The 2025 meal vouchers, also called meal vouchers, concern a large proportion of workers in France. Issued by employers to partially finance lunches, they represent a significant social benefit, but are not eternal. We take stock of the rules in force.
Paper vs. dematerialized
For tickets in paper format, the deadline is January 31, 2026. After this deadline, your precious meal vouchers lose all value with businesses. The dematerialized versions, via card or app like Edenred or Sodexo, offer a reprieve until February 28, 2026. This difference is explained by the ease of digital management: the unused balance expires automatically, without manual intervention. The aim here is to encourage rapid consumption and avoid dormant stocks. Traders must refuse expired titles under penalty of sanctions.
How to request the postponement of your titles for free?
If you have too many titles in stock, don’t panic. Employees have 15 days after expiration to ask their employer for an exchange for 2026 securities. On this point, fans of dematerialization have a major advantage: in addition to having two additional months of respite, their credits are automatically converted from one year to the next to avoid losses. No action to take therefore, the transfer is often automatic towards year N. Please however check your balance and the conditions of your operator to be sure.
At Swile for example, all you need to do is activate automatic reporting. Same thing at Edenred and Sodexo, each of which offers a detailed procedure. Please note: this option only applies to employees still working. Resigned or retired? Your tickets will go in the trash after expiry, unless you decide to donate them to associations before March.
Teleworking: the same rules for everyone
Since a ruling by the Court of Cassation on October 8, 2025, the same rules are valid for everyone. Teleworkers are entitled to the same tickets as those present on site, if the meal is included in the daily schedule. This decision, resulting from article L.1222-9 of the Labor Code, puts an end to post-Covid discriminatory practices, while clarifying a gray area often exploited to the advantage of employees.
Towards total dematerialization
2026 should mark a turning point in the use of meal vouchers, with the obligation of dematerialization on March 1, 2027, announced by Minister Olivia Grégoire. A system which would not only reduce costs but which would also avoid the risk of fraud. Let us also remember that after much debate on the issue, and palpable discontent among restaurateurs, Law No. 2025-56 now allows all food products, including pasta or oils, to be purchased via the system. The ceiling of €25 per day remains active, with a ban on use on Sundays and public holidays, unless specifically exempted.
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