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Turkey Bans Hidden Restaurant Fees, Cracks Down on Price Hikes
Turkey has implemented new regulations prohibiting restaurants from adding hidden fees to customer bills, such as service charges or cover charges. The move aims to increase transparency in pricing and protect consumers from unexpected costs. While tipping remains voluntary, restaurants are now prohibited from suggesting mandatory fees for services like table setting.
New Regulations and Consumer Rights
According to the regulations issued by the Turkish Ministry of Commerce, restaurants can no longer add extra charges to bills for services previously offered as “hidden costs.” This includes common practices like charging for bread, water, or a service fee automatically added to the total. Consumers are now legally entitled to pay only for the food and beverages they explicitly order. Reuters reports that the changes are intended to address long-standing complaints about unclear pricing in the hospitality sector.