A New Year of Price Hikes: Taxes, Fees and Penalties Hit Daily Life

A new year begins with higher costs for everyone

Citizens struggling with poverty and rising living costs have entered the new year with yet another wave of price increases. Whether owning a home or a car, selling property, using public transport, making phone calls or simply going about daily life, almost everyone will now pay higher taxes, fees and penalties. These additional burdens on household budgets are once again drawing criticism, with claims that public revenues are being channeled into luxury government spending.

The revaluation rate for this year has been set at 25.49 percent. While some taxes were increased at a lower rate of 18.95 percent, authorities chose not to use their discretion to reduce hikes in areas such as bridges and highways.

Homeowners face heavier tax burdens

While tenants continue to struggle with soaring rents, homeowners are also bracing for a difficult year. Property tax payments will effectively double, placing a significant financial burden on those who own homes. From 2026 onward, property taxes will no longer be increased by half of the revaluation rate but by the full rate.

Rising assessed property values are also pushing title deed fees sharply higher, in some cases by nearly twofold. Penalties related to underpaid fees in property sales have been increased fourfold as of this year. Landlords, meanwhile, will pay more in both taxes and additional charges.

The new year has arrived with tax hikes reaching up to 25 percent.

Car owners feel the pressure

Vehicle owners are among those most affected. Motor Vehicle Tax payments have increased by 18.95 percent, while inspection fees, maintenance costs, insurance and comprehensive coverage premiums have also risen sharply. Notary services, declarations submitted to public institutions, passport and driver’s license applications, identity card procedures and international travel-related charges have all seen increases ranging between 19 percent and 25.49 percent.

Traffic fines set to climb further

A draft bill proposing sweeping changes to the Traffic Law, aimed at significantly increasing penalties, is currently awaiting approval. Even without new legislation, existing traffic fines have already been raised by 25.49 percent in line with the revaluation rate.

As a result, running a red light or receiving the lowest-speed radar fine now costs 2,721 lira. Incorrect parking carries a fine of 1,246 lira, while driving under the influence results in a penalty of 11,632 lira.

Bridge guarantees deepen the burden on public finances

Guarantees given for major bridge projects continue to weigh heavily on public finances. In 2026, drivers crossing the Osmangazi Bridge will pay 995 lira, while the Treasury will cover a difference of 1,435 lira per vehicle, bringing the guaranteed amount paid to operators to 2,430 lira.

For the Çanakkale Bridge, the driver’s fee will also be 995 lira, with an additional 76 lira covered by the Treasury, raising the total to 1,071 lira.

Healthcare costs also on the rise

The wave of price hikes has reached healthcare services as well. Participation fees covering medical examinations and prescriptions have been increased at public and foundation university hospitals, as well as training and research hospitals, from 20 lira to 26 lira. In private healthcare institutions, the participation fee has risen from 50 lira to 60 lira.

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