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Category IVContracts

Contracts Law

This section covers the core institutions of the law of obligations — from contract formation to termination, from performance to adaptation. The articles are prepared in light of the Turkish Code of Obligations (No. 6098).

10 articlesWith statutory referencesAll Categories
LatestContract Formation: Declaration of Intent, Offer and Acceptance18 April 2026
28 January 2026

Right of Withdrawal in Consumer Contracts: Distance, Off-Premises and Financing Contracts

Application of TKHK m.48-49 and the Distance Contracts Regulation

How many days is the right of withdrawal, how is it exercised, which contracts does it cover? A detailed guide to the 14-day period, its starting date and exceptions under TKHK.

The right of withdrawal allows the consumer, after entering a contract, to unilaterally exit it within a defined period without giving any reason and without paying any penalty. The Consumer Protection Act (No. 6502) provides this right for many contract types, including distance contracts, off-premises contracts, timeshare, pre-paid housing sale and housing finance.

Withdrawal from Distance Contracts — TKHK m.48

Distance contracts cover online shopping, telephone, fax and catalogue sales — contracts not concluded in the parties' simultaneous physical presence. The consumer may withdraw within 14 days without giving any reason and without paying any penalty (TKHK m.48/4).

The withdrawal period starts, for service contracts, on the day of contract formation, and for goods contracts, on the day of delivery to the consumer or a third party designated by the consumer. For a single order with multiple goods, the date of delivery of the last item applies.

Exercise and Consequences

Withdrawal is exercised by giving notice to the seller or provider in writing or through a durable medium (e-mail, SMS) within the 14-day period. A standard form and an electronic-notification format are prescribed; the seller must offer a mechanism on its website for the consumer to easily fill in the form.

On receipt of the withdrawal notice, the seller must return the price and delivery costs to the consumer within 14 days at the latest. The consumer must return the goods within 10 days of receipt or of the withdrawal notice; unless otherwise agreed, return-shipping costs are borne by the consumer.

Exceptions to the Right of Withdrawal

Article 15 of the Distance Contracts Regulation lists exempt contracts: bespoke goods made to the consumer's specifications; perishable goods or those with imminent expiry; health and hygiene products that cannot be returned once the protective unsealing is opened; periodicals; digital content (once download starts); auction sales; and time-bound services (accommodation, entertainment, etc.).

These exceptions apply only if the seller has expressly informed the consumer before the contract. Failure to inform makes the right of withdrawal available, with the period running from the date of information; in any case, an outer limit of 14 days plus one year applies.

Off-Premises Contracts and Other Withdrawal Rights

Door-to-door sales, registrations at fair stands and products sold within a tour are 'off-premises contracts' (TKHK m.47). The consumer may withdraw within 14 days without reason or penalty.

Housing-finance contracts (TKHK m.33-35) carry a 14-day withdrawal from delivery of the pre-contract information form; the consumer withdraws by returning the principal and interest. Timeshare (TKHK m.50) and pre-paid housing sales (TKHK m.43) likewise allow 14 days; under TKHK m.45, pre-paid housing sales also allow rescission within 24 months from contract.

Practical Considerations

In contractual disputes, not only the signed text but also offer correspondence, revision history, invoices, delivery records, payment records, formal notices and the parties' subsequent conduct are taken into account. The formation, performance and termination of a contract often acquire meaning only through these ancillary documents.

Form requirements, authority of representation, penalty clauses, exclusion-of-liability provisions, standard terms and consumer-protection rules may all affect the validity or enforceability of a contract. In standard-form documents in particular, the other party must be informed, express acceptance obtained, and onerous provisions specifically highlighted.

Before any dispute arises, the scope of obligations, delivery date, defect notice, default notice, interest and competent-court clauses should be drafted explicitly. Vague provisions may give rise to interpretation disputes and to difficulties of proof later on.

