Use itsRestaurant ticketshas been significantly simplified with recent regulations:ceilingof 25 € per day is now the only constraint, regardless of the format or number of titles presented at the same time. However, behind this common rule, each business retains its own, sometimes stricter, habits, and some practical tricks help avoid complicated situations in cash. For the management of the family's meal budget, it is better to understand these nuances of everyday life: they promote a calm payment, whether for shopping or lunch.
Summary of key points
- ✅ The ceiling of 25 € per day is the only national constraint for restaurant tickets.
- ✅ Each trade may apply stricter internal rules on the number of tickets accepted.
- ✅ Mixed payment (tickets + credit card) is a practical solution in case of limit.
How many restaurant tickets can be used by cashiers?
Since October 2022, the regulation no longer sets national restrictions on thenumberRestaurant tickets can be used at once, whether in cash or with a dematerialised card. The only criterion that now counts is theceiling of 25 € maximum per day per person, applicable to all formats – paper as a map – and for all food businesses up to31 December 2026(seeOpeneat source).
In concrete terms, it is possible to pay with 2 tickets of 12 €, 3 of 8 € or 5 tickets of 5 €, where the total meets the threshold of 25 €. However, some brands sometimes set their own limits (« maximum 3 tickets per pass »(e.g.), marked at the entrance or in the box. This flexibility replaces the old rule which limited two tickets, often considered penalising. Many find that the real risk of blockage usually comes from the internal rules of some supermarkets, not from legislation.
To be noted:no official limit on the number of securities used, butdaily ceiling of 25 €per person remains unavoidable.
Legal ceiling – which texts apply?
The current regulations are based on articles L3262-1 to L3262-5 of theLabour Codeand the press releasesrecent CNTR(National Commission of Titles-Restaurant). The fixed amount of 25 € by passage exists since the1 October 2022for all beneficiary employees, and its application is guaranteed until the end of 2026.
- Daily ceiling of 25 €for all, paper and dematerialised
- NoCurrency returnwith paper tickets: better to anticipate,
- Dematerialized map: exact debited amount, automatic compliance with ceiling
An expert from CNTR recently mentioned that online guides for employees are updated frequently: checking the commission's website remains a good habit to follow developments.
Why do some traders limit the number of tickets?
Less known detail: even if the national rule does not impose anything, each store or restaurant can,for its own logistical or IT constraintssetting internal limits. We are sometimes surprised by the display « max 2 tickets/purchase »... While no law provides for this practice! Some distribution professionals believe that these thresholds are also used to smooth lines, limit commissions, or simplify cash flow.
- In the large distribution (Leclerc, Carrefour, Auchan...), there are commonly limits to the2 or 3 tickets per pass
- Independent restaurants tend to keep to the legal ceiling: therefore, use is more flexible on the number
- Organic stores, caterers, specialized points: varying restrictions depending on influence, equipment or choice of manager
In practice, the merchant chooses the rules that suit him, it is not always felt as "just". Several clients report that thedematerialised mapoffers more tranquility: the ceiling is managed on its own and there is no risk of error related to the number of paper coupons to be scanned.
What to do in case of refusal or internal limitation?
No need to worry if a sign refuses to accept more tickets than expected. There are several options:
- Request a mixed payment: tickets and credit card or cash for the rest (practice in large purchases)
- Make several successive purchases: but beware, thedaily ceilingdo not change, no need to try to bypass it
- Take a picture of the display to support a possible complaint: some consumers have already settled disputes as well
Moreover, the majority of cash refusals are related to a lack of information on the market side (not a desire to block). One trainer said that, very often, it is enough to ask the right question or to exchange a few words with the cashier to make the situation calm.
Good to know
I recommend you always ask politely for explanations in case of refusal: often, a simple dialogue with the cashier unlocks the situation quickly.
Paper, card or app tickets – what concrete differences?
The choice between paper ticket, card or dematerialised application really changes the way you use your restaurant titles on a daily basis, and goes well beyond a technological preference: it can make budget management more efficient or – on the contrary – complicate cash flow.
At home, some members pay everything via their phone, while others keep the paper ticket bundle « in case ». A professional in the sector said that the trend is clearly towards digital growth, but there are still paper-based followers for visual control. (Is this really a choice? Many still hesitate.)
| Support | Key Advantage | Limit(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper | Precise visual inspection of the number | No currency return Risk of refusal in case of excess tickets |
| Card / App | Accurate payment Automatic ceiling Fast management possible |
Essential compatible terminal |
The reality: payment to the nearest cent does not exist on paper tickets, and remains limited with the card (which just debits the exact sum). Several users report that the card/app ceiling is totally automatic, and the transaction is validated in seconds (major publishers show greater satisfaction than4,7/5based on recurrent surveys).
