Competition and Antitrust Lawyer in Istanbul, Turkey

What Is Competition Law in Türkiye?

Turkish competition law is designed to protect the competitive process in markets for goods and services. It regulates conduct that may restrict, distort, or prevent competition and addresses the abuse of market power and certain mergers and acquisitions.

​

The Turkish Competition Authority (Rekabet Kurumu) and the Competition Board are central to enforcement of the competition regime. The Authority provides access to legislation, decisions, guidelines, merger-and-acquisition materials, investigations, and other competition-law resources through its official website. Businesses and their advisers can also consult the Competition Authority's official resources when assessing current regulatory developments.

 

The framework broadly covers four interconnected areas:

​

• Anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices

• Abuse of dominant position

• Merger and acquisition control

• Competition investigations, enforcement and remedies

​

It also includes mechanisms concerning exemptions, commitments, settlement and active cooperation in appropriate circumstances.

​

What Is Turkish Antitrust Law?

"Antitrust law" is commonly used internationally to describe rules designed to prevent businesses from harming competition through coordinated conduct or misuse of market power.

 

In Türkiye, the expression competition law is more commonly used in legislation and regulatory practice. The underlying principles nevertheless correspond closely to what international businesses generally understand as antitrust law.

​

For example, businesses may face competition-law questions when competitors:

​

• Agree on prices or commercial terms

• Divide customers, territories or markets

• Coordinate bids in tenders

• Exchange competitively sensitive information

• Restrict output or supply

• Coordinate commercial strategies

• Agree to boycott another business

• Impose certain restrictive distribution arrangements

• Use market power in ways that may constitute an abuse of dominance

 

The legal assessment depends on the facts, market structure, economic effects and applicable rules. Not every commercial restriction is automatically unlawful, and not every company with a large market share is automatically dominant.

 

That distinction makes early legal assessment particularly important.

​

Main Areas of Turkish Competition Law

​

Anti-Competitive Agreements and Concerted Practices

Article 4 of Law No. 4054 is one of the central provisions of Turkish competition law. It addresses agreements, concerted practices and decisions of associations of undertakings that have the object or effect of preventing, distorting or restricting competition.

​

Competition-law risks can arise from both formal written agreements and less formal coordination.

​

Examples may include:

​

• Price-fixing arrangements

• Market-sharing agreements

• Customer allocation

• Territorial allocation

• Bid-rigging

• Output restrictions

• Certain resale-price arrangements

• Exchange of strategically sensitive information

• Coordination through trade associations

 

A written contract is not necessary in every competition-law scenario. Communication, conduct and surrounding circumstances may also become relevant.

 

Businesses should therefore consider competition law when communicating with competitors, participating in industry associations, preparing tenders, negotiating distribution arrangements or exchanging market information.

​

Cartels and Bid-Rigging

Cartels are among the most serious competition concerns because coordinated conduct between competitors can directly undermine the competitive process.

Potential cartel conduct may involve:

​

• Fixing prices

• Coordinating discounts

• Allocating customers

• Dividing geographic markets

• Limiting production

• Coordinating tender submissions

• Agreeing which competitor will win a tender

 

The Turkish Competition Authority has developed enforcement and guidance mechanisms directed at detecting and addressing cartel conduct. Its active cooperation and leniency guidance explains the rationale behind cooperation mechanisms intended to assist in detecting cartels.

 

Where a company discovers potentially problematic communications or conduct, the correct response should be considered carefully and promptly. Destroying documents, altering records or attempting to conceal evidence can create additional legal and regulatory risks.

​

Abuse of Dominant Position

Dominance itself is not prohibited under Turkish competition law.

​

The issue is whether a dominant undertaking abuses its position in a manner prohibited by Article 6 of Law No. 4054.

 

Potential examples can include conduct involving:

​

• Unfair purchasing or selling conditions

• Exclusionary pricing practices

• Discriminatory treatment

• Refusal to deal in circumstances where competition law is engaged

• Tying or bundling

• Loyalty-inducing arrangements

• Exclusionary contractual restrictions

• Practices designed to foreclose competitors

 

The analysis is highly fact-specific.

 

Market share may be relevant, but dominance cannot be determined responsibly by looking at a single percentage without examining the relevant market, competitive constraints, entry barriers, buyer power, competitors and other economic factors.

​

Relevant Market Definition

A competition-law assessment frequently begins with identifying the relevant product market and relevant geographic market.

​

For example, a business may appear to have a high share in a narrowly defined product category but face substantial competition when substitutes are properly considered.

