Turkey advances regulations for foreign digital accommodation platforms

The Turkish Parliament's Commission on Public Works, Reconstruction, Transport, and Tourism has approved a legislative proposal to regulate foreign digital accommodation platforms operating in Turkey. The bill, which includes major companies like Booking.com, Airbnb, and Expedia, aims to establish legal and financial responsibilities for international providers.

Key provisions of the proposal include a mandatory two-year permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, costing 5 million TL, and the requirement for platforms to appoint a local representative and maintain a contact address in Turkey. For domestic sales, the bill proposes a 17% cap on service commissions. Failure to comply could result in administrative fines or access bans.

Additionally, a separate legislative proposal has been submitted to the Grand National Assembly to expand the scope of the 'green passport' (special stamped passport). This proposal seeks to grant visa-free travel privileges to six professional groups—including doctors, engineers, architects, pharmacists, certified public accountants, and village/neighborhood mukhtars—to mitigate visa obstacles encountered during international professional activities.