- within Food, Drugs, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Transport and Compliance topic(s)
Pursuant to the Regulation Amending the Regulation on Price
Tags, which was published in the Official Gazette dated 30 January
2026 and numbered 33153 and entered into force
("Amending Regulation"), as of 30
January 2026 restaurants, eateries, cafes, patisseries and other
establishments providing food and beverage services may not include
in their tariffs, menus or price lists any statements indicating
that an additional charge will be collected under the name of
"service charge", "table charge", "cover
charge" or any similar designation, nor may they request or
collect any additional fees from consumers.
The Ministry of Trade's announcement regarding these amendments
is available here, and the full text of the
Amending Regulation is available here.
Prior to the amendment, establishments were permitted to request
and collect from consumers, in addition to the prices indicated in
their tariffs, menus and price lists, certain charges under
different names such as a service charge, provided that such
charges were expressly disclosed in the relevant menu and price
list.
With the amendment, establishments may not request or collect any
additional charges under the names of service charge, table charge,
cover charge or similar headings. Furthermore, the cost of any food
and beverages brought to the table as an appetizer prior to
ordering without the consumer's request and considered within
the scope of cover charge may not be charged to the consumer.
Nevertheless, consumers may continue to make voluntary additional
payments, such as tips, solely at their own discretion and with
their free and informed consent.
In its announcement regarding the amendment, the Ministry of Trade
stated that the objectives include supporting a more competitive
market environment, increasing transparency by safeguarding
consumers' economic interests, and preventing misleading
practices.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
