Use on Sundays, only by card... New restaurant vouchers for 2027

"Secure, simplify, and modernize." These are the three watchwords of Trade Minister Véronique Louwagie, on RMC this Thursday, as she announces her reform of the restaurant voucher system. Starting in 2027, it will be card-only, usable even on Sundays, and for grocery shopping at the supermarket, and still with a maximum of €25.

This reform comes after numerous demands from both restaurateurs and consumers. The first change concerns the days on which restaurant vouchers can be used: this will be throughout the week, including Sundays.

Another change in this reform is the end of paper restaurant vouchers: the minister wants payments to be made only by card or electronically (smartphone, etc.) by 2027.

"This allows it to be used to the nearest euro, and it avoids 320 million paper vouchers that continue to exist," she emphasized on RMC this Thursday, June 26.

Véronique Louwagie, however, rejected a request from restaurateurs who are still quite unhappy with the system . They were demanding a different payment ceiling for supermarkets and restaurants.

"I cannot be happy about this earthquake," commented Franck Chaumes, president of UMIH Restauration, in Apolline Matin, invited to respond live with the Minister of Trade.

"This continuation represents a significant drop in our business, representing 900 million euros for restaurateurs," he said, regretting in particular the difference in VAT at 5.5% in supermarkets compared to 10% in restaurants.

Véronique Louwagie believes that these figures also result from the consequences of inflation and retorts that the opening of restaurant vouchers on Sundays will benefit restaurateurs.

"I will also intervene regarding commissions, which weigh heavily on restaurateurs. I will prohibit end-of-year discounts paid by issuers to major accounts, which are ultimately passed on to restaurateurs' commissions," assures Véronique Louwagie.

"I want and demand that commission levels be reduced, as they have increased, which is a burden on restaurateurs. I have given all stakeholders three months to commit to this transparency," she explains.

Not enough to convince Franck Chamès, who considers that commissions are an "epiphenomenon."

The maximum daily amount remains unchanged, meaning it will remain €25 regardless of the location. This decision has outraged restaurant unions, who plan to lobby MPs when the reform text is examined in the National Assembly.