Federal Court suspends part of the new rules on meal vouchers and food vouchers

The Federal Court in the Federal District suspended, on an injunctive (provisional) basis, part of the new rules in force for food voucher and meal voucher cards.

The decision only applies to companies associated with the Brazilian Association of Workers' Benefit Companies (ABBT), the author of the action.

Among the associated companies are:

Allele;

Pluxee;

VR;

ValeShop.

The decision was handed down this Monday (9) by judge Frederico Botelho de Barros Viana, in a public civil action filed by ABBT against the Federal Union.

The entity questions operational changes established by Decree No. 12,712/2025, including:

the mandatory migration of certain operators to open arrangements;

the imposition of limits on fees charged;

and the reduction of the deadline for transferring amounts to establishments.

When granting urgent relief, the judge suspended the questioned provisions for companies associated with ABBT and determined that, in these points, the previous PAT regime be temporarily maintained.

g1 contacted ABBT and the Union and is awaiting a response until the last update of this report.

What was suspended?

The decision suspends for those associated with ABBT, among other points:

the obligation for operators with more than 500 thousand workers to migrate to open arrangements;

the 3.6% ceiling for the discount rate (MDR);

the 2% cap on the interchange fee;

the maximum period of 15 days for the transfer of amounts to establishments;

deadlines for adapting to new requirements;

powers given to the Management Committee to modify rates, deadlines and rules of payment arrangements.

The decision also determines that the Union and the Ministry of Labor and Employment refrain from applying penalties to companies benefiting from the injunction based on the suspended provisions.

The Union must be cited to present its defense. The process will also be forwarded to the Federal Public Ministry (MPF).

What is PAT?

The Workers' Food Program (PAT) was created in 1976 with the aim of improving the food and nutritional conditions of workers, especially low-income workers.

Administered by the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the program establishes rules for companies that offer food benefits to employees, including through meal vouchers (VR) and food vouchers (VA).

Employers' adherence to the program is voluntary. Participating companies that comply with the requirements may have access to tax treatment and tax incentives provided for by legislation.

The most recent changes were established by Decree No. 12,712/2025. The new rules began to come into force this Saturday (7).