Brazil Enacts Uniform Rules for Meal Vouchers Across All Companies

Decree No. 12.712/2025 establishes uniform regulations for the provision and use of vale‑alimentação (VA) and vale‑refeição (VR) benefits in Brazil. The rules apply to every employer that offers these benefits, regardless of whether the company is enrolled in the Programa de Alimentação do Trabalhador (PAT). Key provisions include a maximum discount rate (MDR) of 3.6 % on transactions made at restaurants, supermarkets and other accredited establishments, and a 15‑day deadline for financial settlement of those transactions. The decree also prohibits the segregation of workers’ balances into separate categories such as “PAT aid” and “CLT aid,” citing incompatibility with the principles of equality and interoperability. By extending the regulatory scope to the entire supply chain—issuers, credentialing agencies and merchants—the government aims to ensure consistent, fair treatment for all workers and prevent discriminatory practices in the operation of meal‑voucher programs.