{"id":117707,"date":"2025-07-18T08:27:22","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T08:27:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edenred.pt\/?p=117707"},"modified":"2025-07-18T08:27:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T08:27:24","slug":"how-does-the-meal-allowance-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.edenred.pt\/en\/news\/employee-benefits\/how-does-the-meal-allowance-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How does the meal allowance work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The meal allowance, or food allowance, is a supplement to the salary<\/strong> that aims to support workers in their expenses with meals and food during the working day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although it is not mandatory in the private sector, most employers choose to grant this extra salary benefit to their employees. In this way, they are helping to maximize their purchasing power<\/a> in food expenses and, consequently, promoting their quality of life and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how does the food allowance work in practice in Portugal? Come and find out with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does the food allowance have a minimum or maximum limit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the case of public administration<\/strong> workers, the value of the food allowance has been set at \u20ac6.00\/day<\/strong> since 2023 (Order no. 107-A\/2023 of April 18<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the private sector, however, payment of the allowance is not mandatory under the Labor Code<\/strong>. It is only paid if it is included in an individual or collective employment contract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, as there is no obligation to do so, companies that grant this benefit to their employees are free to set the amount allocated<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How the food allowance works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The food allowance<\/a> is a supplement to remuneration which is not obligatory under the Labor Code<\/strong>. As such, in the case of private companies, they can choose whether or not to grant this benefit to their employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The food allowance is only payable if it is provided for in the individual contract or collective bargaining agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it is paid, it is paid for each day actually worked<\/strong>. In other words, payment is not required on days when the employee does not work: on vacation days, in cases of illness (sick leave), during parental leave or marriage leave, in the event of unjustified absence or when exercising the right to strike, for example. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of how it is awarded, the food allowance can be granted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n