Ban on service charges, table fees, and cover charges in restaurants published in the Official Gazette

The number of complaints regarding practices in some restaurants of charging table fees, extra service charges, and fees under the name of cover charges had been increasing.

Authorities have taken action regarding practices that generate unfair profit.

According to the decision published in the Official Gazette, the practices of charging fees in restaurants under the names of service charges, table fees, and cover charges have been officially banned.

The decision published in the Official Gazette dated January 30, 2026, included the following statements:

"In the event that any fee is charged under any name other than the prices shown in the tariff and price list, it is mandatory for this to be shown in the tariff and price list. However, in establishments providing food and beverage services such as eateries, cafes, restaurants, and patisseries, provided that the provisions of Article 51 of the Labor Law No. 4857 dated 22/5/2003 are reserved; no additional payment may be requested from the consumer under any name such as service charge, table fee, cover charge, or similar."

News Source: 12punto