A new legislative proposal submitted by ruling party AKP lawmakers aims to allow foreign online travel agencies, including Booking.com, to return to the Turkish market under a structured legal framework after nearly nine years of suspension.
Under the proposed law, foreign platforms must obtain a two-year operation permit from the Tourism Ministry for an initial fee of 5 million liras. To qualify, platforms must register as digital service taxpayers, hold no outstanding tax debts, and appoint a local representative residing in Turkey.
Once certified, platforms can sell flight tickets and manage bookings for certified accommodations and short-term rentals. However, exclusive travel agency services and car rentals must still be routed through licensed local businesses. All operational disputes will be subject strictly to Turkish law and local courts.
The legislation caps total commissions charged to service providers at 17 percent of the sales price, excluding VAT. Platforms are also prohibited from penalizing providers for listing lower prices on alternative channels or demoting their search rankings without objective criteria. Additionally, foreign operators will contribute to the Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency based on their digital service tax base.
Fines for non-compliance range from 200,000 to 500,000 liras, while overcharging commissions can incur penalties up to 10 times the excess amount collected. Uncertified platforms risk access bans enforced by courts within 48 hours. Foreign platforms currently active in Turkey will have three months starting from the law’s enactment to apply for an official permit.
