Newsletters
Türkiye’s central bank has announced a major change to the way businesses pay fees on card transactions.
The new regulation, published on Thursday, separates the commission rates applied to credit and debit card purchases and reduces the cost for merchants on debit card transactions.
The change will take effect on Nov. 1 and is part of the government’s efforts to control inflation and ease financial pressure on businesses.
Previously, Türkiye applied a flat 3.56% point of sale (POS) commission rate for both credit and debit card transactions.
Under the new rules:
The central bank explained that POS commissions cover the cost of operating card payment systems. Credit cards involve additional funding costs because they offer consumers access to credit, which is why their rate remains higher.
The new rates apply not only to debit cards but also to prepaid cards and account-to-account business payments.
This means a wider range of cashless transactions will benefit from lower fees, helping merchants save money on everyday operations.
Lower POS commissions are expected to reduce costs for small shops, cafes, and restaurants that process a large number of debit card transactions every day.
Forbes Türkiye suggested that the move lowers the financial burden of accepting card payments.
Shorter blocked fund periods will also improve cash flow for merchants, giving them faster access to their revenue and helping those with tight operating margins.
The announcement follows last week’s 250 basis point cut in Türkiye’s key interest rate to 40.5%.
The rate change also triggered a reduction in credit card interest rates, effective Oct. 1.
According to the statement published in the Official Gazette:
Economists see these steps as part of a broader disinflation strategy that aims to slow domestic consumption and stabilize prices.
For foreigners living in Türkiye, this change could make debit card payments more common, as merchants may prefer them due to lower fees.
Prepaid cards, which are popular with students and travelers, will also benefit from the new rule.
Small business owners, including expats running cafes, bars, or boutique hotels, are likely to notice lower monthly expenses and better liquidity from faster payment settlements.
2 min read
