The accommodation tax in Türkiye is temporarily 1% until 31 December 2026, instead of the usual 2%. A presidential decision published in the Official Gazette on 1 May 2026 set the lower rate. The tax applies to hotel stays, including many extras sold with the room. For a guest, it matters when you compare prices, because a quoted rate may include it or not.
Last checked: 26 October 2026. We confirmed the decision date and rate in several Turkish news reports. We did not read the Official Gazette text itself, and we found no information on the rate after 31 December 2026.
What the accommodation tax is
The tax started on 1 January 2023 under Article 34 of Expenditure Tax Law No. 6802. It is national, not specific to Istanbul. Turkish reports on the 2026 decision say the standard rate is 2% and that the decision, No. 11263, lowers it to 1% until the end of the year.
The tax base is the accommodation price without VAT. Reports say it covers hotels, motels, holiday villages, guesthouses, apart-hotels and campsites. They also say it covers food, drink, entertainment and pool or spa use sold with the stay, so all-inclusive and half-board packages are still taxed. The operator of the property is responsible for collecting and paying it.
What it means for your hotel bill
Reports say the hotel operator is responsible for collecting the tax, so it normally reaches you through the hotel bill. How it appears depends on the hotel and booking site:
- Some rates show taxes included. Others add them at checkout.
- Check the booking page for a line that says taxes or fees, and compare the final total, not the headline rate.
- Ask at the desk if you cannot find it, before you pay.
At 1%, the tax on a night costing 100 euros before VAT is about 1 euro. The same night at 2% would be about 2 euros. Treat these as examples, not a quote, because VAT and hotel practices vary.
Is the tax a “city tax” for tourists?
No. Some European cities charge a per-person tourist tax. This Turkish tax is a percentage of the price. A separate tourism contribution share exists for tourism businesses, but reports describe it as a business charge, not a guest fee. For other costs, see our Istanbul costs guide.
How to avoid surprises when you book
- Read what the price includes: taxes, breakfast, cleaning and resort fees.
- Compare two sites for the same hotel and the same dates.
- Pay attention to currency. Our cash or card guide explains why paying in lira by card is usually better.
- Keep the receipt. It should show the tax separately if the hotel itemises it.
For choosing an area and a budget, see our where to stay guide and the cheap hotels guide.
What we do not know
We did not find the official text in the Gazette or in a Revenue Administration page. We also found no announcement of what happens after 31 December 2026. Bookings for 2027 may include a different rate. The Revenue Administration publishes the official guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign tourists pay the accommodation tax?
Reports describe it as a tax on the accommodation service, and they do not exclude foreign guests.
Is the accommodation tax the same as VAT?
No. The tax base excludes VAT, so it is a separate charge.
Will the rate go back to 2% in 2027?
We could not confirm. The 1% rate is stated to apply until 31 December 2026.
How we wrote this guide: we compared several Turkish news reports and kept only what they agree on. We use AI tools to help research and draft, and an editor reviews each guide. See our Editorial Policy. Spotted an error? Use the contact page.
