Your rights at an EV charging station in Türkiye: prices, idle fees and how to complain (2026)

The basis: the Charging Service Regulation and its 2026 amendment

The rules for public charging in Türkiye are set out in the Charging Service Regulation (Şarj Hizmeti Yönetmeliği) of EPDK, the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (Official Gazette 02.04.2022, no. 31797). The regulation was strengthened by an amendment published on 23 March 2026 (Official Gazette no. 33202), which entered into force on the day of publication. The 6-month transition period given to operators for the call centre and live availability ended in September 2026.

Some of the rules below have existed since 2022; the 2026 amendment rewrote or extended them.

Price and fee rules

• Prices are applied only per TL/kWh. No separate charge may be requested "under any name whatsoever", such as for connecting, starting a session or using equipment (art. 25/1).
• The price, reservation fee and idle (blocking) fee are announced at the same time on the operator's website, in its app and at the station (art. 25/2).
• Prices may differ between AC, DC and mobile stations; time-of-day or location discounts are applied once announced. For time-based discounts, the price of the time slot in which charging started applies (art. 25/4, 25/12).
• At a public station, the price for non-members may not exceed the lowest member price by more than 25%, and no membership fee may be charged (art. 25/7).
• If a reservation fee was taken, it is refunded after the charging service has been received (art. 25/9).
• An idle fee (for not leaving once charging is complete) may only be charged if the operator has notified you that charging is complete (art. 25/10).
• On DC charging, if the battery is at 85% or above, the operator may end the session provided it informs you in advance (art. 25/11). This is an option for the operator, not an obligation.

Service and information rights

• The operator runs a call centre providing uninterrupted service 24/7 (art. 28/1).
• Whether or not you are a member, ad hoc charging is offered on the website or in the app; the availability and price of stations and connectors are shown live (art. 28/1).
• Every public station has at least one payment method that all users can use (art. 21/6). Since 1 July 2026, on motorways at least one of the 50 kW+ DC units at newly added stations offers bank/credit card or contactless payment, with no extra fee (art. 21/8).
• The energy transferred to the car is measured with a legal measuring instrument and must be visible to the user (art. 21/7). The energy transferred (kWh) is also shown on the invoice or the document replacing it (art. 25/1).
• Where smart charging is used, the operator must report the power applied at that moment (art. 19/5). The power written on the unit is its maximum capacity; real power depends on your car, battery level and temperature.
• The complaint/reporting channel and the unit's type and power must be written on or near the unit (art. 23/5).

If you were charged wrongly or too much: step by step

• 1. Gather evidence: the receipt or a screenshot of the transaction in the app, the start and end time of the charge and, if possible, the battery percentage at start and end. In Şarj Rehberim you can create a one-page dispute summary from a Charging Log entry.
• 2. Contact the operator first: 24/7 call centre, app or website. Get a reference number. The operator must resolve the complaint and inform you within 15 working days (art. 28/1).
• 3. If that does not work, use the official channels: you can apply to EPDK via CİMER (cimer.gov.tr) or the EPDK Application System (basvuru.epdk.gov.tr). These services are in Turkish.
• 4. For refunds and compensation, the Consumer Arbitration Committee (Tüketici Hakem Heyeti): in 2026, disputes below 186,000 TL are filed free of charge through the "Tüketici Hakem Heyetlerine Başvuru" service on e-Devlet.
• 5. If you paid by card, you can also dispute it with your bank: for a credit card, a reasoned objection is made within 10 days of the statement's payment due date, and the bank must reply within 20 days (Law no. 5464, art. 11).

Avoiding blocking and idle fees

• Before you start charging, check the network's idle fee and grace period in the app or at the station; this information must be announced.
• Keep notifications on in the network's app so you do not miss the message that charging is complete. The idle fee can only start after that notification.
• If you made a reservation, be at the station on time; the reservation fee is refunded after charging.

Sources (as of 21 October 2026): Official Gazette 23.03.2026, no. 33202 (amendment, Turkish) · Charging Service Regulation (current text, mevzuat.gov.tr, Turkish) · EPDK energy transition FAQ (Turkish) · Ministry of Trade: consumer arbitration committees (Turkish)

Frequently asked questions

Can a charging station charge a connection or start-up fee?

No. Under the regulation, prices are applied only per TL/kWh; no separate charge may be requested under any name, such as for connecting, starting a session or using equipment.

When can an idle (blocking) fee be charged?

An idle fee may only be charged after the operator has notified the user that charging is complete, and the amount must be announced in advance.

Can DC charging be stopped at 85%?

Yes. If the battery is at 85% or above, the operator may end DC charging provided it informs you in advance. This is an option; not every station has to apply it.

Where do I complain if I was overcharged?

First contact the operator's 24/7 call centre or app and get a reference number; the operator must resolve it within 15 working days. If that fails, apply via CİMER or the EPDK Application System, and to the Consumer Arbitration Committee for a refund.

Can I charge without becoming a member?

Yes. Operators must offer ad hoc charging to all users, members or not, via their website or app; the non-member price may not exceed the lowest member price by more than 25%.