 

Relevant questions can include:

​

• What products or services are substitutable?

• How do customers make purchasing decisions?

• What geographic area is commercially relevant?

• Are customers able to switch suppliers?

• Are there meaningful barriers to entry?

• How strong are existing competitors?

• Does technology change the competitive landscape?

 

Market definition is particularly important in merger control and dominance assessments.

​

Vertical Agreements and Distribution Arrangements

Competition law is not limited to agreements between direct competitors.

Businesses can also face competition-law issues in relationships with:

​

• Distributors

• Dealers

• Retailers

• Suppliers

• Franchisees

• Online platforms

• Resellers

• Commercial agents

 

A distribution agreement may contain restrictions concerning territory, customers, online sales, pricing, exclusivity or non-compete obligations.

 

Some restrictions may be capable of exemption or otherwise be permissible depending on their characteristics and the applicable rules. Others can create significant competition concerns.

 

For this reason, competition review should be incorporated into contract drafting rather than treated as an issue only after a regulator or competitor raises a complaint.

​

Information Exchange Between Competitors

Information exchange is an increasingly important competition-law issue.

Competitors may communicate at trade fairs, industry meetings, professional associations, conferences, digital platforms or informal business gatherings. Discussions concerning future pricing, costs, production plans, customers, discounts or commercial strategies can create risks.

​

Businesses should establish clear internal rules concerning:

​

• Competitor communications

• Trade association meetings

• Industry surveys

• Benchmarking exercises

• Market intelligence

• Information received from customers or suppliers

• Communications involving sensitive commercial data

 

A competition lawyer can help distinguish legitimate market intelligence from information exchange that may expose the business to regulatory risk.

​

Turkish Merger and Acquisition Control

Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions may require notification to the Turkish Competition Board before completion.

​

Article 7 of Law No. 4054 addresses mergers and acquisitions that may create or strengthen a dominant position resulting in a significant lessening of effective competition. The notification regime is supplemented by Communiqué No. 2010/4 and related guidelines.

 

The Turkish merger-control regime has been updated several times. In February 2026, the Competition Authority announced significant amendments to the merger-and-acquisition framework, including increases in turnover thresholds. The updated thresholds include a TRY 1 billion individual threshold, TRY 3 billion Türkiye turnover threshold and TRY 9 billion worldwide turnover threshold, subject to the detailed conditions of the applicable legislation.

 

Because thresholds and procedural requirements can change, businesses should not rely on an old transaction checklist when assessing whether a notification is required.

​

Merger Control Legal Services

Our competition lawyers can assist with:

​

• Preliminary merger-control analysis

• Transaction-structure review

• Notification assessments

• Relevant-market analysis

• Turnover calculations

• Preparation and review of notification materials

• Competition-risk assessment

• Regulatory correspondence

• Responses to information requests

• Competition Board proceedings

• Analysis of possible remedies or commitments

• Coordination with foreign counsel in multi-jurisdictional transactions

​

The Competition Authority has also published updated merger-and-acquisition guidelines following the 2026 amendments. Businesses involved in significant transactions should consider the current merger-control legislation and guidelines.

​

Technology Companies and Merger Control

Technology businesses require particular attention in transaction planning.

Türkiye's merger-control framework introduced special provisions concerning technology undertakings, reflecting concerns about acquisitions involving technology businesses and potentially significant competitive effects even where traditional market measurements may not tell the whole story.

​

This is particularly relevant to transactions involving:

​

• Software companies

• Online platforms

• Digital marketplaces

• Fintech businesses

• Artificial intelligence companies

• Data-driven businesses

• Mobile applications

• E-commerce platforms

• Technology start-ups

 

A transaction that appears relatively small from a conventional turnover perspective may nevertheless require detailed competition analysis.

​

Competition Law and Digital Markets in Türkiye

Digital markets have changed the way competition concerns arise.

Traditional indicators such as price, physical distribution and geographic presence may not fully explain competition in markets involving:

​

• Digital platforms

• Search services

• Online marketplaces

• Social media

• App ecosystems

• Digital advertising

• Data-driven services

• Cloud services

• Artificial intelligence

 

The Turkish Competition Authority has expressly recognised that digital transformation creates new challenges for competition-law enforcement and has conducted work concerning competition in digital markets.

 

Digital businesses should therefore consider competition law when designing platform rules, ranking systems, access conditions, exclusivity arrangements, data practices, interoperability policies and commercial agreements.

​

Competition Compliance for Businesses in Turkey

Competition compliance should not begin when an investigation starts.

