An agreement in principle has been reached at the Council of Ministers: the face value of meal vouchers will be increased by €2 from 1 January 2026. Workers will benefit from a direct net gain, while tax deductibility for employers will be raised from €2 to €4 per voucher, in order to maintain a balance between purchasing power and competitiveness.
This measure is part of a coherent policy pursued by the government to reward work and increase net pay, in line with the coalition agreement.
5.5% wage increase over two years
Wages will automatically rise by 5.5% over the 2025/2026 period. In addition, the minimum wage will increase by €35 gross from 1 April 2026, with full compensation for employers.
Nearly €1 billion in relief for businesses
To support these measures, the government plans €888 million in employer contribution cuts: €325 million in 2025 and €563 million in 2026.
More purchasing power and lower labour costs
“We are acting to increase workers' net pay while reducing labour costs for employers. This is a responsible policy, focused on purchasing power and the competitiveness of our economy,” said David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment.