20. February 2026
The industry has been breathing a sigh of relief since January 1, 2026. The German government has sent a clear signal and permanently anchored the VAT rate for food at 7%. For us at Walnut Careers, this is more than just a fiscal decision – it is a necessary investment in the viability of German hospitality.
After years of back and forth and temporary emergency solutions, there is now a clear basis for every restaurateur in Germany:
7% on meals: Regardless of whether the guest sits in the Michelin-starred restaurant, takes their meal away or has it delivered – the reduced rate applies to all meals.
19% on drinks: Everything remains the same here. The full tax rate will continue to apply to all drinks.
The aim: to relieve the burden on businesses that have come under massive pressure due to exploding goods and personnel costs.
My opinion as a sparring partner for entrepreneurs is clear: this help was overdue. At a time when guests’ willingness to spend is declining due to general inflation, the tax cut is the buffer that decides between a black zero and insolvency.
Absorbing the cost explosion: The demands on the industry are increasing by the hour – higher energy prices, rising rents and fair wages. According to Statista, around 1.86 million jobs are directly dependent on the hospitality industry. Securing these jobs means supporting social stability in Germany.
Maintaining places for people to meet: We need restaurants as a place to come together. Especially in difficult times, restaurants are the anchor points where we exchange ideas. The extinction of pubs would be a cultural clear-cut.
Regain the ability to invest: With the fixed 7% rate, companies can finally make long-term calculations again. The money is not used for higher returns, but to invest in quality, technology and, above all, the well-being of employees
The permanent tax relief is a milestone, but it is not a license to stand still. In our audits, we see time and again that the most successful companies are not those that simply pocket the profits, but those that use this leeway to radically optimize their processes and structures.
Increase efficiency: If you have your costing under control now, you can work profitably despite 19% on drinks. It’s about turning the margin gained into efficiency instead of letting it seep away in outdated processes.
Talent acquisition & retention: Use the liquidity you have gained to not only find top performers – from chef de partie to restaurant manager – but to retain them in the long term by offering attractive conditions. Quality for guests starts with the quality of the workplace.
Do you know whether your processes would stand up to a stress test? Tax relief is only a lever if the foundations are right. At Walnut Careers, we offer you the opportunity to subject your company to an objective employer check.
Through our Walnut Consulting division, we actively support you in the analysis and optimization of your structures. We don’t just check the figures, but also the actual reality in the kitchen and service.
Our offer for owners: Let us examine together how you can use the new tax framework to make your company invincible as an employer brand. An audit is the first step from “surviving” to “shaping”.