Turkish Trade Monitor – August 2026
August 2026 brought a broad set of legal and regulatory developments relevant to foreign businesses operating in, selling into, sourcing from or considering investment in Türkiye.
The month was particularly significant for large-scale investment incentives, Türkiye's emerging emissions trading system, artificial intelligence policy, foreign-currency conversion support and manufacturing support programmes. Important sector-specific changes also affected digital marketing, data protection, construction projects, trade defence, preferential origin rules, automotive type approval, food import controls, pharmaceutical pricing and end-of-life tyre management.
For international businesses, the common theme is clear: regulatory planning in Türkiye increasingly requires coordination between market-entry strategy, product compliance, investment incentives, customs, data protection and operational implementation.
Project-Based Investment Incentives Revised for Large-Scale and Technology Investments
On 9 August 2026, Presidential Decision No. 11572 amended Türkiye's project-based state aid regime for investments.
The amendments integrate the Technology-Oriented Industry Move Programme into the project-based incentive system. The minimum fixed investment threshold is TRY 100 million for investments within that programme; for other projects, the minimum fixed investment amount or R&D expenditure is TRY 2 billion.
For complete new investment projects with a minimum fixed investment amount of TRY 5 billion, the Minister may enter into a private-law investment project agreement with qualifying foreign investors or their wholly owned subsidiaries. The Ministry of Industry and Technology is responsible for monitoring and coordination, while other permits remain subject to applicable legislation.
The TRY 5 billion mechanism is not a substitute for individual permits, licences or sector-specific approvals. Investors should assess eligibility, structure, location, capital expenditure, technology content and timetable at an early stage.
Türkiye Publishes Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for 2026–2030
Türkiye's Artificial Intelligence Action Plan for 2026–2030 was published through Presidential Circular No. 2026/9 on 18 August 2026.
The Plan focuses on computing capacity, data infrastructure, sector-specific AI adoption, skilled workforce development and private investment. Its headline targets include at least 1 GW of AI and data-centre capacity and at least USD 10 billion of predominantly private-sector investment by 2030, alongside AI Growth Zones, regional centres of excellence and new funding mechanisms.
The Plan is primarily a policy and investment roadmap rather than a standalone compliance regulation, but it signals the direction of future policy on trusted AI, data governance, model transparency and responsible deployment.
Companies considering Türkiye should monitor the implementation measures that follow, particularly incentives, investment programmes, regulatory testing mechanisms, data infrastructure projects and sector-specific rules.
Türkiye Approves Intergovernmental Agreement with Saudi Arabia on Renewable Energy Projects
On 28 August 2026, Presidential Decision No. 11670 approved the Intergovernmental Agreement between Türkiye and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia concerning renewable energy power plant projects.
The Agreement was signed in Riyadh on 3 February 2026 and covers designated authorities, developers, investment agreements, project companies, power purchase agreements, facilitation measures, land rights, incentives, taxation, foreign exchange, accounting and dispute resolution.
The framework is broader than a general energy-cooperation memorandum and is designed around the legal and commercial structure of the covered renewable energy investments.
International parties should review project-specific documents alongside the intergovernmental framework, including land rights, tax treatment, project-company structure, foreign exchange, security packages and dispute resolution.
Türkiye Establishes Its Emissions Trading System Regulatory Framework
The Türkiye Emissions Trading System Regulation was published on 27 August 2026 and establishes the core structure for Türkiye's domestic carbon market.
It addresses emission permits, monitoring, reporting and verification, allowance allocation and trading, free allocation and surrender obligations. The ETS generally covers Category B and Category C installations carrying out activities listed in Annex 1, including installations with annual emissions above 50,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent, subject to detailed scope rules.
Covered businesses must operate under approved monitoring arrangements. Annual emissions and activity levels must generally be reported to the Presidency of Climate Change by 30 April for the preceding calendar year, after verification. Pilot businesses must submit their first Monitoring Methodology Plan within two months of entry into force, pointing to 27 October 2026 unless the period is extended.
