Consumer Law in Turkey

Consumer law disputes are transactions that are found in our lives almost every day. From car hire to hotel accommodation and services utilised, almost everything a foreigner individual experiences in Turkey may fall within the scope of consumer law. In addition, according to Turkish law, commercial companies can also be positioned as consumers in many of their purchases. As Viridis Legal Partners, your English-speaking lawyers in Turkey, we are at your side in the legal resolution and compensation of all the problems you face as a consumer.

What Is Consumer Law In Turkey?

Consumer Law is regulated by Law No. 6502 on the Protection of Consumers in Turkey. In order to determine what consumer law is, in other words, who is covered by consumer law and what kind of cases it includes, it is useful first to know what the concept of the consumer is.

What Is Consumer Under Turkish Law?

A consumer is a natural or legal person acting for non-commercial or non-professional purposes. As defined in Law No. 6502, it is a person who purchases a ready-made good or service and uses or consumes it in her/his daily life. The consumer is the person who benefits from the goods or services for personal needs, regardless of whether it is a real or legal entity.

In terms of the protection of consumers in terms of the protection of the law on consumer protection; has been established within the framework of the rights to meet basic needs, to feel security and trust, to choose goods and services freely, to obtain information, to be informed and educated, to be compensated, to be represented and to have a healthy environment.

What Is Consumer Transaction Under Turkish Law

For a transaction to be accepted as a consumer transaction, one of the parties to the legal relationship must be a consumer and the other party must be a seller, service provider or a real or legal person acting on their behalf.

In light of the information given, Consumer Law can be defined as the branch of law that regulates the issues related to protecting the health, safety and economic interests of consumers in accordance with the public interest, enlightening, educating, compensating their damages, taking measures to protect them from environmental hazards, encouraging consumers’ self-protective initiatives and establishing policies in this regard.

What is a Consumer Contract Under Turkish Law?

A consumer contract, as stated above under the heading of a consumer transaction, can be defined as an accelerated contract in which the consumer pays a price measurable in money in return for the provision of a good or service to the consumer party. What is mandatory for a consumer contract is that there is a seller or provider party acting for commercial or professional purposes on one side of the consumer contract, and on the other side there is a consumer acting for a non-commercial or non-professional purpose, that is, to use or consume the purchased goods for her/his own needs.

Many contracts made by individuals in their daily lives remain in the field of consumer law, also purchases and service purchases made by companies are mostly considered within the scope of consumer contracts as well. All kinds of installment or distance sales contracts, safekeeping contracts, treatment contracts, transportation contracts, travel contracts, insurance contracts, private teaching contracts, all kinds of subscription contracts such as mobile phone subscription contracts, private education contracts, holiday and tour contracts, umrah tour contract, natural gas sales contract can be considered as examples of consumer contracts.

Why Do Foreigners Need A Consumer Law Attorney In Turkey?

Whether facing contractual disputes, product defects, or violations of consumer rights, foreigners may require legal representation to ensure their rights are protected under Turkish Consumer Law. From resolving disputes and enforcing consumer rights to ensuring legal compliance and cultural differences, consumer law services play an essential role in assisting foreigners in Turkey to guide the complexness of the legal system and safeguard their interests in commercial dealings.

As Viridis Legal Partners, with our profound team of consumer law attorneys in Istanbul, we are ready to assist our clients and provide them with legal advice, assistance and representation in consumer law.