Electronic meal vouchers have now become a stable component of corporate welfare, but until now, many businesses (bars, restaurants, supermarkets) have complained about excessive costs—commissions, management fees, delayed reimbursements—which significantly reduced actual profits.
With the Competition Law approved in 2024, significant changes will come into force on September 1, 2025, reshaping the balance of power: a commission cap, clearer rules for contracts and validity, and therefore concrete opportunities for those who accept meal vouchers.
Updated regulations - what's changed from September 1, 2025
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From September 1, 2025, meal voucher issuers will not be able to charge merchants commissions exceeding 5% of the voucher's face value.
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This provision is part of Law No. 193/2024, better known as the Competition Law.
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The 5% limit applies to all contracts between merchants and issuing companies, whether new or pre-existing, including all related costs: POS, maintenance, and ancillary services.
There is a transition period for existing contracts: the previous conditions remain valid until December 31, 2025 for those contracts that do not yet comply with the new limit. 
Confirmations vs. changes compared to the past
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High commissions : Previously, the commissions that merchants had to pay reached up to 20-25% of the value of the meal voucher.
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The value of the meal voucher for the worker remains unchanged: it is not reduced by the commission cap, nor are the existing usage rules modified.
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Tax breaks remain unchanged: the digital voucher is tax-free up to 8 euros and the paper voucher is tax-free up to 4 euros .
Impacts for traders
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With the new cap, merchants will collect a higher percentage of the coupon's face value, since the commission can no longer exceed 5%. This means a significant improvement in margins on each accepted ticket.
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The number of merchants accepting meal vouchers could increase, especially those that previously refused them due to their high costs. This would mean a broader network of partners, which could also be useful in attracting new customers.
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Caution is required, however: those with existing contracts will need to verify (or have verified) the contractual conditions with the issuing companies to determine whether everything is already compliant or whether adjustments are necessary. Renegotiation may be mandatory.
Impacts for companies and workers
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For workers, the change is transparent: value, usage methods, and tax benefits remain unchanged.
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Easier to spend meal vouchers: more participating establishments means fewer problems finding outlets that accept them, and fewer rejections at checkout.
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For companies that provide meal vouchers: there may be variations in overall costs if the issuing companies try to compensate for the reduction in commissions in other ways (purchase prices, discounts to purchasing companies, ancillary services).
Challenges, risks and practical tips for locals
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Risks :
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Some issuing companies may reduce or change additional services to contain costs (e.g. digital platforms, POS management, reimbursement times)
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Contracts between merchants and broadcasters are not always easy to modify: there may be resistance, requests for unilateral changes, or discomfort during the transition phase.
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Practical tips :
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Check contracts : check the clauses relating to commissions, POS, additional services, discounts.
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Negotiate with the issuer if the current contract exceeds the 5% limit, seeking an adjustment.
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Manage the transition : Ensure your collection systems (POS, procedures) are ready and compliant, so there are no surprises in your cash flow.
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Monitor refund times : As fee reductions may impact the merchant's liquidity and the time it takes for the vouchers to be refunded to the merchant.
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Promote customer acceptance : Communicating that you accept meal vouchers and highlighting that the terms will be improved starting in September 2025 can be a competitive advantage.
The meal voucher reform, with the implementation of the 5% commission cap, represents a significant turning point for the restaurant and food retail sector. Starting September 1, 2025, businesses will have more margin, fewer hidden costs, and greater freedom to choose whether to accept this welfare tool.
Workers, for their part, will lose nothing in terms of value or tax benefits, but will gain in convenience and choice thanks to the network of affiliated locations, which will likely expand.