Turkey Introduces Spending Cap on Meal Cards

A new regulation issued by the Turkish Treasury and Finance Ministry has placed a daily spending cap of ₺158 on grocery purchases made using employee meal cards, aiming to restrict their use to food-related expenses only.

What’s New?

The daily ₺158 limit, calculated over 22 working days, translates into a monthly cap of ₺3,476 for market shopping using meal cards. Any amount exceeding this limit will be denied at checkout.

The goal, according to the ministry, is to ensure tax incentives granted to employers for meal benefits are used solely for meal consumption — not general shopping.

Why the Change Matters

Meal cards are a popular non-cash benefit for employees across Turkey. However, many users have long relied on them to buy groceries, leading the government to intervene and tighten enforcement.

The move will impact:

• Employees, who may find the limit insufficient amid rising food prices

• Employers, who must ensure compliance or risk losing tax deductions

• Small businesses, which some argue are being unfairly burdened

Public Backlash: “Where Can You Eat for ₺158 a Day?”

Consumer Confederation President Aydın Ağaoğlu criticized the decision, telling Sözcü:

“This is a typical case of ‘the butcher cares about the meat, the sheep about its life.’ The Finance Ministry is placing constraints on how much tax employers can deduct, shifting the burden onto consumers and small businesses.”

He added:

“With dishes like kuru fasulye now costing up to ₺300, how can one reasonably eat out for ₺158? Aside from city-run canteens, that’s nearly impossible.”

Policy Justification & Alternatives

The ministry claims the tax advantage on meal benefits must only apply to actual meal consumption. As an alternative, employers can provide meal allowances in cash, which also qualify for tax benefits — provided the funds are spent on food.

Critics argue the move:

• Targets consumers and small businesses

• Fails to reflect current food price levels

• Offers no flexibility for high-cost urban areas