Meal vouchers in Luxembourg: boosting employee well-being and purchasing power

Although not very visible, meal vouchers are widely used and have a direct impact on how employees eat, organize themselves, and live their daily lives in Luxembourg. Faced with rising living costs and sometimes intense work schedules, more and more employees are relying on this benefit to balance their food budget, eat better, and treat themselves without feeling guilty. But how indispensable have meal vouchers become in everyday life ? And what do they reveal about employees’ real expectations in terms of quality of life ?

Practical support every day, far beyond lunch

Unlike other employee benefits, which are often abstract or deferred, meal vouchers are used every day. The survey conducted in August 2025 by ILRES for Up Luxembourg shows that for the majority of employees, they are far from insignificant:

• 90% of beneficiaries consider them a significant supplement to their budget.
• 75% use them several times a week.
• 52% believe they are essential for maintaining a balanced diet.

What is striking is the diversity of uses. While lunch breaks remain important, many employees also use their meal vouchers to buy groceries. The result is a flexible benefit that adapts to needs, lifestyles, and even unexpected events.

A real boost to purchasing power thanks to Luxembourg employee meal vouchers

Meal vouchers are not just a symbolic gesture: they translate into a tangible net gain for employees.

Whereas a gross salary increase is immediately subject to social security contributions and taxes, meal vouchers are exempt up to €12.20 per voucher, which maximizes their effect on real income.

Let’s take an example of an employee earning €5,000 gross per month:

Result: the employee receives nearly €340 net extra per year, while reducing costs for their company.

Beyond the numbers, it provides real support for purchasing power and quality of life. Every meal voucher used reminds employees that their employer cares about them—a small gesture, but one that makes a big difference in their daily lives.

From the fridge to the restaurant: easier food choices with employee meal vouchers

The impact of meal vouchers goes far beyond the financial aspect. In fact, one in two employees has seen an improvement in the quality of their diet since receiving them.

Easier access to a more varied range of food, more regular purchases of fresh produce, and greater attention to nutritional balance are all changes that have been observed in both meals and everyday shopping.

And among those who do not yet have access to them, 72% say they would change their eating habits if they could benefit from them. This shows how useful, concrete, and transformative this benefit is perceived to be.

Flexibility, enjoyment, and common sense

Another factor often cited by employees is the pleasure of spending without constraints. 48% of employees surveyed believe that meal vouchers allow them to treat themselves.

Meal vouchers allow you to:

• vary your pleasures without breaking the bank,
• choose higher quality options,
• manage your lunch AND dinner meals,
• adapt your consumption to your desires and needs.

Meal vouchers have become a real pillar of personal balance for many employees. Their usefulness goes far beyond the lunch break: they help with shopping, improve nutrition, bring pleasure, and lighten the mental load.

A small benefit that actually has a big impact.

Want to know more ?

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