Brazil’s latest changes to the Worker’s Food Program (PAT) require meal vouchers (VR) and food vouchers (VA) from different operators to work across the same payment networks, provided a business accepts that type of benefit and its terminal is enabled for it. The measure, known as interoperability, takes effect on Saturday, November 7, and is intended to broaden the places where workers can spend their benefits.
In practice, a restaurant that accepts one operator’s card may also be able to accept cards from other operators. The rule does not mean that every payment terminal will accept every card: terminals must be set up to process meal or food benefits.
Workers do not need to take action, update their account or replace their card, and their available balance will not change. The new arrangement is for operators and payment networks to implement. Messages asking for personal information, passwords or a compulsory card update should be treated with caution.
Interoperability also does not change the purpose of either benefit. VR remains for ready-to-eat meals, such as those bought at restaurants and snack bars. VA remains for buying food at businesses such as supermarkets, bakeries, butcher shops and produce stores. Neither benefit may be used to buy products unrelated to food.
The decree establishing the changes, No. 12,712, was published on November 11, 2025, and set implementation periods of 90 days, 180 days and one year. The November 7 deadline marks the final stage, covering full interoperability on enabled networks. The Ministry of Labor says it does not plan to extend the deadline and that the lack of supplementary regulation does not remove companies’ obligation to comply.
The rules also set limits on payment costs from February 2026: the fee charged to a business may not exceed 3.6% of a sale, while the interchange fee between participating companies is capped at 2%. Businesses must receive payment within 15 calendar days, and providers may not charge them an enrollment fee or annual fee.
According to Abrasel, businesses do not need to buy new equipment or make a financial investment to adapt; the technical changes are the responsibility of benefit operators and payment networks. Abecs says payment-sector systems are being prepared alongside retailers and other participants. Merchants are advised to confirm with their payment provider that their equipment and account are enabled to accept different cards.
If a card is declined, workers should record the establishment, date and time and, if possible, keep a photo of the message on the terminal. They can contact the card operator and their employer’s human resources department. If the issue continues, a complaint can be submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Employment through its labor complaint channel or at atendimento.pat@trabalho.gov.br.
The Secretariat of Labor Inspection will oversee compliance. Companies that violate the rules may face fines of R$5,000 to R$50,000, which can double for repeat violations or obstruction of inspections. They may also lose their PAT registration and related tax benefits.
Sources: Folha Mercado.