The price of the student lunch costs 3.20 euros beginning from the 1st of October 2022. The price increase is due to inflation-created pressure to raise prices and the decision was made by the government. Raising the maximum price of a meal from 5 euros to 5.50 euros is critical to the viability of the restaurants providing student meals. Kela’s meal subsidy currently covers 2.30 euros for the lunch and therefore student will now pay 3,20 euros per meal for the rest of the year. 

Student organisations have argued that Kela’s meal subsidy should be increased in relation to the increase in the maximum price. Now students must cover the entire 50-cent raise of the maximum price. The government has proposed in its next year’s budget that Kela’s meal subsidy will be increased by 25 cents starting in January. If the meal subsidy is increased by 25 cents, the price of a student lunch would be 2.95 euros beginning from January 2022. The budget for the next year will be confirmed at the end of the year.