New Rules for Simple Accommodation Facilities and Beach Businesses

What the amendment introduced

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has amended the Regulation on the Certification of Simple Accommodation Facilities and Beach Businesses. The amendment was published in the Official Gazette of 26 August 2026 (issue 33352) and changes the 2021 regulation in three respects.

First, a prohibition on transfer was introduced for the simple accommodation tourism operating certificate. Second, the minimum standards required of simple accommodation facilities were set out for the first time in a dedicated article. Third, compliance with those standards was made expressly mandatory and the inspection power was widened.

The rules bear directly on the guesthouses, aparts and boutique-scale accommodation businesses of Antalya, and on beach businesses along the coast. For our work with commercial businesses, see our Antalya commercial lawyer page.

The certificate can no longer be transferred

The eighth paragraph added to article 7 of the regulation lays down the rule: the simple accommodation tourism operating certificate may not be transferred other than by testamentary disposition or by succession.

This closes a route that was widely used. Previously a change of hands in the business could often be handled through a transfer of the certificate. Under the new rule, a person taking over a business will as a rule need to obtain a certificate in their own name.

The exception is narrow: the certificate may change hands only through testamentary disposition (such as a will) or succession. The transfer of company shares, the sale of the business and leasing fall outside it.

The consequence of breach is stated in the provision: where the contrary is established, the governor's office applies subparagraph (e) of the first paragraph of article 34 of the Tourism Encouragement Law, which governs revocation of a tourism certificate. The result, in other words, is revocation.

This provision entered into force on 26 August 2026, the date of publication.

Minimum standards set out for the first time

The new article 8/A sets out in six subparagraphs the standards required of simple accommodation facilities. These subparagraphs enter into force on 1 November 2026, giving businesses time to comply.

Reception: facilities with a capacity of 25 rooms or more must have a reception desk at the entrance.

Food and drink: where a service is provided, supplies must be kept at an appropriate temperature so as to prevent spoilage during storage and service.

First aid: first-aid supplies must be kept on site and staff certified in first aid must be employed. This is a concrete staffing obligation that has become a condition of certification.

Cleaning: facilities must be cleaned and maintained regularly, with a regular pest-control programme.

Pool safety: lifeguards and a children's pool

The most detailed subparagraph concerns swimming pools and sets out a safety checklist for facilities that have one.

The requirements are: floors and walls finished in suitable, good-quality materials; an overflow channel or an equivalent system around the pool; a filtration and disinfection system keeping the water continuously clean; non-slip flooring around the pool and in sunbathing areas; safety steps; depth markings at every change of level; a sign setting out the pool rules in Turkish and at least two foreign languages; and a changing cubicle and shower.

As to staffing the rule is clear: at least two certified lifeguards, and a sufficient number having regard to the number and size of the pools at the facility.

A separate pool for children, no deeper than fifty centimetres, is also required. The sole exception is a facility that, as a matter of marketing and operating policy and on prior notice to guests, admits only guests aged twelve and over. If such a facility changes that policy, it must build a children's pool before the new policy takes effect.

A distinct regime applies to leisure features not used for swimming, such as slides, waterfalls and wave pools: staff responsible for order and safety must be present whenever the feature is in use, and non-slip flooring, a system keeping the water continuously clean and a bilingual rules sign are required.

Minimum standards for rooms and bathrooms

The regulation itemises the equipment required in bedrooms and bathrooms. Bedrooms must have: a bed meeting the applicable standards, one pillow and pillowcase per person, hand and bath towels, sheets, a quilt or duvet according to the climate, a bedside table or equivalent, general lighting, natural ventilation, a socket, a waste bin, a wardrobe or equivalent, and curtains.

One concrete security rule is introduced: where room doors do not have an electronic lock, an additional locking system must be fitted.

Bathrooms must have a threshold or similar arrangement to contain water, a shower cubicle or curtain, sanitary ware, fittings, a mixer tap, shower equipment, a mirror, a waste bin and soap.

As all of these subparagraphs take effect on 1 November 2026, existing facilities have a compliance window until that date.

Compliance made mandatory and inspection widened

The first paragraph of article 10 of the regulation was also replaced with a plain rule: beach businesses and simple accommodation facilities must meet the standards laid down in this Regulation.

An addition to the second paragraph of the same article provides expressly that inspections may also be carried out by Ministry inspectors. The inspection power is therefore no longer confined to the provincial administration.

Read together, these two changes mean that the minimum standards will be required not only at the certification stage but throughout operation, and subject to central inspection. Both entered into force on the date of publication.

A practical timetable, and where the risk lies

Because the amendment has two commencement dates, businesses face two separate timetables.

In force from 26 August 2026: the prohibition on transferring the certificate, the rule making compliance mandatory, and the inspection power of Ministry inspectors.

Required from 1 November 2026: the minimum standards in article 8/A (reception, food and drink, first aid, cleaning, pools, and room and bathroom equipment).

The greatest legal exposure arises from breach of the transfer prohibition, since the consequence is revocation of the certificate outright. Where a change of hands is planned, the process should be structured around an application for a new certificate rather than a transfer.

The periods allowed for remedying defects found on inspection, and the sanctions applied, are determined under the Tourism Encouragement Law and the relevant regulation; the content of inspection reports and their dates of service should therefore be recorded.

Frequently asked questions

Can a simple accommodation certificate be transferred?

No. Under the amendment of 26 August 2026 the certificate may not be transferred other than by testamentary disposition or succession. Where the contrary is established, the governor's office applies subparagraph (e) of the first paragraph of article 34 of the Tourism Encouragement Law and the certificate is revoked.

When do the new minimum standards start to apply?

Subparagraphs (a) to (f) of the new article 8/A enter into force on 1 November 2026. The transfer prohibition and the provisions on inspection entered into force on 26 August 2026.

How many lifeguards must a facility with a pool have?

At least two certified lifeguards, and a sufficient number having regard to the number and size of the pools at the facility.

Is a children's pool required at every facility?

As a rule a separate pool for children no deeper than fifty centimetres is required. It is not required at facilities that, on prior notice to guests, admit only guests aged twelve and over; if that policy changes, a children's pool must be built before the new policy takes effect.

Which facilities must have a reception desk?

Simple accommodation facilities with a capacity of 25 rooms or more must have a reception desk at the entrance.

Who inspects the facility?

Following the amendment to article 10, inspections of certified facilities may also be carried out by Ministry inspectors.

Must first-aid trained staff be employed?

Yes. Under article 8/A, first-aid supplies must be kept on site and staff certified in first aid must be employed. This requirement takes effect on 1 November 2026.

For beach businesses along the Antalya coast and for guesthouse and apart-scale accommodation, the amendment runs on two separate timetables; compliance work is best planned around the date of 1 November 2026.

For an assessment concerning a transfer, a certification application or steps following an inspection, the office can be reached through the contact page. The general framework for files arising in Konyaaltı is set out on our Konyaaltı lawyer page.

---

For further detail on the matters discussed here, see our Commercial Law page.

The information on this page is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult a lawyer about your own situation.