​

A properly designed compliance programme can help employees and management identify potential issues before they become regulatory problems.

​

Competition Compliance Policies

A competition compliance programme may address:

​

• Communications with competitors

• Pricing discussions

• Tender participation

• Distribution arrangements

• Trade association participation

• Information exchange

• Mergers and acquisitions

• Dominance-related risks

• Internal escalation procedures

• Document retention

• Employee training

​

Policies should be adapted to the company's actual business model rather than copied from a generic template.

​

Competition Training for Employees and Management

Employees who communicate with competitors or negotiate commercial arrangements may encounter competition-law risks without realising it.

​

Training can be particularly useful for:

​

• Sales teams

• Procurement teams

• Senior management

• Marketing personnel

• Business-development teams

• Executives

• Employees attending industry meetings

• Employees participating in tenders

 

Training should focus on realistic situations rather than abstract legal concepts.

​

Competition Review of Commercial Contracts

A competition-law review can be integrated into the contract-drafting process.

​

Depending on the business model, particular attention may be required for:

​

• Exclusivity clauses

• Territorial restrictions

• Customer restrictions

• Non-compete clauses

• Distribution arrangements

• Franchise agreements

• Pricing provisions

• MFN-type provisions

• Rebates and discount structures

• Platform agreements

• Joint purchasing arrangements

 

The purpose is not to prevent businesses from entering into commercially useful contracts. It is to identify and manage competition risks before the agreement is implemented.

​

Competition Investigations in Türkiye

The Competition Authority can investigate suspected violations under the statutory framework.

​

An investigation can have serious operational and reputational consequences even before a final decision is issued.

 

Businesses may be required to provide information and documents and may become subject to regulatory scrutiny concerning their commercial practices.

 

The Competition Authority's official resources include Competition Board decisions and related administrative information, allowing businesses and lawyers to follow enforcement developments.

​

Preliminary Examination and Investigation

Competition matters may develop through different procedural stages.

​

Depending on the circumstances, the Authority may receive a complaint, obtain information, conduct preliminary assessment and proceed to a formal investigation where the legal requirements are met.

 

A business receiving correspondence from the Competition Authority should not treat it as ordinary commercial correspondence.

 

The response should be coordinated carefully because:

​

• Deadlines may apply

• Information supplied to the Authority may become part of the regulatory record

• Inconsistent explanations can create difficulties later

• Relevant documents may need to be preserved

• Different departments may possess relevant information

​

On-Site Investigations

On-site investigations are an important enforcement tool under Turkish competition law.

​

Law No. 4054 gives the Competition Board powers relating to information requests and on-site investigations. Businesses should therefore have an internal response protocol for regulatory inspections.

 

An effective response may include:

​

1. Identifying the officials and legal basis of the inspection.

2. Immediately notifying the designated internal legal team.

3. Preserving potentially relevant electronic and physical records.

4. Ensuring employees understand the importance of cooperating lawfully.

5. Avoiding deletion, alteration or concealment of documents.

6. Keeping an appropriate record of the inspection.

7. Coordinating communications through authorised personnel.

 

Employees should never attempt to obstruct a lawful investigation or destroy potentially relevant evidence.

​

Responding to Information Requests

Information requests should be handled systematically.

​

A company may need to identify:

​

• The precise questions asked

• Relevant business units

• Relevant time periods

• Documents and datasets

• Responsible employees

• Translation requirements

• Confidential information

• Applicable deadlines

 

A competition lawyer can coordinate the legal review and help ensure that the response is accurate, complete and appropriately presented.

​

Settlement and Active Cooperation in Competition Proceedings

Turkish competition law includes mechanisms that can allow certain competition matters to be resolved through procedural cooperation.

​

A settlement mechanism was introduced into the competition-law framework, and the Competition Authority published a Settlement Regulation concerning investigations involving restrictive agreements, concerted practices and abuse of dominant position.

 

There is also an active-cooperation or leniency framework relating particularly to cartel detection.

 

The decision whether to pursue cooperation, settlement or another procedural strategy requires careful assessment of the facts, evidence, timing, potential liability and strategic consequences.

 

It should not be treated as an automatic option simply because a company is under investigation.

​

Competition Law Exemptions

Not every agreement restricting commercial freedom is necessarily prohibited.

Turkish competition law provides mechanisms through which certain agreements or practices may benefit from exemption where the statutory requirements are satisfied.

​

The analysis can involve questions such as:

​

• Does the arrangement improve production or distribution?

