The French Parliament has officially extended the use of restaurant vouchers for grocery shopping until the end of 2026, following a law adopted by the Senate on January 14, 2025.

This extension enables 5.4 million citizens to use their restaurant vouchers for purchasing essential non-immediately consumable food items, addressing concerns after the previous exemption expired at the end of 2024.

Initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to bolster purchasing power, this measure had faced restrictions as of January 1, 2025, limiting eligible purchases.

Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Véronique Louwagie, welcomed the adoption of this measure, emphasizing its role in alleviating consumer uncertainty and inconvenience.

The urgency of the situation led the Senate to align with the National Assembly's proposal for a two-year extension, despite initial resistance to a shorter duration.

Some lawmakers expressed concerns about the potential for an unintended permanent extension of the current system, highlighting the need for timely reform alongside the extension.

This extension ensures that if a comprehensive reform of the restaurant vouchers is not implemented, a new vote for further extension will not be necessary next year.

The extension allows for the purchase of essential food items such as pasta, flour, butter, and meat at supermarkets, which are crucial for many households.

The urgency for legislative action arose after it became illegal to use restaurant vouchers for most prepared food items as of January 1, 2025, prompting the need for this extension.

The previous restrictions on purchasing prepared food items were a result of government censorship under Prime Minister Michel Barnier, which delayed the legislative process.

The law had initially received unanimous support from the National Assembly in November 2024 but was temporarily halted due to the political climate.

Looking ahead, Minister Louwagie aims to present the major outlines of the restaurant voucher reform by summer 2025 to provide clarity for all stakeholders involved.