Do you know about the benefits of the lunch benefit?

Does your employer offer you a lunch benefit? That's great! The lunch benefit provides not only a tasty break during the workday but also many other advantages. Read below what are the benefits of using the lunch benefit. Did you know about all of them?

The benefits of using the lunch benefit

Financial advantage

1. Tax advantage:
The lunch benefit is a tax-supported employee benefit. When the lunch benefit is used within the daily payment limits defined by the Tax Administration, it results in a tax advantage, meaning, for example, that you don’t have to pay for an entire 13,70 € lunch out of your own pocket. This allows the saved money to be used for something else! Calculate your savings with the lunch benefit savings calculator.

2. Saving on food costs:
By using the lunch benefit, employees can enjoy nutritious, ready-made lunch meals at a lower cost. Many restaurants offer special deals or discounts for lunch diners, which also reduces daily food costs.

Psst! Did you know that in addition to these, the lunch benefit also supports restaurants, creating jobs in the restaurant sector? The advantages for the Finnish economy are significant despite the tax deduction.

Health benefits

3. Improved food quality:
The lunch benefit encourages to choose nutritious and high-quality meals more often, reducing the need to buy expensive ready-made meals or unhealthy snacks.

4. Regular eating:
Using the lunch benefit promotes regular and healthy eating, which can enhance wellbeing and reduce healthcare costs in the long term. Lunch meals are often diverse and filling, which decreases the likelihood of unnecessary snacking.

5. Variety in meals:
Lunch restaurants often provide a diverse selection of salads and vegetables, making it easier to meet daily vegetable and fiber intake recommendations. In particular, buffet restaurants allow you to easily assemble a plate according to recommended guidelines, helping to keep the meal balanced in terms of fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. Studies show that, for example, men consume more vegetables thanks to the lunch benefit. A well-balanced diet promotes health, reduces illnesses, and improves work ability, thereby decreasing leaves from work.

Flexibility and time saving

6. Flexibility:
The lunch benefit can be used wherever its user is! The benefit is flexible, taking into account different work shifts and daily rhythms. It can also be used outside the traditional lunch hours, making it convenient for different schedules.

7. Wide variety of options:
With the lunch benefit, employees can choose restaurants and meals that best match their taste preferences and budget, as long as they take into account the daily payment limits set annually by the Tax Administration.

8. Time saving:
The lunch benefit can be used as a payment method in restaurants, cafes, grocery stores, and for delivery services like Wolt. Since you don’t have to prepare food yourself, it frees up more time for other activities!

The lunch benefit is a financially beneficial benefit, as it offers tax advantages, savings on daily food costs, and offers the opportunity to enjoy quality meals without significant expenses. Additionally, it supports employee wellbeing and work ability, which also benefits the employer.

Order Edenred Lounari

Is your employer not offering lunch benefit yet? Tip them about Edenred's benefits!

We are once again looking for Finland's best lunch restaurant this September!

This upcoming autumn, we are organizing the highly popular Finland's Best Lunch competition already for the 7th time. The open online voting will take place from 1.9. until 21.9.2025 on paraslounas.fi. Delicious prizes will be raffled among the voters, read more on the campaign page and show your support for your favorite restaurant!