Czech and Slovak workers can boost earnings with side jobs and new pension contributions

A Slovak guide outlines five practical ways to increase personal income without changing jobs. Options include selling or renting unused items such as clothing, electronics, rooms or vehicles; taking flexible side‑jobs or temporary contracts; starting a small home‑based business offering services like childcare, tutoring or pet‑sitting; and earning online through platforms that pay for ad reviews or social‑media tasks. The advice references a video by financial commentator Erik Investor.

In the Czech Republic, a new regulation taking effect on 1 January 2026 obliges employers to contribute to pension or supplementary savings for employees performing risky work, provided the employee applies and supplies the necessary data. The contribution equals four percent of the employee’s assessment base, amounting to roughly 1,600 CZK per month for a salary of 40,000 CZK. The rule applies to workers in physically demanding conditions such as extreme temperatures, vibration or heavy‑muscle effort, and requires at least three qualifying shifts per month.

Both pieces aim to help workers in the two countries improve their financial situation, either through additional income streams or by securing employer‑funded pension benefits.