took the meal. An uncancelled meal will usually be billed to you at the full price.
Where do I file the request?
In writing with the school's founding authority — usually the municipality or town, sometimes via the school itself. The founder then submits the subsidy application, but only once you have asked in writing.
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