• Does it promote technical or economic progress?

• Do consumers receive a fair share of resulting benefits?

• Are the restrictions indispensable?

• Is effective competition substantially eliminated?

 

The fact that an agreement is commercially beneficial does not by itself establish that it qualifies for exemption.

 

Each arrangement must be assessed under the applicable legislation and relevant Competition Board practice.

​

Competition Law and Joint Ventures

Joint ventures can create both legitimate business efficiencies and competition concerns.

​

A joint venture may require analysis of:

​

• The purpose and structure of the venture

• Ownership and control

• Activities of the parent companies

• Relevant markets

• Information exchange

• Exclusivity

• Non-compete obligations

• Coordination between parent companies

• Merger-control requirements

 

The legal assessment should ideally occur before the joint venture agreement is finalised.

​

Competition Law in Public Procurement and Tenders

Competition law can become particularly important where several businesses participate in the same tender.

​

Potential issues include:

​

• Bid coordination

• Cover bidding

• Market allocation

• Exchange of tender information

• Allocation of customers

• Agreements concerning who will submit the winning bid

 

Businesses participating in public or private tenders should maintain clear internal procedures governing contact with competitors.

 

Competition compliance should also be considered alongside applicable public procurement rules and sector-specific regulations.

​

Sector-Specific Competition Issues in Türkiye

Competition law interacts with regulatory regimes across numerous industries.

Particular competition issues may arise in:

​

• Banking and finance

• Insurance

• Telecommunications

• Energy

• Pharmaceuticals

• Healthcare

• Automotive

• Retail

• E-commerce

• Technology

• Transportation

• Aviation

• Media

• Construction

• Food and consumer goods

 

Sector regulation does not necessarily replace competition law. In many situations, businesses must consider both the sector-specific regulator and the Competition Authority.

 

For example, the Information and Communications Technologies Authority has sector-specific responsibilities while expressly recognising the continuing relevance of Law No. 4054 in its competition-related functions.

​

Competition Law Advice for International Companies in Turkey

International groups entering or expanding in Türkiye should assess competition law at both local and group levels.

​

Potential issues include:

​

• Turkish merger notification

• Cross-border acquisitions

• Global distribution arrangements

• International licensing

• Technology transfers

• Information exchange between group entities

• Vertical agreements

• Market-entry arrangements

• Joint ventures

• Competition compliance policies

 

A transaction may be subject to merger control in multiple jurisdictions. The Turkish assessment should therefore be coordinated with the wider transaction timetable.

International businesses should also remember that competition law can apply where conduct or transactions affect Turkish markets, even where some parties are incorporated outside Türkiye.

​

Competition Law Due Diligence

Competition-law due diligence can be an important part of corporate transactions.

​

A buyer may wish to investigate whether the target has:

​

• Existing competition investigations

• Competition-law complaints

• Potentially problematic distribution agreements

• Exclusivity arrangements

• Dominance-related risks

• Competitor communications

• Relevant regulatory correspondence

• Previous Competition Board decisions

• Compliance deficiencies

 

Competition issues discovered after closing can be significantly more difficult and expensive to address.

 

Early due diligence can help identify whether contractual protections, transaction adjustments, regulatory notifications or remediation measures may be appropriate.

​

Competition Litigation and Appeals

Competition matters do not necessarily end with an administrative decision.

Where legally appropriate, businesses may need advice concerning challenges to Competition Board decisions and related judicial proceedings.

​

The legal strategy can involve analysis of:

​

• Procedural legality

• Evidence

• Market definition

• Economic assessment

• Legal qualification of conduct

• Calculation of sanctions

• Procedural rights

• Confidentiality

• Judicial review

 

The appropriate route depends on the decision, procedural stage and applicable law.

​

Competition Law Risk Assessment for Businesses

A practical competition-risk assessment can be structured around several questions.

​

1. What Is the Business Practice?

The first step is to understand what the company is actually doing.

​

2. Who Are the Relevant Competitors?

The identity and commercial relationship of competitors can materially affect the analysis.

​

3. What Is the Relevant Market?

Market definition can determine whether a practice presents meaningful competition concerns.

​

4. Does the Company Have Market Power?

A company should not assume that a large market share automatically means dominance, nor should it assume that a smaller share eliminates all competition-law concerns.

​

5. Is There a Restriction by Object or Effect?

Some forms of conduct are particularly serious because of their nature, while other practices require detailed assessment of their competitive effects.

​

6. Does an Exemption Apply?

Where appropriate, the arrangement should be tested against the applicable exemption rules.

