Yes: food vouchers and remote working are compatible. Working remotely It does not affect the income tax exemptionthe benefit remains exempt until 11 € per working day, just like in the office. The only difference is where and how it's used, from ordering a home delivery to collecting it from the restaurant. We'll tell you when, how and why they are used while working from home.
A preliminary clarification: what was traditionally known as a restaurant cheque Today is a digital card (Ticket Restaurant, which works just the same whether you're in the office or at home.
. Each one decides which one is theirs after agreeing on aavailability schedulewith your company. This is one of the major advantages of remote working, which ensures flexibility, allowing each employee to decide when to dedicate time to each task. At the same time, thanks to the new telework regulations, the company will also be able to be certain that clients, superiors or colleagues will be able to locate the employee who is not in the office during a specific time slot each day, which they have agreed upon in each case.
The way to use them for remote working is as simple as making a phone call or ordering a meal online. The Ticket Restaurant card works for both picking up food at a restaurant with a take-away service and for having dishes delivered to your home for that day's meal., paying on receipt or ordering via an app.
The same experience that can be enjoyed in the restaurant is now accessible anywhere. Fancy eating in your living room? Want to eat out on the terrace during your lunch break? Have you thought about eating your favourite dishes in a nearby park? This is, without doubt, a commitment to quality of life that begins with flexibility.
Ticket Restaurant and remote working go hand-in-hand because it's a way to guarantee the flexibility the workforce expects., while still ensuring a significant advantage for the employee.
Furthermore, meal vouchers are often part of the terms of employment for employees; therefore, it is not possible to eliminate a right without negotiations between the two parties (the company and the labour representatives, or the employee himself).
From a tax perspective, the Ticket Restaurant is exempt from income tax up to €11 per working day, which increases the worker's purchasing power without affecting their net salary. Those euros that are not deducted from the payslip accumulate at the end of the month and represent significant savings over the year. You have the details – requirements, limits, and how it is reflected on the payslip – at Taxation of meal vouchers on Personal Income Tax.
This way, the employee working remotely doesn't have to worry about grocery shopping or cooking from Monday to Friday. They can fully enjoy the time they've decided to dedicate to their lunch break, savouring a restaurant-quality meal in their own home. It's another point in favour of meal vouchers for remote working.
Did you know that Ticket Restaurant is part of FOOD Programme, which promotes healthy lifestyle habits and a more balanced diet?
Its use during remote working promotes healthy and balanced eating habits by providing employees with opportunity to access nutritious food options. With the card, workers can opt for fresh and balanced meals instead of resorting to quick and unhealthy options.
This initiative not only encourages the choice of more nutritious foods, but also encourages dietary diversification by offering the opportunity to explore different culinary options. Furthermore, it promotes general employee well-being by ensuring they receive adequate nutrition, which contributes to improving productivity and quality of life in the context of teleworking.
Would you like to know more? Consult How does the restaurant card work, Where can it be used? – including home delivery – and the Advantages for businesses.
My professional career has been developed in areas such as training, consulting, and transformation within companies of different sizes and sectors, both within and outside of Spain. I am currently responsible for the Corporate Sales team at Edenred Spain, helping organisations to strengthen their value proposition through compensation and benefits strategies that generate value for both people and the business.
