A bill introducing a licensing regime for foreign digital accommodation platforms has been approved by the Turkish Parliament's Public Works, Zoning, Transport and Tourism Commission. The proposed legislation is scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027, subject to completion of the legislative process and official publication.
Key Provisions
Under the proposed framework:
Mandatory licensing
- Foreign accommodation platforms would be required to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
- The initial licence fee would be TRY 5 million, with annual increases.
Local representation requirement
- Platforms would need to appoint an authorised representative in Turkey.
- A local address for receiving official notifications would also be required.
Permitted services
- Licensed platforms would be able to directly sell accommodation at officially certified tourism establishments and authorised short-term rental properties.
- Airline tickets may also be sold directly.
- Certain travel agency and vehicle rental services would need to be provided through appropriately authorised businesses.
Commission cap
- Commissions charged on domestic accommodation bookings would be capped at 17% of the sale price, excluding taxes.
Administrative sanctions
- Breaches of the rules could result in significant administrative fines.
- In some cases, penalties may reach ten times the amount unlawfully collected.
- Repeated violations could lead to licence revocation.
Access restrictions
- Platforms operating without a valid licence, or whose licences have expired or been cancelled, could be subject to access-blocking measures within Turkey.
Tourism contribution
- The bill would introduce an annual tourism contribution equal to 0.075% of the relevant digital services tax base.
Transition Period
Existing platforms operating in Turkey would have three months from the legislation's effective date to submit a licence application and comply with the new requirements.
What Happens Next?
Although the proposal has passed the relevant parliamentary commission, it has not yet completed the legislative process. The bill must be approved through the remaining parliamentary procedures and officially published before it can be treated as legally binding. Businesses operating in the Turkish travel and accommodation sector should therefore continue to monitor developments and assess the potential compliance implications of the proposed regime.
Key Takeaway
If enacted in its current form, the legislation would significantly increase regulatory oversight of foreign digital accommodation platforms operating in Turkey. Companies relying on online accommodation marketplaces should begin evaluating licensing, local representation, commission, and compliance requirements ahead of the proposed implementation date of 1 January 2027.
