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French National Assembly votes to make meal vouchers permanent for supermarket use
The French National Assembly has unanimously adopted a bill to make the use of meal vouchers (tickets-restaurant) for supermarket groceries permanent. Originally intended for prepared meals in restaurants, the use of these vouchers for raw food items like pasta, rice, and flour was introduced as a temporary measure in 2022 to combat food inflation.
The new legislation provides for a one-year extension of the current arrangement, with the measure becoming a permanent part of common law starting January 1, 2028. The bill also includes provisions for the digitalization of vouchers and the eventual phase-out of paper formats.
The decision has faced strong opposition from the restaurant sector. Representatives from the Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie (UMIH), including President Thierry Marx, expressed concerns that this shift favors large retailers and creates unfair competition. Industry leaders had advocated for a “double ceiling” system to limit supermarket spending and encourage voucher use in traditional restaurants, but this amendment was rejected by deputies.
Approximately six million employees in France currently benefit from this system, which is partially funded by employers. Proponents of the bill, including Deputy Christophe Naegelen, argue the measure is a vital victory for consumer purchasing power.
Entities
Assemblée nationale · Christophe Naegelen · Edenred · France · French National Assembly · National Assembly · Thierry Marx · Union des métiers et des industries de l'hôtellerie
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The text was adopted unanimously in commission. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The law aims to allow the use of restaurant vouchers in supermarkets. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Without the law, the use of vouchers in supermarkets would end on January 1, 2027. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The bill includes provisions for the end of paper formats. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tax exemptions for restaurant vouchers cost the state nearly 1.5 billion euros. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] A law regarding restaurant vouchers is expected to be voted on in the French National Assembly. www.leprogres.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The share of meal vouchers used in supermarkets rose from 22.4% to 32.6% between late 2022 and late 2025. www.lalsace.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] 93% of meal voucher beneficiaries consider them important for their purchasing power. www.lalsace.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Over one billion meal vouchers are issued annually in France. www.lalsace.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] The current derogation allowing meal vouchers for supermarket groceries is set to end on December 31, 2026. www.lalsace.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 6 million employees benefit from meal vouchers in France. www.lalsace.fr
- [● 2 SOURCES] Deputy Christophe Naegelen has introduced a bill to make the use of meal vouchers in supermarkets permanent. www.lalsace.fr