Turkey proposes new regulations for foreign digital accommodation platforms

A new legislative proposal submitted by the AK Party to the Turkish Parliament introduces strict regulations for foreign digital accommodation platforms operating in Turkey. To continue operations, these platforms will be required to obtain official permits and maintain local representatives.

The proposal outlines a graduated system of sanctions for non-compliance. Administrative fines ranging from 200,000 TL to 500,000 TL will be imposed for various violations, including failing to meet reporting obligations to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism or exceeding the 17 percent commission limit. If a violation is repeated within the same calendar year, the fine increases by 50 percent; a third violation will result in the cancellation of the platform's operating permit.

Specific penalties target unfair pricing and service failures. Platforms collecting fees without providing services, or charging more than the agreed amount, face fines totaling ten times the unfairly collected amount. Additionally, platforms that restrict commercial relationships with service providers or unilaterally change prices may face fines of 500,000 TL. Failure to pay tourism shares or engaging in activities deemed harmful to national tourism may also lead to the immediate revocation of operating licenses.