Turkey bans adding tips and service charges to bills

Turkish authorities have tightened the rules governing restaurants, cafés and other food-service establishments, definitively banning the automatic inclusion in bills of service charges, mandatory tips, “kuver” (a table-setting fee) and any similar additional charges. The amendments to the Regulation on Price Labels and Consumer Information Rules came into force after being published in the country’s Official Gazette on January 30, 2026, becoming part of the Ministry of Trade’s broader campaign to protect consumer rights and increase transparency in the services sector.

Previously, Turkish legislation allowed restaurants to charge such fees if they had been listed in advance on the menu or price list. In practice, however, many establishments added various extra items to the bill — “service charge,” “kuver,” “table fee” or similar payments — regularly prompting complaints from both local residents and foreign tourists. The new rules completely eliminate this possibility: consumers are required to pay only for the dishes and drinks they ordered, at the prices indicated on the menu.

At the same time, the Ministry of Trade specifically emphasized that tips are not being banned. On the contrary, they must remain an entirely voluntary way of thanking staff for good service. Neither the restaurant nor the waiter has the right to demand a mandatory payment or automatically include it in the bill. If a customer wishes to leave a tip, they may do so entirely at their own discretion.

Another important provision concerns the prices of dishes. If the price of the same item differs on the menu, on a price tag at the entrance, on the establishment’s website or on the bill, the lowest of all publicly advertised prices must apply. In this way, the authorities intend to prevent situations in which visitors are attracted by one price but presented with another when paying.

The new measures are receiving particular attention in the country’s tourist regions. According to restaurant industry representatives, the practice of imposing mandatory service charges was most widespread in popular resort areas, where foreign visitors were often unfamiliar with local rules and agreed to pay additional fees. This practice is now officially prohibited, and violations may lead to administrative sanctions.

Experts believe the changes will make pricing more transparent and strengthen consumer confidence. At the same time, many restaurateurs will likely compensate for the loss of service charges by adjusting the prices of the dishes themselves. Therefore, the new measures will not be able to completely rule out price increases — only the way prices are formed will change: instead of hidden surcharges, the costs will be included directly in menu prices.

For tourists, this means clearer rules: if a bill includes mandatory tips, a table fee, kuver or other additional charges that are not listed on the menu, consumers have the right to refuse to pay them and file a complaint with Turkey’s consumer protection authorities. The new regulations are intended to ensure that the final amount on the bill always corresponds to the prices visitors saw before placing their order.