Did you know that the value of meal vouchers has not been indexed since 2016? Meanwhile, food prices have risen significantly – and your employees feel it in their wallets.
Fortunately, there’s good news: starting January 1, 2026, the maximum value of meal vouchers will increase by €2! A great opportunity to give your employees an extra boost – in a tax-efficient way.
New conditions
Today, the maximum value of a meal voucher is €8. As of January 1, 2026, that maximum will rise for the first time by €2 – up to €10. The government also plans to increase this further to €12 at a later stage.
The tax-deductible amount, currently €2 per voucher, will be raised to €4 per voucher.
The changes to the maximum employer contribution and the minimum employee contribution have not yet been confirmed.
What remains unchanged?
- Meal vouchers remain 100% exempt from social security contributions.
- You cannot grant a higher value than the legal maximum without it being considered salary.*
- The amount must be stipulated in your individual or collective employment agreement.
*Want to grant more than €10? Then the employee contribution must also be increased. If you exceed the maximum employer contribution, the surplus will be considered salary.
Why is this increase good news for your company too?
Raising meal vouchers is not only beneficial for employees but also strategically valuable for your organization:
- Attract talent
Fringe benefits make a difference. By offering higher meal vouchers, you stand out as an attractive employer. - Boost employee engagement
Your current employees will appreciate the increase. The result? Greater commitment and motivation. - Support your team’s purchasing power
Help employees keep their daily expenses affordable. That’s an investment in well-being and loyalty.
How to increase the value of your meal vouchers
- Choose the new amount.
- Update your collective or individual employment agreements.
If there is already a sectoral arrangement via your joint committee, a separate CBA is only required if you want to grant more.
- Order your meal vouchers with the new value via your trusted platform or by informing your social secretariat.
- Make sure your payroll system reflects the new amount.
- Share the good news with your employees.
Good to know: Your existing contract with Pluxee does not need to be amended. Once the changes take effect, you can place your orders right away. Pluxee will keep you updated as soon as more details are available – so be sure to check our website regularly!