​

7. Is Regulatory Notification Required?

For mergers, acquisitions and certain transactions, notification should be considered before implementation.

​

This structured approach can make competition advice more useful to management because it connects legal analysis directly to the commercial decision.

​

Why Businesses in Istanbul Need Competition Law Advice

Istanbul is a major commercial centre and an important location for Turkish and international businesses.

​

Companies operating in Istanbul may deal with:

​

• Turkish competitors

• International groups

• Distributors

• Suppliers

• Technology platforms

• Financial institutions

• Franchise networks

• Exporters and importers

• Investors

• M&A counterparties

 

Competition issues can therefore arise during ordinary business activity rather than only during large corporate transactions.

 

A competition lawyer can help management recognise potential issues before they become regulatory disputes.

​

Our Turkish Competition and Antitrust Law Services

Kurucuk & Associates advises businesses on a broad range of Turkish competition-law matters, including:

​

Competition Compliance

• Competition compliance programmes

• Internal competition policies

• Employee and management training

• Competition audits

• Contract reviews

• Competitor-contact protocols

• Trade association guidance

​

Antitrust and Restrictive Practices

• Article 4 assessments

• Cartel-risk analysis

• Information-exchange issues

• Distribution arrangements

• Vertical restraints

• Exclusivity

• Pricing practices

• Joint purchasing and cooperation arrangements

​

Dominance and Market Power

• Dominance assessments

• Article 6 risk analysis

• Pricing practices

• Rebates and discounts

• Refusal-to-deal issues

• Bundling and tying

• Market foreclosure concerns

​

Merger Control

• Turkish merger-control analysis

• Notification requirements

• Turnover calculations

• Transaction structuring

• Filing preparation

• Competition Board proceedings

• Regulatory correspondence

• Remedies and commitments

​

Competition Investigations

• Preliminary regulatory advice

• Information requests

• On-site investigation response

• Investigation strategy

• Written submissions

• Hearings

• Settlement assessment

• Active-cooperation considerations

• Competition Board proceedings

​

Competition Disputes

• Administrative proceedings

• Competition-related litigation

• Appeals and judicial review

• Regulatory disputes

• Competition-related commercial disputes

​

Why Choose Kurucuk & Associates for Competition Law in Turkey?

Competition matters frequently involve both legal and commercial considerations.

Our approach is based on understanding the client's business model, the relevant market, the commercial objective and the regulatory issue before recommending a legal strategy.

​

For international clients, this may also involve coordinating Turkish competition-law analysis with lawyers in other jurisdictions.

 

The objective is not simply to identify what may be legally problematic. It is to help the client understand:

​

• What the legal risk is

• Why the risk exists

• How serious it may be

• What options are available

• What should be done immediately

• What compliance measures can prevent recurrence

 

The firm's wider business law services, mergers and acquisitions practice, commercial contract services, and international commercial law practice can also be relevant where competition issues form part of a broader transaction or commercial matter.

​

Frequently Asked Questions About Turkish Competition Law

​

What is the main competition law in Turkey?

The principal competition legislation is Law No. 4054 on the Protection of Competition. It regulates anti-competitive agreements and practices, abuse of dominant position, and certain mergers and acquisitions. The official text of Law No. 4054 is available through the Turkish Competition Authority.

​

Who enforces competition law in Turkey?

Competition law is principally enforced by the Turkish Competition Authority and Competition Board. The Authority publishes legislation, decisions, guidelines, investigations and other regulatory information through its official website.

​

Is competition law only relevant to large companies?

No. Competition law can apply to businesses of different sizes. The legal assessment depends on the conduct, relevant market, transaction and potential effects on competition. Some particularly serious restrictions may create significant legal risk even where the parties are not among the largest businesses in the market.

​

Is being dominant in a market illegal in Turkey?

No. A dominant position is not itself prohibited. Turkish competition law addresses the abuse of dominant position. Whether an undertaking is dominant and whether particular conduct constitutes abuse requires a fact-specific assessment.

​

Do mergers and acquisitions in Turkey require Competition Board approval?

Not every transaction requires notification. Whether a transaction requires approval depends on whether it falls within the applicable merger-control rules and satisfies the relevant notification conditions and thresholds.

​

The merger-control framework was substantially updated in 2026, including changes to turnover thresholds. Businesses should therefore obtain current advice rather than relying on historical thresholds.

​

What are the current Turkish merger-control turnover thresholds?

