Turkey’s Ministry of Trade Puts an End to Unfair Restaurant Billing Practices — A New System to Protect Consumers

Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade Announces New Regulations to Stop Fraud and Manipulation in Restaurant Bills

The Turkish Ministry of Trade has introduced new regulations aimed at preventing fraud and unfair practices in restaurant billing, following a surge in complaints about unjustified extra charges imposed on customers.

What Problem Did the Ministry Aim to Solve?

Over the past months, the ministry received numerous complaints about:

• Adding items to the bill that the customer never ordered

• Charging excessive “service fees” without prior notice

• Automatically charging for bread, water, or appetizers even when they were not consumed

• Billing higher prices than those listed on the menu

• Lack of price transparency or hiding item prices

What Has Changed? — The New System

According to the official announcement:

• Restaurants are strictly prohibited from including any item on the bill that the customer did not order.

• Prices must be displayed clearly on menus and at tables.

• Any additional fees (such as service or presentation charges) must be:

  • Clearly declared in advance

  • Listed on the menu

  • Charged only with the customer’s approval

• The practice of “fixed lump-sum bills” without itemized details is now banned.

• The ministry will impose strict penalties and significant fines on restaurants that violate the new rules.

Purpose of the Decision

• Protect consumers from exploitation

• Ensure a fair and transparent commercial environment

• Eliminate “bill tricks” that have harmed the sector’s reputation

• Regulate the relationship between restaurants and consumers in a clear and understandable manner

In Summary

From now on, customers will only pay for what they actually ordered and consumed. No restaurant will be allowed to add unjustified items or fees to the bill.