Relevant Statutory Provisions

  • TKHK m.43Right of withdrawal in pre-paid housing sales

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 43- (1) Tüketici, on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin ön ödemeli konut satış sözleşmesinden cayma hakkına sahiptir. Cayma hakkının kullanıldığına dair bildirimin bu süre içinde satıcıya yöneltilmiş olması yeterlidir. Satıcı, cayma hakkı konusunda tüketicinin bilgilendirildiğini ispat etmekle yükümlüdür.
    (2) Taşınmazın kısmen veya tamamen bağlı krediyle alınması durumunda bağlı kredi sözleşmesi, sözleşmenin kurulduğu tarihte hüküm doğurmak üzere bu maddede öngörülen cayma hakkı süresi sonunda yürürlüğe girer.
    (3) Satıcının aldığı bedeli ve tüketiciyi borç altına sokan her türlü belgeyi iade ettiği tarihten itibaren, tüketici on gün içinde edinimlerini iade eder.

    English summary (non-binding):

    The consumer has the right to withdraw from a pre-paid housing sale contract within 14 days without giving any reason and without paying any penalty. Notice of withdrawal sent to the seller within the period suffices. The seller bears the burden of proving that the consumer was informed of the right of withdrawal. Where the immovable is acquired wholly or partly by linked credit, the linked-credit contract takes effect — with effects from contract formation — only at the end of this withdrawal period; the credit institution may not demand interest, commission, statutory fees or any other charge from the consumer during the withdrawal period. The consumer must return any acquisitions within 10 days of the seller's return of the price and any document binding the consumer.

    Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • TKHK m.47Withdrawal in off-premises contracts

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 47- (1) Satıcı veya sağlayıcı ile tüketici arasında;
    a) Teklifin tüketici ya da satıcı veya sağlayıcı tarafından yapılmasına bakılmaksızın iş yeri dışında, tarafların eş zamanlı fiziksel varlığında kurulan,
    b) Tarafların eş zamanlı fiziksel varlığında tüketiciyle iş yeri dışında görüşülmesinin hemen sonrasında, satıcı veya sağlayıcının iş yerinde ya da herhangi bir uzaktan iletişim aracıyla kurulan,
    c) Mal ve hizmetlerin tüketiciye tanıtımı ya da satışı amacıyla satıcı veya sağlayıcı tarafından düzenlenen bir gezi esnasında kurulan,
    sözleşmeler iş yeri dışında kurulan sözleşmeler olarak kabul edilir.
    (5) Tüketici, on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin sözleşmeden cayma hakkına sahiptir.

    English summary (non-binding):

    Contracts between a consumer and a seller/provider are treated as off-premises contracts where (a) concluded outside business premises in the simultaneous physical presence of the parties, regardless of which side made the offer; (b) concluded immediately after such off-premises negotiations, at the seller's premises or by any distance-communication means; or (c) concluded during a tour organised by the seller/provider for promotion or sale of goods/services to consumers. Such contracts may be concluded only by sellers/providers authorised by the Ministry. The consumer must be expressly informed in advance on matters detailed in the regulation; the burden of proof lies on the seller. Such contracts are valid only if in writing and the seller cannot rely on invalidity to the consumer's detriment. The seller must obtain the consumer's handwritten contract date and signature, deliver a copy of the contract, and provide the goods/services. The consumer may withdraw within 14 days without reason or penalty; during the period, no payment or debt-creating document may be demanded; the seller bears the burden of proving information; the consumer is not liable for changes from customary use during the period. If the seller's obligations are breached or the consumer is not properly informed, the 14-day limit does not apply; the period in any case ends one year after the original withdrawal-period expiry. Direct-selling systems are subject to a 30-day withdrawal period (m.47/A).

    Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • TKHK m.48Right of withdrawal in distance contracts (14 days)

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 48- (1) Mesafeli sözleşme, satıcı veya sağlayıcı ile tüketicinin eş zamanlı fiziksel varlığı olmaksızın, mal veya hizmetlerin uzaktan pazarlanmasına yönelik olarak oluşturulmuş bir sistem çerçevesinde, taraflar arasında sözleşmenin kurulduğu ana kadar ve kurulduğu an da dâhil olmak üzere uzaktan iletişim araçlarının kullanılması suretiyle kurulan sözleşmelerdir.
    (4) Tüketici, on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin sözleşmeden cayma hakkına sahiptir. Cayma hakkının kullanıldığına dair bildirimin bu süre içinde satıcı veya sağlayıcıya yöneltilmiş olması yeterlidir. Satıcı veya sağlayıcı, cayma hakkı konusunda tüketicinin bilgilendirildiğini ispat etmekle yükümlüdür. Tüketici, cayma hakkı konusunda gerektiği şekilde bilgilendirilmezse, cayma hakkını kullanmak için on dört günlük süreyle bağlı değildir. Her hâlükârda bu süre cayma süresinin bittiği tarihten itibaren bir yıl sonra sona erer.

    English summary (non-binding):

    Distance contracts are those concluded between the seller/provider and the consumer through distance-communication means within a remote-marketing system, without simultaneous physical presence at any point up to and including the moment of formation. The consumer must be expressly informed in advance on matters detailed in the regulation, including that confirming the order entails a payment obligation; the burden of proof lies on the seller. The seller must perform within the agreed period, which for goods sales (except those made to the consumer's specifications) cannot exceed 30 days; failing this, the consumer may terminate. The consumer may withdraw within 14 days without reason or penalty; notice within the period suffices; the burden of proving information lies on the seller; if the consumer is not properly informed, the 14-day limit does not apply, but in any case ends one year after original expiry; the consumer is not liable for changes from customary use during the period. Intermediary service providers operating systems through which distance contracts are formed must maintain a system for the consumer's claims and notifications throughout the period of rights and obligations, and are jointly and severally liable, alongside the seller/provider, for pre-contract information (its provision, confirmation and proof), defects in mandatory pre-contract content (where data was not entered by the seller), record-keeping, breach of intermediary contract causing seller's breach, campaigns/promotions/discounts they organise without the seller's approval, and consistency and proof of pre-contract information against advertising. Where they collect payments on the seller's behalf, they are also jointly liable for delivery and withdrawal obligations once the price is transferred to the seller (subject to exceptions in m.11 and m.15).

    Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • TKHK m.49Distance contracts for financial services

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 49- (1) Finansal hizmetler, her türlü banka hizmeti, kredi, sigorta, bireysel emeklilik, yatırım ve ödeme ile ilgili hizmetleri ifade eder. Finansal hizmetlere ilişkin mesafeli sözleşme, finansal hizmetlerin uzaktan pazarlanmasına yönelik olarak oluşturulmuş bir sistem çerçevesinde, sağlayıcı ile tüketici arasında uzaktan iletişim araçlarının kullanılması suretiyle kurulan sözleşmelerdir.
    (5) Tüketici, finansal hizmetlere ilişkin mesafeli sözleşmelerden on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin cayma hakkına sahiptir.

    English summary (non-binding):

    Financial services cover all banking, credit, insurance, individual pension, investment and payment services. A distance contract for financial services is one concluded between the provider and the consumer through distance-communication means within a remote-marketing system. Before the consumer expresses intent to contract, the provider must inform clearly and in line with the medium used about withdrawal rights, the consequences of acceptance, and matters set by the Ministry. The commercial nature of the contact must be clear; in voice calls, the provider's identity and purpose of the call must be stated at the start of each call. The consumer's acceptance is recorded by appropriate physical or electronic means. The provider must take measures for handling withdrawal notices and recordings. All contract terms and Ministry-determined matters must be delivered to the consumer on paper or by durable medium, before contract formation or, where written information is impossible, immediately after. The consumer may, free of charge, request a paper copy of the contract during its term, and change the distance-communication means used (if compatible with the service). The consumer has a 14-day withdrawal right without reason or penalty; notice within the period suffices; the burden of proving information lies on the provider. Insurance and individual-pension contracts apply withdrawal periods of other consumer-favourable legislation. To terminate, the consumer may use any distance-communication means and may not be required to use more onerous procedures than those used to form the contract.

    Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • TKHK m.50Timeshare and long-term holiday contracts

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 50- (1) Devre tatil sözleşmesi, bir yıldan uzun süre için kurulan ve tüketiciye bu süre zarfında birden fazla dönem için bir veya daha fazla sayıda gecelik konaklama imkânı veren sözleşmelerdir.
    (6) Tüketici, on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin sözleşmeden cayma hakkına sahiptir.

    English summary (non-binding):

    A timeshare contract is one concluded for more than one year giving the consumer overnight accommodation rights for multiple periods within that term. Whether the right is personal or in rem, and whether sold by financial leasing, does not affect application of this article. Except for timeshare rights formed under Title 8 of the Condominium Act (No. 634), no timeshare contract granting a fractional in-rem right may be concluded with consumers; nor may timeshare rights be conferred through cooperative or commercial partnership or via association/foundation membership. A long-term holiday contract is one concluded for more than one year granting the consumer rights to discounts or other benefits during the term, on accommodation alone or together with travel/other services. A pre-contract information form on matters set by the Ministry must be delivered at least one day before timeshare, long-term holiday, exchange or resale-assistance contracts. Apart from those concluded by distance sale, the seller must obtain the consumer's handwritten contract date and signature; written or distance contracts must be delivered to the consumer on paper or durable medium. The consumer may withdraw within 14 days without reason or penalty. During the withdrawal period, no payment or debt-creating document may be demanded; sums collected in breach are immediately refunded, and any debt document is invalid as against the consumer. Timeshare and related resale/exchange contracts automatically end on exercise of withdrawal. Where the price is met wholly/partly by a credit provider linked with the seller, exercising withdrawal — with notice given to the credit provider too — also terminates the linked credit without indemnity or penalty. Pre-paid timeshare contracts (including those for in-rem timeshare) are prohibited. Timeshare contracts (other than those granting in-rem rights) may run for at most 10 years. A consumer holding a personal timeshare right may, by notice to the provider at least 90 days before the period starts, give up that period's use and not be charged for it.

    Source: mevzuat.gov.tr · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • Mesafeli Sözleşmeler Yönetmeliği m.9Procedure for exercising the right of withdrawal

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 9 – (1) Tüketici, on dört gün içinde herhangi bir gerekçe göstermeksizin ve cezai şart ödemeksizin sözleşmeden cayma hakkına sahiptir.
    (2) Cayma hakkı süresi, hizmet ifasına ilişkin sözleşmelerde sözleşmenin kurulduğu gün; mal teslimine ilişkin sözleşmelerde ise tüketicinin veya tüketici tarafından belirlenen üçüncü kişinin malı teslim aldığı gün başlar.
    (3) Cayma hakkı süresinin belirlenmesinde;
    a) Tek sipariş konusu olup ayrı ayrı teslim edilen mallarda, tüketicinin veya tüketici tarafından belirlenen üçüncü kişinin son malı teslim aldığı gün,
    b) Birden fazla parçadan oluşan mallarda, tüketicinin veya tüketici tarafından belirlenen üçüncü kişinin son parçayı teslim aldığı gün,
    c) Belirli bir süre boyunca malın düzenli tesliminin yapıldığı sözleşmelerde, tüketicinin veya tüketici tarafından belirlenen üçüncü kişinin ilk malı teslim aldığı gün
    esas alınır.
    (4) Malın satıcı tarafından taşıyıcıya teslimi, tüketiciye yapılan teslim olarak kabul edilmez.

