It’s the first time in 10 years!
As of 1 January 2026, the maximum value of meal vouchers will increase from €8 to €10 per day worked.
This change, part of a federal government principle agreement, aims to strengthen the purchasing power in a challenging economic climate, while maintaining favorable tax conditions.
What does this mean your company? Monizze helps you navigate the changes.
It’s more than just lunch. It’s a moment to recharge.
Raising the value of meal vouchers to the maximum of €10 per day improves a key moment in your employees’ day as well as increasing their buying power, without overhauling your salary policy.
In a difficult social and economic landscape, this gesture can make all the difference
What are the tax implications?
Good news: the tax-deductible employer contribution doubles from €2 to €4 per voucher if you increase the value from €8 to €10. The goal? To strengthen both employees’ purchasing power and companies’ competitiveness.
The employee contribution of €1.09 per voucher is expected to remain unchanged.
Is it mandatory to increase the value of meal vouchers?
No. The increase is neither mandatory nor automatic.
As an employer, it’s your decision whether, and by how much, you increase the value of the meal vouchers granted to your employees.
Keep up with the rising cost of living
Prices are going up – and lunch is often the first thing people cut back on. With up to €10 per day, your employees can enjoy nutritious meals while sticking to their budget:
- They can choose the meal they really want, frustration-free
- They get to enjoy more choice and more freedom, including the freedom to eat better
- It’s a clear signal of recognition from their employer
A simple change for you that means a lot to them.
Will this impact your order fees?
No. With Monizze, your order fees remain fixed, regardless of the voucher value.
That’s a key difference compared to other issuers, where fees are calculated as a percentage of the voucher amount… potentially increasing your order fees by 25%.
With Monizze, you keep your costs under control while still offering an attractive benefit to your team.
What steps do you need to take?
Thinking about increasing the value of your employees’ meal vouchers? It’s smart to plan ahead.
- If the vouchers are part of a collective labor agreement (sectoral or company-level), social consultation is required.
- If they are only mentioned in individual employment contracts, you unilaterally adjust the amount.
👉Monizze has you covered: we’ve already prepared a template for a collective labor agreement and an individual labour agreement.
More than one in two companies is considering an increase
In a tight labour market, every benefit counts. Raising the daily meal voucher amount to €10 is a simple, effective HR tool.
- Makes you stand out from other employers
- Helps you retain your workers and attract more talent
- Shows that you’re listening to your employees’ needs
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