On October 31, cafes, restaurants, and accommodation facilities across Estonia will pause operations for a brief protest against tax increases. The action, titled “Jätku leiba!” will take place from

12:30 p.m. to 12:40 p.m., during which time customers will not be served.

Organized by the Estonian Hotel and Restaurant Association, the protest highlights Estonia’s high VAT rate, one of the steepest in Europe, which is set to rise even further. The association warns that dining out is increasingly becoming a luxury, a trend they say threatens the hospitality and tourism sectors.

“Jätku leiba!” aims to draw attention to the importance of maintaining a dignified standard of living. "The goal is to ensure our people always have enough, symbolized by ‘bread on the table’ without undue worry," the association stated. They emphasize that everyday experiences, like dining out or enjoying local vacations, should not become inaccessible luxuries.

Starting in 2025, Estonia’s VAT rate will increase to 22 percent on nearly all transactions, positioning it just below the 25 percent rates of Norway and Denmark.

Information on participating businesses and the Facebook event can be found online. The phrase “Jätku leiba,” which translates roughly to “Let the bread continue,” is a traditional expression akin to “enjoy your meal.”

Eateries in Latvia and Lithuania are also planning similar protests on Thursday, as reported by Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT. Photo by I, Pöllö, Wikimedia commons.