The debate over shopping with meal cards has come to a conclusion.

The President of the Meal Card Association, Öner Piyade, stated that the Social Security Institution (SGK) has eased the burden on employers by removing premium payments for meal cards with its latest regulation, and that there are no restrictions on the use of these cards at restaurants, cafes, buffets, markets, and similar places.

"THE REGULATION WILL NOT CAUSE ANYONE TROUBLE"

In a statement from the association, Piyade emphasized that the recent regulation made by SGK is not a regulation that will cause difficulties for employees and employers or hinder food purchases under today's economic conditions.

Piyade expressed that the regulation has opened the way for increasing meal allowances in favor of employees.

Piyade reported that the Council of State's recent decision has prevented the collection of premiums from meal cards, which are in-kind assistance, stating, "SGK has declared that it will not collect premiums from meal cards by preparing a regulation and subsequently a circular in accordance with the subparagraph B of Article 80 of Law No. 5510, stating that it is in-kind assistance."

Piyade said, "SGK has transitioned to an application that completely exempts meal cards, which were valid before 2022, from premiums in favor of employees and employers. As clearly stated in Article 2.1.4 of the circular published on December 31, 2024, it is expressed that it can be used in all payments, such as the replacement of money, with the phrase 'in cash or in lieu of cash', with no restrictions, and valid in all bank POS systems and all sectors."

"SAME FOR 30 YEARS"

Piyade pointed out that meal cards cannot be used at bank POS systems and ATMs, stating, "They are only valid in a closed network at certain agreed points such as restaurants, cafes, markets, and buffets." He emphasized that since meal cards are not valid at every point and are limited to food and meals, they are not subject to any restrictions, and added: In this context, meal cards, which support the registered economy with an electronic control infrastructure, operate a 100% registered system without tax loss, and the scope of agreed workplaces has been the same for 30 years. Meal cards are exempt from premiums as in-kind assistance. There are no restrictions on the use of meal cards, which are limited to closed networks, at restaurants, cafes, buffets, markets, and similar places.