Manufacturers should map facility boundaries, emissions sources, measurement systems, production data, responsibilities and verification readiness now. The Turkish ETS should also be assessed together with the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for exports of covered goods.
End-of-Life Tyre Collection and Reporting Rules Revised
Türkiye amended the Regulation on the Control of End-of-Life Tyres on 13 August 2026.
The amendments revise the collection and management structure and introduce or update authorised organisations and authorised collectors. Tyre producers, licensed recovery facilities and certain pyrolysis facilities may participate subject to the Regulation, while relevant collection activities require Ministry authorisation.
The framework strengthens reporting and digital tracking. Authorised collectors must report quantities, and transport and waste-management processes are increasingly tied to Ministry online systems. Capacity and operational rules also apply to recovery and pyrolysis facilities collecting tyres for their own processing.
Foreign businesses should review producer, collection, transportation, reporting and contractor-management obligations, and reflect divided responsibility in distributor, logistics and service-provider contracts.
Foreign-Currency Conversion Support Extended and Reworked
On 1 August 2026, the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye amended the support mechanism for converting qualifying foreign-sourced foreign currency into Turkish lira.
The temporary enhanced conversion support rate of 3% was extended until 31 January 2027. From 1 October 2026, the previous commitment not to purchase foreign currency is replaced by a foreign-exchange position ratio condition to be determined by the Central Bank.
Additional changes concern support limits, intermediary exporters and suppliers, bank commissions, inspections and sanctions for false declarations or improper use.
The support should be reviewed with treasury structure, import payments, intercompany flows and foreign-exchange exposure. Groups should also assess the new enforcement framework where control relationships may affect improper-use consequences.
Employment Protection Support Programme Amended for the Second 2026 Period
The Employment Protection Support Programme Regulation was amended on 28 August 2026. It supports manufacturing businesses that maintain employment levels during the relevant reference and protection periods.
For the second 2026 period, KOSGEB lists financing support for SMEs and large enterprises in manufacturing. Eligibility is linked to maintaining the average monthly premium-day level recorded during January–June 2026 throughout the July–December 2026 protection period.
The application window runs from 1 September to 31 October 2026. The programme provides differentiated credit limits and may provide more favourable limits where specified financial or R&D capability criteria are satisfied.
Eligibility depends on the Turkish entity, employment data, manufacturing classification and programme conditions. Restructuring, workforce reductions or significant recruitment should be assessed before applying.
August Brings New Digital Marketing Enforcement and a Longer Loyalty Card Compliance Period
August produced connected developments affecting consumer-facing businesses, retailers and companies using digital marketing in Türkiye.
Amendments to the Regulation on Commercial Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices, published on 1 July 2026, became effective on 1 August 2026. They address targeted and AI-generated advertising, influencer marketing, discount advertising, consumer reviews and profiling, including restrictions on certain data-based targeting involving children.
On 10 August, the Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority published a decision summary concerning unauthorised marketing calls and SMS messages. Board Decision No. 2026/1183 concerned contact details received through another person or referral mechanism and imposed a TRY 1 million administrative fine. On 13 August, Decision No. 2026/1491 extended the loyalty-card compliance period to 28 February 2027 and requires appropriate verification where another person uses a member's telephone or loyalty-card number.
Marketing teams should review targeting logic, AI disclosures, referral programmes, CRM lead sources and consent records. Loyalty programmes should be technically assessed before February 2027, including how data enters the system and how user authority is verified.
Türkiye Moves Architectural and Engineering Projects Toward BIM and Electronic Submission
Two regulations published on 5 August 2026 introduce a staged digital framework for architectural and engineering projects submitted with building-permit applications.
The digital preparation framework covers project drawings, models, calculations and reports and introduces PDF/A documentation, BIM-based three-dimensional models, IFC-format delivery and relevant standards. It generally applies to new buildings in areas with an implementation zoning plan, subject to specified exclusions.
