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A bill regulating foreign digital accommodation platforms has been approved by the Public Works, Zoning, Transport and Tourism Committee of the Turkish parliament (TBMM). If it becomes law, it will take effect on 1 January 2027. As of 12 October 2026, however, the General Assembly had not voted on it, so it is not yet law.
What happened?
- The bill: It requires foreign platforms such as Booking, Expedia and Airbnb to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism before they can sell accommodation in Turkey.
- The process: The AK Party submitted the bill to parliament in August 2026; it passed the committee in the first week of October. The General Assembly vote is next.
- Entry into force: 1 January 2027 if adopted. Platforms already operating would have to apply for a permit within three months of the law taking effect.
What does the bill introduce?
- A two-year permit: The fee is TRY 5 million, updated every year by the revaluation rate.
- Conditions: A representative and an official service address in Turkey, liability for the digital services tax, and no outstanding tax debt.
- A commission cap: At most 17% of the service fee, excluding taxes, on domestic sales.
- What can be sold: Directly, only tourism-licensed facilities, homes with permission for tourism rentals, and plane tickets. Other services must go through licensed travel agencies.
- Penalties: Administrative fines and access blocking for platforms that do not obtain a permit or whose application is rejected.
Will Booking come back straight away?
No, do not expect it in the short term. Today Booking can sell hotels abroad to users in Turkey, but it cannot take reservations for hotels in Turkey. This stems from a 2017 court ruling. Even if the bill becomes law, Booking would still need to obtain a permit and resolve its situation under that court ruling. According to Teknoblog’s assessment, the earliest possible return is 2027.
What does it mean for travellers?
- Nothing changes for the Greek islands. You can still book hotels on islands such as Lesbos, Chios and Rhodes through Booking from Turkey today. For our island-by-island recommendations, see our hotel guides for Lesbos, Chios, Samos, Kos, Rhodes and Kastellorizo.
- For hotels in Turkey, other platforms or the hotels’ own websites will continue to be used for now.
- We will update this article when the bill passes the General Assembly or is amended.
- Update (9 November 2026): The bill goes to the General Assembly from 10 November. Details: Turkey’s Booking bill reaches the General Assembly.
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Sources
- Euronews Türkçe: New rules in Turkey for platforms such as Booking, Expedia and Airbnb (7 October 2026, updated 12 October 2026)
- AA / Foreks: Foreign Digital Accommodation Platforms Bill accepted in committee (6 October 2026)
- Yeni Şafak: Booking bill in parliament (12 August 2026)
- CNBC-e: Returning to Turkey after 9 years (30 July 2026)
- Teknoblog: Is Booking.com returning to Turkey? (31 July 2026)
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