Following the 2026 amendments, the Competition Authority announced increases including a TRY 1 billion individual threshold, TRY 3 billion Türkiye turnover threshold and TRY 9 billion worldwide turnover threshold, subject to the detailed conditions of Communiqué No. 2010/4. The precise application depends on the structure of the transaction and the undertakings concerned.

​

Can a foreign company be subject to Turkish competition law?

Yes. Turkish competition law can apply to conduct and transactions that affect markets in Türkiye. The fact that a company is incorporated outside Türkiye does not automatically remove Turkish competition-law considerations.

​

What should a company do if the Competition Authority contacts it?

The company should immediately preserve relevant records, identify the precise nature and deadline of the request, and obtain appropriate legal advice. Responses should be accurate, complete and carefully coordinated.

​

What should a company do during an on-site competition investigation?

The company should cooperate lawfully with the authorities, preserve documents, avoid destruction or alteration of evidence, notify its legal team and establish an appropriate internal coordination process. Employees should not attempt to obstruct the investigation.

​

Can a company apply for leniency in a cartel matter?

Turkish competition law provides an active-cooperation framework relating to cartel detection. Whether cooperation is available and whether it is strategically appropriate depends on the circumstances, timing and evidence. The Competition Authority publishes guidance on active cooperation.

​

Does Turkish competition law apply to digital businesses?

Yes. Digital markets are an increasingly important area of competition-law enforcement and policy. The Turkish Competition Authority has published work addressing the competition implications of digital transformation and has conducted investigations and sectoral work involving digital markets.

​

Can a distribution agreement violate Turkish competition law?

It can, depending on its terms and circumstances. Distribution agreements should be reviewed for provisions concerning pricing, territory, customers, exclusivity, online sales, non-compete obligations and other restrictions.

​

Can competitors exchange market information?

Not all information exchange is automatically prohibited, but exchanging competitively sensitive information can create serious competition-law risks depending on the information, context, frequency, purpose and market conditions. Businesses should establish clear procedures for communications with competitors.

​

Is competition law relevant to joint ventures?

Yes. A joint venture may require analysis under both merger-control and restrictive-practice rules, depending on its structure, control, activities and effects.

​

Practical Competition Law Checklist for Turkish Businesses

Businesses can reduce avoidable risks by asking the following questions regularly:

​

• Do employees know what information they must not exchange with competitors?

• Are competitor communications appropriately controlled?

• Are sales and pricing practices periodically reviewed?

• Have distribution agreements been checked for competition risks?

• Are tender procedures designed to prevent inappropriate competitor coordination?

• Are senior employees trained in competition law?

• Are trade association meetings handled carefully?

• Are significant M&A transactions screened for Turkish merger-control requirements?

• Is there a procedure for responding to Competition Authority correspondence?

• Is there an on-site investigation protocol?

• Are potentially relevant records preserved when a regulatory issue arises?

• Are digital-platform practices reviewed from a competition perspective?

• Are competition risks considered when entering new markets or changing commercial strategy?

 

A compliance programme should be proportionate to the company's size, market position and risk profile.

​

Recent Developments in Turkish Competition Law

Turkish competition law continues to develop through legislative amendments, Competition Board decisions, guidelines and enforcement activity.

​

The 2026 merger-control amendments are particularly relevant to businesses involved in acquisitions and restructuring because they changed the notification thresholds and related procedural framework. The Competition Authority subsequently published updated merger-control guidelines in May 2026.

 

Digital markets also remain an important enforcement and policy area. Recent Competition Authority activity demonstrates continued regulatory attention to technology and platform markets.

 

Businesses should therefore treat competition compliance as an ongoing process rather than a one-time legal exercise.

 

For current developments, businesses can consult the Competition Authority's publications and announcements and the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye for authoritative legislative publications.

​

Speak to a Competition and Antitrust Lawyer in Istanbul

Competition-law problems can develop from an ordinary business decision: a conversation with a competitor, a distribution clause, a pricing strategy, an acquisition, a tender, a joint venture or a digital-platform policy.

​

The earlier a potential issue is identified, the more options a business may have to address it.

 

Kurucuk & Associates advises domestic and international clients on Turkish competition law, Turkish antitrust law, merger control, competition compliance, restrictive agreements, abuse of dominance, investigations, regulatory proceedings and competition disputes.

 

If your business is planning a transaction, reviewing a commercial agreement, responding to the Competition Authority, or assessing a potentially sensitive business practice, obtaining competition-law advice at the appropriate stage can help management make informed commercial decisions while reducing avoidable regulatory risk.