€528 more in meal vouchers a year - that could cover your groceries in 2026
7 in 10 workers in Belgium get meal vouchers, and from 1 January 2026 they now top out at €10 per day, a €2 raise (the first increase in a decade). It's a small jump at first glance, but it definitely adds up. Before, the maximum you could get in a month was €176 - it's now €220.
That 25% increase in meal vouchers - chèque repas or maaltijdcheques - equals:
- +€44 monthly
- +€528 yearly in your pocket
What does this mean for your groceries? Combined with Spoonfeed's €25 Monday-Friday meal plans, your meal vouchers could cover all weekday groceries for two people.
- ~€25pp with our weekly meal plans; all dinners, all lunches, all weekdays
- ~€108.25pp grocery cost per month with Spoonfeed - leaving €111.75
In other words, Monday-Friday's groceries for two people covered only by meal vouchers. That leaves your budget wide open for you to reinvest in what you want. Higher savings? More weekend restaurants trips? Or just treat yourself!
Check out a typical week's menu at Spoonfeed!
If you get meal vouchers and will receive the raise, this is obviously good news as they're the most fiscally interesting that they have been in years, given inflation. As well, another rise to €12 is planned at some point in the future (planned being the key word, for now).
If you don't receive meal vouchers, the best way to put more money in your pocket is still to never spend it in the first place. That's done by shopping smartly. Following offers, freezing extra meals where possible, and cooking fresh, seasonal ingredients at home. That's what we do, meal vouchers or not!
Here's to your 2026!