A separate regulation establishes future electronic delivery, review, approval and storage through the Electronic Project Management System, e-PYS. Digital preparation requirements enter into force on 1 September 2027; electronic delivery and management enter into force on 1 September 2028.
Long-cycle projects should address BIM standards, file formats, model ownership, revisions, approval workflows and digital deliverables in design-service agreements now.
Türkiye Announces Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Measures Due to Expire in 2027
The Ministry of Trade published Communiqué No. 2026/28 on 14 August 2026 concerning existing anti-dumping and countervailing measures scheduled to expire during the first half of 2027.
The measures expire on the dates in the annex unless an expiry review is initiated under Turkish trade-defence legislation. Domestic producers that want a measure to remain in force should consider requesting a final review within the applicable timetable.
For foreign exporters, expiry, continuation or review can directly affect landed cost and market access into Türkiye.
Product description, tariff classification, country of origin, exporter status and the existing measure should be matched against the Communiqué. Businesses planning 2027 market entry should review trade-defence exposure as part of customs and pricing strategy.
Preferential Origin Rules Issued for Türkiye–Maldives Trade
On 24 August 2026, Türkiye published the Regulation governing preferential origin under the Preferential Trade Agreement between Türkiye and the Maldives.
It applies the agreement's origin protocol and addresses wholly obtained products, sufficient working or processing, tolerance, insufficient processing, bilateral cumulation, territorial requirements and the prohibition on certain duty drawback or exemption arrangements.
Qualifying goods may benefit from preferential treatment on presentation of an EUR.1 Movement Certificate, subject to the detailed exceptions. The Regulation was published on 24 August but applies with effect from 1 August 2026.
Exporters should verify production, non-originating materials, cumulation and supporting documents. Contracts should allocate responsibility for origin documentation and the financial consequences of an incorrect claim.
Food Import Control Network Expanded
A joint amendment by the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry was published on 12 August 2026 concerning official controls on certain products entering Türkiye.
It adds the Denizli Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry to the list of provincial authorities authorised to carry out official controls under the import-control framework. The wider framework covers specified food, feed, plant-protection-related products and food-contact materials depending on the product list and import regime.
The change does not create a new general product-compliance regime; it changes the network of competent authorities through which relevant import controls may be conducted.
Port or customs selection can affect document flows, inspection timing and logistics. The import model should be planned with the Turkish importer, customs broker and regulatory representative where applicable.
Automotive Type Approval Rules Amended for Category O Trailers
Türkiye amended the Regulation on Type Approval and Market Surveillance of Motor Vehicles and Trailers, based on the EU/2018/858 framework, on 22 August 2026.
The amendment concerns Category O trailers under national type approvals. It adds periods to relevant certificate-of-conformity dates for the sale and registration of vehicles whose type approval lost validity because of subsequent mandatory technical legislation.
For Category O vehicles under national type approvals, the additional period is 12 months for complete vehicles and 18 months for incomplete vehicles.
Type approval should be reviewed with production date, certificate-of-conformity status, registration timetable and technical legislation. Technical compliance alone does not automatically establish registrability.
Türkiye Reissues the Pricing Framework for Medicinal Products
A new Communiqué on the Pricing of Medicinal Products was published and entered into force on 29 August 2026.
It sets implementation rules for the pricing framework established by the Presidential Decision of 11 March 2026, covering actual and benchmark source prices, first-equivalent pricing, company sale prices, special-condition products, price lists and applications, the Price Evaluation Commission, profit margins and applicant responsibilities.
Applications are generally electronic and the Communiqué replaces the previous 2017 pricing communiqué. For products licensed before 13 March 2026 but entering the market afterwards, where the first licensed equivalent did not enter during the first six months, the relevant transition date is 13 September 2026.
The rules affect documentation, source-price strategy, equivalent-product pricing and application timing. Companies should identify products affected by 13 September and assess pricing with market-entry, reimbursement, distributor economics and portfolio management.