Turkish Trade Monitor: February 2026

Economic Data & Statistics

Introduction of New CPI Methodology

TÜİK released January inflation data under its new CPI methodology (rebased from 2003 to 2025, with revised basket categories and updated weights). Annual CPI eased to 30.65% (down from 30.89% in December)—the lowest level since November 2021. However, monthly inflation reached a 12-month peak at 4.84%, driven by food prices (+31.69% YoY) and seasonal adjustments.

TTL INSIGHT The methodology change complicates year-on-year comparisons. For contract indexation, ensure you use official TÜİK releases and clarify which base year applies in your legal agreements. The high monthly reading signals continued price pressures despite the headline improvement.

Economic Data & Statistics

Central Bank Rate Unchanged at 37%

The CBRT’s policy rate remains at 37.00% following the January 22 decision. In the February 12 Inflation Report, the Central Bank maintained its year-end forecast range at 13-19%, with a 16% interim target.

TTL INSIGHT Markets expect continued gradual rate cuts through 2026, potentially reaching 28% by year-end. We recommend factoring this downward trend into your long-term financing and investment planning.

Regulatory Updates

HSK Consolidates Istanbul Commercial Courts

HSK Decision No. 282 (February 18, 2026) centralizes Istanbul’s commercial court structure:

Merged Courts: Bakırköy, Istanbul Anadolu, and Küçükçekmece Commercial Courts are merged into the Istanbul Commercial Courts.
Jurisdiction: The new jurisdiction covers the entire Istanbul province.
Pending Cases: All ongoing cases will be transferred to the centralized Istanbul Commercial Courts.

TTL INSIGHT Commercial litigation in Istanbul is now centralized. Update your internal court filing procedures and expect potential administrative delays during the case transfer period. Verify specific venue requirements for all new filings.

Regulatory Updates

International Health Services Cooperation Regulation

A new regulation establishes a cooperation framework between the Ministry of Health and state universities for international health services:

Protocol Duration: Maximum 3 years.
Reporting: All changes must be notified via EKİP and the HealthTürkiye Portal.
Advance Payments: A minimum 60% advance payment is now mandatory for uninsured international patients.
Data Compliance: Monthly SİNA (Health Intelligence System) submissions are mandatory.

TTL INSIGHT Healthcare investors and medical tourism operators should immediately review existing cooperation agreements for compliance. The 60% advance payment requirement will significantly affect cash flow planning for international patient services.

Employment Law

Admissibility of Secret Recordings in Mobbing Cases

The Court of Appeals (Yargıtay) ruled that an employee who secretly recorded a face-to-face meeting with their manager to prove mobbing did not commit a criminal offense. The ruling emphasized that the recording was work-related, involved only the two parties, and did not violate third-party privacy.

TTL INSIGHT While this provides protection for victims of harassment, it is highly situational. The protection applies only to limited, two-party, work-related conversations used as evidence when no other means are available.

Employment Law

Invalidity of Blanket Salary Confidentiality

The Court ruled that dismissal for violating salary confidentiality was an invalid termination, holding that confidentiality clauses cannot override the right to monitor pay equity and workplace equality.

TTL INSIGHT Review your employment contracts—blanket salary secrecy clauses may not survive legal challenges if they are used to prevent employees from verifying equal pay for equal work.

Data Privacy (KVKK)

KVKK Warns Public Institutions on Messaging Apps

The KVKK issued a formal warning against using WhatsApp and similar foreign-hosted applications for official government communications and document sharing.

Critique: Classified or critical data must not be shared via these channels.
Requirement: Locally-hosted and accredited secure applications must be prioritized.

TTL INSIGHT Government contractors and entities collaborating with public institutions should immediately review their communication protocols. Moving sensitive professional data to secure, domestic alternatives is now a regulatory necessity to avoid "unauthorized cross-border data transfer" risks.

Data Privacy (KVKK)

Mandatory Verification for Loyalty Cards

KVKK Decision No. 2026/266 (February 11, 2026) mandates secondary verification for loyalty card use to prevent unauthorized identity use at checkouts.

Methods: SMS verification, Barcode/QR scanning, physical card presentation, or PIN.

TTL INSIGHT Retailers must implement these verification systems by August 2026. Failure to comply will result in administrative fines under KVKK Article 18. Budgeting for these system upgrades should begin in Q1.

Deadline: 6 months from publication.