The change of the law 142/1998 on granting meal tickets was published in the Official Monitor, Part 1, no. 701 of 15 November 2013. The changes relate to the introduction of electronic meal tickets, only to individual allocations of food covered by the above-mentioned law and the costs borne entirely by the employer.

Thus, Article 1, paragraph 3 states that the term “meal ticket” will be interpreted both as a meal ticket on paper and as an electronic meal ticket.

The electronic meal tickets are defined as value electronic vouchers exclusive governed  by the law 142/1998 modified and updated and exclusive intended for the allowance of food to individual employees.

Who chooses what type of meal tickets are granted

The type of meal tickets provided (paper or electronic) is decided by the employer in consultation with employees through unions or employee representatives, as appropriate, according to art. 1, paragraph 6.

The electronic meal tickets will be powered exclusively with the nominal value of the vouchers provided by the employer and used only for the payment of food or buying food. This type of tickets does not permit cash withdrawal.

The payment for meal tickets

The employer is obliged to pay to the issuing unit:

• the nominal value of meal tickets;
• if there are paper tickets, the cost of printing;
• if there are electronic tickets, the cost of issuing electronic media.

The value of meal tickets, regardless of the medium chosen, cannot be diminished, states in article 4, paragraph 3.

If there are electronic tickets, the debiting amounts are made for the values of purchased foods. The law comes into effect in February 2014, after 90 days from the date of publication in the Official Monitor and the implementing rules after 150 days from that date.

Read more about electronic meal tickets.

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