How to allocate the ceiling of 25 € Depending on the value of the tickets?
It is possible to rely on a few concrete examples to optimize the use of its restaurant titles. Some choose to accumulate small amounts to stick to the ceiling without losing a cent. Typical combinations include:
- 3 tickets to 8 €Total 24 €
- 2 tickets at 12,10 €Total 24.20 €
- 5 tickets to 5 €Total 25 €
- 2 tickets to 10 € + 1 to 5 €Total 25 €
Good to know: with the card, if the last ticket exceeds the ceiling, the terminal blocks the transaction or invites you to complete with a credit card – no cent is lost. Moreover, it sometimes happens that a cashier spontaneously proposes this option: to avoid many upsets.
Mixed payment: tickets and card, how to do it?
When the amount of the races exceeds25 €, or as soon as non-food items are included, do not hesitate to pay the eligible amount with tickets (up to 25 €), then complete with your credit card or cash for the difference. This operation is validated by the regulations (sources: CNTR and USSRAF), and accepted in more than220,000 affiliated outletsin France.
According to a former teacher, a number of employees are unaware of the possibility of mixed payment, whereas it is one of the most practical options when the sign reduces the number of tickets accepted.
To avoid inconvenience in cash, find out how theSG contactless payment: understand everything on the card and application SG Paycan simplify your food transactions.
To complete your restaurant tickets in cash, aPrepaid credit card: benefits, limits and comparison in 2026can be a flexible and practical solution.
To optimize your restaurant ticket payments, it may be useful to know the rules surrounding thecash withdrawal at the bank: maximum amounts, rules and tricks in 2024.
Concrete example: two-step payment
Imagine a basket of38,60 €in supermarkets, of which 28 € of foodstuffs. You can use:2 tickets of 12,10 €(24.20) € for the eligible party), then settle the rest (14,40 €) by credit card. Simple and efficient: this system avoids many embarrassments when paying. For Léna, a high school girl with a tight budget, finish her races « in two steps » became a real automatism.
Points of vigilance, tips and practical FAQ
Want to get to the car quietly? Some advice is sufficient to remove most of the usual doubts.
FAQ: Limitations, refusals and good practices
- Legal limit on the number of tickets:No, it's only theceiling of 25 €/daythat counts.
- Merchant limiting to 2 or 3 tickets?Right reserved to store: Always check the display, and complete with the credit card if necessary.
- Value of a ticket:by employer, generally between8 €and14,52 €, regularly12,10 €for the most common titles.
- Online Regulation:may be used subject to the use of the partner mobile card or app (logo Ticket Restaurant to follow).
- Restaurant/supermarket differences :The ceiling applies everywhere, but supermarkets can add internal limits while in restoration, flexibility remains more frequent.
Note: Split use (passing the caisse several times in the same store and on the same day) remains prohibited. In the event of repeated abuse or refusal, the CNTR or a mediator may intervene and provide an official reply under15 days.
Good reflexes to avoid blockage in case
Ensuring a fluid experience requires a little preparation. Several experts recommend these steps:
- Identify signs indicating the ceiling or number of tickets allowed in the trade
- Prior separation of food products from non-food products to save time
- First present tickets or card, then complete in CB depending on remaining balance
- In case of doubt, question the cashier politely... A benevolent word regularly unlocks the situation
If you face an unexpected refusal: keep the ticket or take a picture of the display. Some customer services, rated up to4,8/5, would process applications in less thanabout 11 minutes. A appreciated speed when the line moves slowly!
Legal summary, tools, useful contacts
In summary: it is allowed to use as many restaurant tickets as necessary, provided that it does not exceed25 € per day per person, whether you choose paper, card or dematerialized application. However, the trader can introduce a stricter internal rule, always clearly displayed. This flexibility is reassuring, especially in the face of the unexpected risk just before the lunch break.
To simulate the combinations or check the rules applicable to your sign, it is best to use the calculation simulators offered in restaurant title applications, or to consult the CNTR FAQ and theOpeneat guide.
- Legal references:Article L3262 of the Labour Code, CNTR Communiqué for the period October 2022 to May 2026, Official CNTR FAQ.
- Assistance tools:simulator and hotline accessible via the majority of employer applications or major suppliers.
- Looking for a complete guide? Prefer the downloadable package leaflet or contact a "expert" directly via your supplier's website.
Updated in July 2025. These indications are valid throughout metropolitan France, except for specific overseas cases: verification of local agreements is regularly useful.