site.btaTurkiye to Require Card Payment Terminals at Local Open-Air Markets Starting August 15

A new regulation will require vendors at Turkiye’s traditional open-air markets (semt pazarları) to provide card payment options starting August 15, Turkish broadcaster Kanal D reported.

Under the new rule, traders , known locally as esnaf, will be obligated to have point-of-sale (POS) terminals, allowing customers to pay by bank or debit card, just as they would in regular shops. Until now, cash has been the dominant payment method at these markets.

Authorities say the change will benefit both consumers and vendors by modernizing the market experience and providing more flexibility in payment methods.

The markets, which are a widespread and culturally significant form of trade across Turkiye, take place in open-air setups where large tents and stalls are arranged on designated days in specific locations. These markets offer a wide array of goods ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothes, household items, food products, and even jewelry, often at lower prices than in regular stores.

Istanbul alone hosts around 15 major neighborhood markets. Among the most well-known are the Salı Pazarı in Kadıkoy on the Asian side of the city, and the Ulus Pazarı on the European side. These bustling markets attract shoppers of all ages looking for variety and affordability.