Meal fees for civil servants have been determined

The minimum meal fees to be paid by civil servants and contract personnel who will benefit from lunch services at public institutions in 2026 have been clarified. The Communiqué on the Implementation of the Regulation on Food Assistance for Civil Servants has been published in the Official Gazette and has entered into force.

The communiqué, prepared by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, covers civil servants and contract personnel working in public administrations within the scope of the general budget, special budgeted organizations, state-owned economic enterprises, revolving fund enterprises, and other public institutions.

It was reported that the regulation was prepared based on Article 4 of the Regulation on Food Assistance for Civil Servants, which was put into effect by the Council of Ministers Decision dated November 19, 1986, and numbered 86/11220.

BUDGET SHARE FOR MEAL EXPENSES LIMITED

According to the new practice, the entire cost of lunch services will not be covered by the public budget. A maximum of two-thirds of meal expenses in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, and a maximum of half in other provinces, can be paid from institutional budgets.

The amount exceeding these limits will be collected from public employees who benefit from the lunch service.

DAILY MEAL FEES DETERMINED

Throughout 2026, a daily meal fee will be collected from personnel benefiting from the lunch service in accordance with the amounts listed in Annex-1. Furthermore, public institutions have been authorized to set meal fees above the determined minimum amounts, taking into account the personnel's staff or position, the nature of the service provided, meal costs, and service conditions.

IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE CLARIFIED

The daily meal fees determined within the scope of the communiqué will be valid between January 15, 2026, and January 14, 2027. While the regulation enters into force on January 15, 2026, the provisions regarding its implementation will be executed by the Minister of Treasury and Finance.

In this context, a daily meal fee will be collected from public personnel benefiting from the lunch service in 2026, based on the amounts included in the list, between 15/1/2026 and 14/1/2027.

News Source: 12punto