A study conducted by the Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) reveals that the value voucher system—including meal cards, holiday vouchers, and social aid tickets—contributed over 1.4% to Romania’s GDP in 2024 and supported more than 213,000 jobs nationwide. The findings were presented at the Policy & Impact Forum hosted by the French Embassy in Romania.

The report estimates that eliminating value vouchers would result in annual losses of approximately RON 18.99 billion (1.079% of GDP) and over 150,000 jobs, mainly in retail, food services, and other service sectors. Simulations indicate that indexing vouchers to inflation could add up to 18,500 jobs and raise GDP by an additional 0.14%.

Dragoș Pîslaru, Minister of Investments and European Projects, called the voucher system “a pillar of the modern state”, noting its role as a transparent tool for investing in human capital with substantial economic returns. He also announced that the second installment of Romania’s Support Program funds will be disbursed to beneficiaries via value vouchers in December 2025.

At the policy level, the Ministry of Labour is working on raising the face value of meal vouchers to RON 50, citing economic conditions that rendered the current adjustment formula ineffective. This initiative was outlined by State Secretary Ciprian Văcaru.

Gabriela Horga, Chair of the Budget, Finance, Banking, and Capital Market Committee, highlighted how value vouchers help formalize economic activity and stimulate consumption in strategic sectors. Officials from the Ministry of Economy emphasized the role of holiday vouchers in boosting local tourism and reducing tax evasion.

The ASE study recommends preserving and expanding voucher-based public policies, including implementing automatic inflation-adjustment mechanisms. Researchers argue that these are not budgetary costs but economic stabilizers that reduce poverty and support long-term growth.