TÜRSAB License Turkey 2026: Travel Agency Setup Guide

Overview of Establishing a Travel Agency and TÜRSAB Licensing in Turkey (2026)

Tourism is one of the most lucrative and expanding economic sectors in the Republic of Turkey. Under Statutory Law No. 1618 (Travel Agencies and Association of Travel Agencies Law), any commercial enterprise operating travel, inbound/outbound tours, flight ticketing, or hotel booking services must obtain an official Operating License (İşletme Belgesi) from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and mandatory membership in the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB).

This definitive 2026 guide outlines the statutory requirements for establishing a tourism company in Turkey, TÜRSAB license classifications (Group A, B, C), official fees, bank guarantees, and end-to-end inspection procedures.

2026 TÜRSAB License Classifications & Operating Scope

License Group	Authorized Scope of Tourism Activities	Target Business Models	Statutory Bank Guarantee (Teminat)
Group A (A Grubu)	Comprehensive Authority: Inbound & outbound international tours, flight tickets, hotel reservations, transfers, yacht charters, and VIP tourism	International travel agencies, DMC tour operators, full-service tourism firms	7,000 TRY (Unconditional Bank Guarantee Letter)
Group B (B Grubu)	International/domestic flight ticketing (IATA agents) and retailing tours arranged exclusively by Group A agencies	Dedicated ticketing offices and flight booking sub-agencies	6,000 TRY
Group C (C Grubu)	Domestic sightseeing tours arranged exclusively for Turkish residents and citizens	Domestic regional tour organizers	5,000 TRY

2026 Official Fees and Statutory Costs

TÜRSAB Member Registration Fee (Giriş Ödentisi): A one-time official entrance fee set at 649,278.98 TRY for 2026 (applicable uniformly to Groups A, B, and C).
Ministry Operating License Fee (İşletme Belgesi): 44,000 TRY.
TÜRSAB Annual Dues (Yıllık Aidat): 32,463.96 TRY.
Statutory Bank Guarantee (Banka Teminat Mektubu): Indefinite unconditional bank guarantee letter issued in favor of the Ministry.

Core Requirements for TÜRSAB License Issuance

1. Turkish Corporate Formation (Ltd. Şti. or A.Ş.): Incorporating a limited liability or joint-stock company with explicit travel agency objectives registered in its Articles of Association.

2. Agency Title Approval (Acenta Unvanı): Reserving a unique brand name with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (valid for 30 days).

3. Physical Commercial Office: An independent commercial office with branded signage and compliance with fire and municipal standards.

4. Qualified Personnel Requirements: Employing a certified Tourism Information Officer (Enformasyon Memuru), a licensed professional tour guide (Kokartlı Rehber), or a tourism management graduate.