Published on June 28th, 2022 – French Legal and Administrative Information Department
From July 1st, 2022, the limit for meal vouchers per day will be reduced to €19 and it will no longer be possible to use them during weekends or during holidays. The maximum payment using meal vouchers which was set to 38€ per day, including weekends and public holidays, ended on June 30th, 2022.
Between June 2020 and the end of June 2022, the daily limit for the use of meal vouchers had been increasing from €19 to €38 in restaurants. They could be used both during weekends and holidays. This measure was put in place to support the restaurant sector during the COVID-19 health crisis and was extended several times. It was due to end on February 28, 2022, but had been extended until June 30, 2022.
Daily ceiling of 38€ until June 30th, 2022
Meal vouchers (In France, also called Ticket restaurant, Chèque déjeuner, Pass restaurant…) are a mean of payment that allows employees to pay for their meals if they do not have a cafeteria or company restaurant.
In restaurants only, the payment ceiling for meal vouchers was 38€ per day, (instead of 19€) including weekends and public holidays, until June 30, 2022. The vouchers can also be used for “click and collect” or for food deliveries of dishes sold served in these establishments. The measure applies to:
- Traditional restaurants
- Mobile and stationary fast-food businesses
- Self-service establishments
- Restaurants in hotels
- Breweries with a dining service
However, the maximum of meal vouchers remained at 19€ per day in supermarkets or food shops. In food shops, meal vouchers were not usable on Sundays and public holidays, unless it was clearly indicated on the voucher.
Daily ceiling of 19€ from July 1st, 2022
From July 1st, 2022, the daily limit of meal vouchers was reduced to €19. Their use is now limited to working days including Saturdays, unless the person is obligated to work on Sundays or public holidays.
You can pay for the totality of your meal or only a part of it using your meal vouchers, in the following places:
- Restaurants and related businesses (butchers, caterers, bakeries, food retailers, etc.)
- Fruit and vegetable retailers
The vouchers are valid for immediately consumable food or for food which is used to prepare a meal:
- Prepared meals and salads
- Sandwiches
- Fruit and vegetables, dairy products, etc.
Restaurants and shops are not under any obligation to accept meal vouchers. Each shop decide which products can be bought using meal vouchers.
Various meal voucher formats can be found:
- Paper vouchers in the form of a cheque books
- Prepaid and rechargeable smart cards (usable on the same devices as credit cards)
- Through an application on a mobile phone
When you use a card or an application on your smartphone, the exact amount you wish to pay will be debited. However, when using paper vouchers, sellers are not allowed to give you change.
Legal texts and references
Decree no. 2021-1368 of October 20th, 2021 on temporary derogations regarding the conditions of use of meal vouchers
Decree no. 2021-104 of February 2nd, 2021 on temporary derogations regarding the conditions of use of meal vouchers