Türkiye Beginning 2026: Rising Costs and Economic Pressure

Every new year in Turkiye is usually associated with price changes and increases, especially in the last decade as the country has fallen into a deep inflation spiral and has been experiencing harsh economic crises. Prices of goods and services are increasing drastically, yet the minimum wage and the retirement salary have stayed relatively little, which is attracting a lot of reaction.

In November 2025, TÜİK announced that the monthly inflation rate was 32,87%; which was criticized by many to be fake. To support these claims, ENAG –Inflation Research Group– announced the rate to be around 60% instead. According to data released by TÜİK, annual inflation increased by 30.89 percent in December. Moreover, based on these rates, the revaluation rate to be applied in the 2026 increments was determined to be 25.49%.

The most important elements of these price changes would be about the wages, tax fees and other products.

To start with the fees, the IMEI registration fee, which is applied to mobile phones brought from abroad to be registered for use in Turkiye, was 45,614 TL in 2025. In 2026, it is expected to rise to around 57,245 TL which is around a 25% increase. Additionally, the international departure fee, which is necessary for any citizen traveling abroad, will be rising from 1000 to 1255 TL, experiencing a similar increment in line with the revaluation rate. Similarly, for toll fees, the toll for the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge is increased to 100.4 TL from 80 TL; whereas the Avrasya Tunnel’s daytime tariff became 282 TL instead of the previous 225 TL. As seen, there is a clear rise in the prices of the named fees; many of the taxes had similar rates and consequences as well.

As for the wages, the lowest pension has been set at 18,939 TL, while the minimum wage has come into effect at 28,075.50 TL. During the same period, the salary of members of parliament increased to 273,196 TL. Meanwhile, the pension for retired members of parliament was calculated to be 177,658 TL. These figures showed not only that the wages were not set high enough to ensure welfare but also are increasing the income inequality. It is noted that the minimum wage is not enough to exceed the poverty line for a typical family of 4 with two working parents. The pension rates were expected to have a welfare bracket in addition to the mandatory and necessary increase. It was declared that the figures will just be increased in line with the inflation rate and an additional value would not be added. Again coming back to taxes, this disparity in income levels have also led, together with the revaluation rate, to a change in the income tax brackets. The first bracket was 158,000 TL in 2025; but is expected to change to be around 200,000 TL.

All of these decisions were criticized by the consumer and producer as they are all put into a hard situation. The price increases are continuing to take place and are sparking debates. Taking into consideration all of these increments, fines, tolls, charges, prices; the pressure on the low income households has intensified this year and is leaving a lot less space for them to maneuver their financial decisions wisely.

Edited by: Leyla Hacıoğlu