Gift vouchers

What are your legal requirement as a business when selling gift vouchers?

This page explains the legal requirements for businesses selling gift vouchers in Ireland under the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019. It covers expiry periods, information you must give customers, using multiple vouchers, partial use and refunds, exclusions, and answers to common questions.

Under the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019 regarding businesses:

• Where a gift voucher is subject to an expiry date, it must have an expiry date of at least five years from the date of purchase.
• Customers must be provided with written confirmation on a durable medium of the expiry date (on paper or by email).
• Customers cannot be required to spend the full voucher amount in a single transaction.
• There can be no restriction on the number of vouchers used in a single transaction.
• The legislation applies to vouchers sold to both consumers and other businesses.

What changes did the 2019 Act introduce?

• There should be no expiry date on gift vouchers, or where an expiry date applies the duration must be at least five years.
• A voucher with an expiry date of less than five years is deemed to have a five-year expiry.
• Businesses must inform customers of any expiry date on a durable medium (paper or email), specifying the expiry date, contract date, and redemption period, or stating that no expiry applies.
• Customers do not have to spend the full voucher in one transaction. If more than €1 remains, the balance can be refunded by cash, electronic transfer, or a new voucher (with the original expiry).
• Businesses cannot limit the number of vouchers used in a transaction.

Are there any exclusions from the regulations?

Some vouchers are excluded from the Act, including:

• Vouchers from a specified trader(s) redeemable at a discount for specific goods/services for a specified date or period no more than three months
• Vouchers given as a refund for returned goods to a trader
• Vouchers deemed electronic money under the European Communities (Electronic Money) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 183 of 2011)
• Vouchers supplied through customer loyalty schemes
• Vouchers provided for promotional schemes for particular products

Frequently asked questions

Do gift vouchers sold before December 2019 fall under the legislation?

No. Gift vouchers sold before 2 December 2019 do not have to comply with the Act.

Do I need to reprint vouchers with a one-year expiry?

No, but you must inform customers of the correct expiry date in writing (paper or email). You should reprint vouchers as soon as practical to reflect the law.

Do I have to honour a voucher if the name is spelt incorrectly?

Yes, while businesses are free to restrict vouchers to a specific named person, you are required to amend and honour differences between the name on the voucher and how it appears on the person’s personal identification, free of charge.

Do I have to refund the balance if more than €1 remains?

Yes. Refunds can be given by cash, electronic transfer, or a new voucher (with the original expiry).

Can I limit the number of vouchers used in a transaction? 

No. There is no limit on the number of vouchers used in a single transaction.

Does the legislation apply to vouchers sold to other businesses?

Yes. The Act applies to business-to-business sales as well as consumer sales.

To find more information, visit the Consumer Protection (Gift Vouchers) Act 2019.