21.02.2026 10:22
The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has made changes to the Natural Gas Market Distribution and Customer Services Regulation to expedite processes and strengthen consumer rights. Accordingly, no security deposit will be collected from subscribers over the age of 65. The subscription fee can be paid in 6 installments. Additionally, if a connection fee has been previously charged for the same address, no fee will be collected a second time.
The Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) has published the Regulation on Amendments to the Natural Gas Market Distribution and Customer Services Regulation in the Official Gazette, and it has come into effect.
Those receiving a monthly allowance for the needy over the age of 65 or those entitled to regular social assistance will not be charged the security deposit of 4,135 TL.
NO CONNECTION FEE WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE SECOND TIME AT THE SAME ADDRESS
Accordingly, the subscriber connection fee will be collected once during the connection agreement. If the service line manufacturing has not yet started, the fee will be refunded within 5 business days upon application. If a connection fee has been previously charged for the same address, a second collection cannot be made.
The necessary permit applications for the service line will be completed within a maximum of 5 business days from the collection of the connection fee. If the applications are accepted by the relevant authorities on certain dates, the distribution company will not be held responsible for delays.
The service line will be completed and made ready for gas supply within 30 days from the collection of the connection fee as a rule. With the approval of the requester, this period can be extended up to 90 days. If the line cannot be made ready for gas supply within 90 days due to the failure to obtain the necessary permits, the connection fee will be refunded within 5 business days from the expiration of the period.
If excavation permits are granted less than 30 days before the end of the period, the consumer will be informed, and the service line will be completed within 30 days.
Additionally, the subscriber connection fee can be paid in equal installments for up to 6 months by credit card. The financing costs arising from this will not be reflected in the tariffs.
BURNER DEVICE AND SUBSCRIPTION PROCESSES
If the type, location, or capacity of the burner device does not change, a project amendment will not be required for device replacement. The replacement will be carried out provided that the form prepared by the distribution company is filled out by the company replacing the device and checked by the company official. The commissioning process will also be carried out after the installation check.
The first subscription contract will be signed after the submission of the necessary documents following the internal installation project approval and the accrual and/or collection of the security deposit, or it can be established remotely. The contract will be made with the person who will actually use the natural gas or their authorized representative.
For subsequent subscriptions at the same address, gas supply will be initiated within 4 business days after the contract is signed, following the installation check. If the installation is found unsuitable, deficiencies will be corrected, and a re-check will be conducted upon application within a maximum of 4 business days to open the gas.
At addresses where subscriptions have been suspended by the relevant authorities or contracts have been terminated, a new contract cannot be signed without obtaining the written approval of the relevant authority.
INSTALLMENT AND EXEMPTION ON SECURITY DEPOSIT
Distribution companies can collect a one-time security deposit from subscribers using mechanical meters. Payment can be made in cash or by credit card, either upfront or in installments, with at least 6 equal installments applied and no interest charged.
Those using prepaid meters, places of worship, cemevis, Quran courses affiliated with the Presidency of Religious Affairs, certain public administrations, and households receiving social assistance will be exempt from the security deposit. However, this exemption will not apply if the existing subscription is terminated and a new subscription is established by the same person at the same address.
METER, BILL, AND DISCONNECTION PROCESSES
The installation, removal, and inspection of meters will only be carried out or arranged by the distribution company, and meters will not be delivered to the consumer. Interventions will be made within a maximum of 24 hours for meter malfunctions that hinder gas supply.
Damage caused by external interference to the meters or measurement system will be the responsibility of the customer. Interference with the measurement system resulting in underreporting or incorrect measurement of consumption will be considered illegal usage.
If the meter reading period falls below the duration stipulated in the legislation due to reasons originating from the distribution company, the bill payment period will be at least 25 days. In case of an extension of the reading period, the consumption amount will be divided into at least 4 billing periods, and no interest will be applied.
Bills will be sent to the consumer at least 10 days before the due date, and the payment period cannot be less than 5 business days under any circumstances.
If debts are not paid within 3 months from the due date, a notification must be made through multiple communication channels at least 3 business days in advance for the termination of the contract. The same rule will apply in case of non-payment of the installment security deposit.
EMERGENCY INTERVENTION AND LICENSE REGULATION
Distribution companies will establish an emergency intervention organization that can respond to malfunctions in a timely manner, and infrastructure will be created to respond to emergency call lines no later than the third ring. Companies will be able to provide personnel and equipment support to each other in case of disasters and emergencies.
Additionally, it has become mandatory to keep operational data in a digital environment and on a license basis, to establish archiving systems, and to create at least one operational building. These obligations must be completed within 24 months.
Within the scope of the regulation, the way has been opened for facilities supplying gas to free consumers directly connected to the transmission line to be included in the distribution area under certain conditions and for license amendments to be made.
The provisions of the regulation will be implemented by the head of the institution.