Meal vouchers: this rule has finally been removed, very good news for all those who use them

A change in the use of meal vouchers, whether in card or paper form, will come into effect. This has been eagerly awaited by those receiving them.

For many, it was heresy. An incomprehensible rule, or almost, that made almost no sense. It will finally be abolished. While nearly 5.5 million employees benefit from them, meal vouchers are about to undergo a minor revolution, making them easier to use for all those who hold them, whether in the bank card version or the paper ticket.

Currently, in most cases, meal vouchers are only valid from Monday to Saturday. In principle, it is not possible to pay with your card or paper vouchers on Sundays or even on public holidays.

A rule that only a few employees can deviate from, if the employer has made a special request to Edenred or any other company that issues meal vouchers. Until now, this rule has attracted disapproval from users since the money deducted from the salary, and topped up by the employer, could not be used as the employer saw fit.

But that's finally about to change! Meal vouchers will soon be available every day of the week, even on Sundays. This means you can use your card or meal vouchers to pay part of your restaurant bill or to do various Sunday shopping. This is good news for anyone who has this financial windfall. However, they still won't be available on public holidays.

As is currently the case on other days of the week, it will be possible to spend up to €25 per day, whether in a restaurant, a store that accepts this payment method, or even in supermarkets. This applies to any product, even those that are not directly consumable. Thus, purchases of pasta, butter, or flour will still be payable with meal vouchers.

Announced by Véronique Louwagie, Minister of Commerce, to Le Parisien , this new rule will apply from January 1, 2027, if Parliament approves. However, the minister announced that starting in 2027, meal vouchers will have to be used for the current year. Otherwise, they will be forfeited by the employee.