Brazil PAT regulations introduce voucher interoperability amid rising restaurant fees

New regulations for the Worker Food Program (PAT) in Brazil are introducing significant changes to food and meal vouchers (VA/VR). Under Decree No. 12.712/2025, the market is undergoing a transition toward interoperability, which aims to reduce barriers between different payment arrangements and allow workers to use their benefits at a wider range of establishments regardless of the specific card issuer.

Despite government efforts to cap transaction fees for restaurants at 3.6% to encourage network expansion, recent data from Ipsos-Ipec indicates that average fees charged to establishments have actually risen. The average rate increased from 5.19% in 2025 to 6.18% in 2026. This increase is particularly impactful for small businesses; restaurants earning up to 30,000 reais monthly saw average rates climb from 4.79% to 6.44%.

While the new regulatory framework seeks to modernize the system and lower costs for merchants, many small establishments report that they have not yet seen the intended benefits, and some operators are reportedly using practices to circumvent the established fee limits.