Turkey: Cartels, Monopolies

he first half of 2026 confirmed that the Turkish Competition Authority (“TCA”) has no intention of slowing down when it comes to enforcement. From its real test of algorithmic pricing to interim measures against global tech platforms, the Turkish Competition Board (“Board”) covered remarkable ground in just six months.

The Turkish Competition Authority maintained its aggressive enforcement stance in the first half of 2026, delivering landmark decisions on algorithmic pricing, expanding dawn raid powers to remote devices, and imposing interim measures on global tech platforms. From raising merger control thresholds to investigating no-poach agreements across banking and insurance sectors, the TCA demonstrated its commitment to tackling anti-competitive practices in both traditional and digital markets.

A decision by the Turkish Competition Board ("Board") to revoke the full immunity previously granted to a leniency applicant would bring to the surface a structural tension that lies at the very heart of any leniency programme: The obligation to cease participating in the infringement on the one hand, and the obligation to maintain strict confidentiality of the application on the other. Such a development would raise a fundamental question that Turkish competition law has not yet squarely addressed and one that has major implications for the future of active cooperation in Turkey.

The Turkish Competition Board recently imposed administrative fines on both a consultancy company and its executive for facilitating price-fixing arrangements between driving schools.

In its decision dated 06.11.2025, numbered 25-41/1016-582, the Turkish Competition Board initiated an investigation into allegations that True Özel Araştırma ve Danışmanlık Ltd. Şti. participated as a cartel facilitator in price-fixing practices carried out among MVDS operating in the province of Aydın, in violation of Article 4 of the Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition.

The Turkish Competition Authority maintained an exceptionally active enforcement agenda in April 2026, addressing competition concerns across digital payments, healthcare, retail, and technology sectors. Major developments included commitment decisions for Mastercard and Visa, cartel fines in household appliances, and the launch of comprehensive investigations into orthopaedics markets and software distributors, alongside significant policy updates to merger control guidelines and digital market strategies.

Yeni Ceza Yönetmeliği, bir teşebbüsün aynı inceleme veya soruşturma kapsamında birden fazla rekabet hukuku ihlali gerçekleştirmesi durumunda, her ihlal için ayrı ayrı idari para cezası öngörerek rekabet hukuku alanında önemli yapısal değişiklikler getirmiştir.

The Regulation on Administrative Fines to Be Imposed in Cases of Restricestrictive Agreements, Concerted Practices, and Decisions, and Abuse of Dominant Position ("Regulation"), published in the Official Gazette dated December 27, 2024, and numbered 32765.

Rekabet Kurulu ("Kurul") Haziran ayında özellikle dijital platformlar ve tüketici elektroniği sektörüne yönelik rekabet hukuku endişeleriyle gündemdeydi.