Dematerialization, use in supermarkets, 25 euro ceiling... The government presents its reform of restaurant vouchers

After the uproar at the end of the year with the possible limitation of the use of restaurant vouchers in supermarkets , Véronique Louwagie, Minister Delegate in charge of Commerce, revealed in the Parisien, this Wednesday, June 25, several developments: total dematerialization in 2027, open use on Sundays and throughout France and above all perpetuation of the possibility of using them to pay for food shopping in supermarkets. "This reform simplifies, secures and modernizes the restaurant voucher, to which all French people are attached," summarizes the minister.

Created in the late 1960s in France, meal vouchers are now used by more than 5 million employees to pay for meals and food shopping at some 244,000 retailers. Criticized by restaurant owners who see it as a loss of revenue, estimated at more than €1 billion over two years by the sector's main organization, Umih, the scheme is very popular with employees. And while the current scheme, which costs €2 billion per year according to the government, has been extended until the end of 2026, the text that the government will present to Parliament will be implemented on January 1, 2027.

"Automatic renewal at the end of the year for the following year will no longer be possible. Restaurant vouchers are not a savings plan," the minister suggests. "This measure aims to encourage consumption and prevent hoarding, i.e., the accumulation of vouchers in one's account."

The most sensitive point was the use of vouchers to pay for all food shopping in supermarkets (except alcohol, confectionery, baby products, and pet food), a temporary measure launched in 2022 and extended every year since. This will therefore be permanent, as will the use of meal vouchers on Sundays. Six out of ten French people prepare their meals at home before taking them to work. So, they had to be thought of. They will also be able to do so in all departments, whereas today, it is more or less tolerated. The daily limit, set at 25 euros, remains unchanged. As for the 48 million euros in unused vouchers, the minister states that "the equivalent amounts will be paid to the employer's CSE."

The completion of dematerialization, planned for 2027, should simplify procedures for merchants and reduce the fees they pay to issuers, while employees will be able to pay to the nearest cent. And, from February 28, 2027, the use of paper vouchers will be a distant memory.