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Decree Redefines Limits on Fees and Deadlines for Meal and Food Vouchers, Encourages Interoperability Between Card Brands, and Excludes Portability; Measure Affects Millions of Workers and Thousands of Companies Across the Country.
The federal government signed a decree on Tuesday (11) that regulates central points of the Worker’s Food Program (PAT) and changes the rules for meal vouchers (VR) and food vouchers (VA).
Among the measures are the establishment of a ceiling on fees charged to establishments, reduction of payment transfer deadlines, and the implementation of interoperability between card brands within a set timeframe.
The portability of the benefit, however, was left out due to technical reasons.
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Limit on Fees and Reduction of Deadlines
The text establishes a limit on the discount fee applied to establishments accepting VA and VR.
The ceiling will be 3.6%, a lower percentage than currently practiced by benefit operators, but higher than that charged in credit and debit card transactions.
The goal, according to the government, is to reduce costs for bars, restaurants, and supermarkets without undermining the remuneration of card brands and processors.
Another change is the payment settlement deadline.
Transfers, which on average occur between 30 and 60 days, will now have a maximum deadline of 15 calendar days after the transaction.
Companies will have 90 days to adapt to the new operational rules.
The decree also defines the timeline for full interoperability in the PAT payment arrangement.
Within 360 days, VA and VR cards must work in any compatible terminal, regardless of the acquirer.
The measure aims to increase competition and acceptance of the benefit.
Portability Delayed Due to Technical Barriers
The portability of the benefit, anticipated in previous decrees and supported by part of the economic team, was not included at this stage.
According to the government, the absence is due to technical barriers and the lack of consensus among the involved agencies.
The Ministry of Labor and Employment opposes the measure, while the Ministry of Finance is in favor.
The Central Bank is reluctant to participate in the regulation because it considers that vouchers do not qualify as conventional payment methods, complicating the creation of a common operational model.
Market Divided Between Fintechs and Traditional Companies
The new rules were awaited by companies that recently entered the benefits sector, such as Caju, Mercado Pago, Nubank, PicPay, iFood, Flash, and Swile.
Representatives of these companies believe that the changes may stimulate competition and reduce transaction costs in the market.
In contrast, the Brazilian Association of Worker Benefit Companies (ABBT), which includes traditional operators like Ticket, VR, and Alelo, stands opposed.
In a statement published in the press, the entity stated that the closed arrangement is important for ensuring control and oversight over accredited establishments.
The ABBT also pointed out that, under the current model, about 3,500 locations are de-accredited annually due to irregularities, including attempts at improper conversion of vouchers into cash.
Pressure for Lower Costs and Faster Transfers
The debate over fees and transfer deadlines has grown after studies indicated costs higher than those of other payment methods.
A survey by Ipsos-Ipec, conducted between March and April 2025, showed that the average fees charged by traditional benefit operators can reach 5.19%, potentially reaching 7% — a value 61% higher than that practiced by credit card operators.
Entities representing commerce, such as the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants (Abrasel) and the Brazilian Association of Supermarkets (Abras), argue that reducing fees and deadlines will provide financial relief for the sector and help in balancing cash flow.
According to Abrasel, interoperability should also facilitate the acceptance of vouchers, especially in small establishments.
Interoperability Should Change Acceptance in Commerce
Mandatory interoperability does not eliminate the existing closed arrangement model, but determines that large operators open their networks for cross-functional operation between brands and acquirers.
Industry experts explain that, in practice, this will allow the majority of transactions with vouchers to utilize the infrastructure of existing card networks in the country.
The adaptation will require technical adjustments between issuers, brands, and acquirers, with system and settlement protocol standardization.
For this reason, the decree sets a deadline of up to 360 days for full compliance.
During this period, companies will need to make gradual adjustments, under government supervision.
Expected Effects for Companies and Workers
According to industry analysts, the reduction in fees and transfer deadlines is likely to primarily benefit commercial establishments, by lowering operational costs and increasing cash flow predictability.
For workers, the benefit’s receipt format does not change at this moment.
Portability remains a topic for future discussions, while interoperability is expected to increase the acceptance of VA and VR cards at more points of sale as networks adjust.
The government claims that the changes preserve the social purpose of the PAT, which is to encourage adequate nutrition for workers.
In 2024, the Ministry of Labor had already restricted the use of the program for benefits not directly linked to food, such as telemedicine and gyms.
Scope and Reach of the Worker’s Food Program
The Worker’s Food Program currently serves more than 21.5 million people, of which approximately 86% receive up to five minimum wages.
Benefits are granted by approximately 300,000 companies, according to data from the Ministry of Labor.
The annual volume handled by the benefits sector in Brazil is around R$ 150 billion.
Government Must Monitor Implementation of the New Rules
The regulation provides for the creation of working groups to evaluate complementary rules and monitor the implementation of changes.
According to government technicians, these forums will discuss topics such as portability, oversight, and adjustments to the operational structure of the program.
Companies in the sector believe that the entry of new competitors could intensify competition and stimulate technological modernization of services.
Payment method specialists say that the challenge will be to balance lower costs, operational security, and ensure the social purpose of the PAT.
The decree establishes a new framework for the benefits system in the country.
For consumers and commerce, it remains to be seen if the changes will be perceived in terms of greater acceptance, shorter deadlines, or cost reduction.
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