Istanbul to auction 250 app-based taxi licenses

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) is holding its tenth auction for the ‘App-Based Taxi Model’ on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. This phase will auction 250 new taxi licenses, which grant operating rights to individuals for a 29-year period.

Under this new digital model, taxis will not pick up passengers hailing from the street. Instead, services must be requested exclusively through authorized mobile applications. The system utilizes digital taximeters and central oversight mechanisms from İBB and UKOME to enhance passenger safety, service quality, and pricing transparency.

To date, 691 app-based taxi licenses have been auctioned, resulting in 652 signed contracts and 615 vehicles currently in operation. The upcoming auction will follow a closed bidding process, where the top three bidders for each license will proceed to an auction phase. Eligibility is limited to real persons residing in Istanbul who hold at least a Class B driver's license and are between the ages of 22 and 69.