    English summary (non-binding):

    The consumer has a 14-day withdrawal right without reason or penalty. The period starts, for service contracts, on the day of contract formation; for goods contracts, on the day the consumer or a designated third party takes delivery. The consumer may exercise withdrawal between contract formation and delivery. For multiple goods delivered separately under a single order, the date of delivery of the last item; for goods consisting of several parts, the date of delivery of the last part; for periodic deliveries over a defined period, the date of delivery of the first item is taken as the start. Delivery to a carrier by the seller is not delivery to the consumer. Where goods are delivered together with services, the goods-withdrawal rules apply.

    Source: Resmî Gazete (27.11.2014, S.29188) · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

  • Mesafeli Sözleşmeler Yönetmeliği m.15Exceptions to the right of withdrawal

    Original (Turkish, official):

    MADDE 15 – (1) Taraflarca aksi kararlaştırılmadıkça, tüketici aşağıdaki sözleşmelerde cayma hakkını kullanamaz:
    a) Fiyatı finansal piyasalardaki dalgalanmalara bağlı olarak değişen ve satıcı veya sağlayıcının kontrolünde olmayan mal veya hizmetlere ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    b) Tüketicinin istekleri veya kişisel ihtiyaçları doğrultusunda hazırlanan mallara ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    c) Çabuk bozulabilen veya son kullanma tarihi geçebilecek malların teslimine ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    ç) Tesliminden sonra ambalaj, bant, mühür, paket gibi koruyucu unsurları açılmış olan mallardan; iadesi sağlık ve hijyen açısından uygun olmayanların teslimine ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    d) Tesliminden sonra başka ürünlerle karışan ve doğası gereği ayrıştırılması mümkün olmayan mallara ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    e) Malın tesliminden sonra ambalaj, bant, mühür, paket gibi koruyucu unsurları açılmış olması halinde maddi ortamda sunulan kitap, dijital içerik ve bilgisayar sarf malzemelerine ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    f) Abonelik sözleşmesi kapsamında sağlananlar dışında, gazete ve dergi gibi süreli yayınların teslimine ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    g) Belirli bir tarihte veya dönemde yapılması gereken, konaklama, eşya taşıma, araba kiralama, yiyecek-içecek tedariki ve eğlence veya dinlenme amacıyla yapılan boş zamanın değerlendirilmesine ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    ğ) Elektronik ortamda anında ifa edilen hizmetler veya tüketiciye anında teslim edilen gayrimaddi mallara ilişkin sözleşmeler.
    h) Cayma hakkı süresi sona ermeden önce, tüketicinin onayı ile ifasına başlanan hizmetlere ilişkin sözleşmeler.

    English summary (non-binding):

    Unless the parties agree otherwise, the consumer cannot exercise the right of withdrawal in contracts concerning: a) goods/services whose price varies with financial-market fluctuations beyond the seller's control; b) goods made to the consumer's specifications or personal needs; c) perishable goods or those with imminent expiry; d) goods whose protective unsealing (packaging, tape, seal) has been opened and that cannot be returned for health/hygiene reasons; e) goods that become mixed with other items after delivery and cannot, by their nature, be separated; f) books, digital content and computer consumables supplied in physical form whose protective unsealing has been opened; g) periodicals such as newspapers and magazines (other than under a subscription); h) accommodation, transport, car rental, food and beverage supply, and leisure services to be performed on a specific date or period; i) services performed instantly online or intangible goods delivered instantly; j) services begun, with the consumer's consent, before the withdrawal period expires.

    Source: Resmî Gazete (27.11.2014, S.29188) · last reviewed: 2026-05-12

The statutory provisions are reproduced for information purposes only. The current and official text on mevzuat.gov.tr is authoritative.

Conclusion

The right of withdrawal is one of the most basic consumer-protection mechanisms. Not missing the periods and giving notice in a provable manner (durable medium or registered post with return receipt) is critical to avoid loss of right. In case of dispute, recourse lies — depending on the value threshold — to the Consumer Arbitration Board or the Consumer Court.

This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you would like professional assistance on a specific matter, you may request a consultation.

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