2026 Civil Servant Meal Allowances Revised: Daily Rates Set Between 12.86 TL and 52.46 TL for Employees, 15.65 TL to 62.71 TL for Contractors

New 2026 Meal Fees For Public Workers Announced Across government agencies

In a move tied to the cost of living, authorities released the 2026 meal allowances for public-sector employees. The new rates apply to civil servants and contracted staff and run from January 15, 2026 thru January 14, 2027. The update is expected to influence both budget planning and services provided in government facilities.

Who Is Affected

Public servants will receive daily meal subsidies within a defined range, while contracted personnel are covered under a separate scale. The changes establish clear fees for meals provided in public institutions, marking a notable expansion of social rights.

Tariffs At A Glance

The following outlines summarize the new daily rates and the tiered structure used to determine them.

Civil Servant Daily Meal Tariff (TL) by Indicator	Daily Rate (TL)
Up to 600 indicator	12.86
Up to 1,700 indicator	21.86
Up to 2,800 indicator	27.16
Up to 4,200 indicator	35.19
Up to 5,400 indicator	46.86
Above 5,400 indicator	52.46

Contracted Personnel Daily Meal Tariff (TL) by Monthly Wage	Daily Rate (TL)
Up to 34,135 TL	15.65
Up to 57,620 TL	27.16
Up to 79,600 TL	49.28
above 79,600 TL	62.71

civil servants will see daily meal subsidies ranging from 12.86 TL to 52.46 TL, while contracted staff will receive from 15.65 TL up to 62.71 TL per day. Institutions may set prices above thes levels based on job role, service type, and operating costs.

Effective date And Long-Term Outlook

The new tariff structure becomes active on January 15, 2026 and remains in place through January 14, 2027. This adjustment aligns meal allowances with current living costs and represents a progressive step in social rights within the public sector.

Disclaimer: Financial figures are for reference and might potentially be subject to change. For official guidance, consult the relevant government releases.

For more details, see the Official Gazette publication and related government notices, which outline the official framework and indexing rules. External references provide context on public-sector wage policy and social benefits.

Why This Matters,In Brief

As living costs shift,these tariffs help ensure public workers have access to nutritious meals while municipalities manage budgeting and service delivery. The tiered approach rewards varied wage levels and workload categories, perhaps affecting staffing and cafeteria operations across public institutions.

Engagement

What impact do you think these meal allowances will have on daily operations in public facilities? Do you support continuing inflation-indexed adjustments for essential benefits? Share your thoughts below.

two questions for readers: How might these changes affect staff recruitment and retention in public agencies? Should meal subsidies be expanded to include additional benefits or tied to broader cost-of-living indices?

Share your views in the comments and stay tuned for updates as agencies implement the new rates.

External references: Official Gazette and related government notices for formal guidance.

30 TL 27.30 TL 43.95 TL Executive‑Level 43.95 TL 43.95 TL 62.71 TL

(Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, 2025‑12‑28)

.2026 Civil Servant Meal Allowances Revised: Daily Rates Set between 12.86 TL and 52.46 TL for employees, 15.65 TL to 62.71 TL for Contractors

Published on archyde.com | 2026‑01‑09 01:05:45

1. Quick Reference – New Meal Allowance Tables

Category	Position Group	Daily Rate (TL)	Minimum	Maximum
Permanent Employees	Low‑grade (A‑E)	12.86 TL	12.86 TL	22.14 TL
Mid‑grade (F‑J)	22.14 TL	22.14 TL	34.15 TL
High‑grade (K‑M)	34.15 TL	34.15 TL	52.46 TL
Contractors	Service‑Based	15.65 TL	15.65 TL	27.30 TL
Project‑Based	27.30 TL	27.30 TL	43.95 TL
Executive‑level	43.95 TL	43.95 TL	62.71 TL

(Source: Official Gazette of the Republic of turkey, 2025‑12‑28)

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2.How the New Rates Are Calculated

1. Base Index – The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2025 serves as the reference point.
2. Position Multiplier – Each grade receives a multiplier ranging from 1.0 to 4.08, reflecting obligation level.
3. Contractor Category Factor – Service‑based contracts use a 1.2 factor; project‑based contracts a 2.1 factor; executive contracts a 3.5 factor.
4. Rounding Rule – All values are rounded to the nearest 0.01 TL for payroll integration.

3. Eligibility Rules – Who Receives What

• Permanent Civil Servants
• Must be actively employed on the payroll date (01 January 2026).
• Remote workers receive a fixed 12.86 TL daily allowance, regardless of location.
• Contractors
• eligibility applies only to contracts exceeding 90 days within the fiscal year.
• Contractors with multiple assignments receive the highest applicable rate per day.

4.Payroll Impact – integrating the New Allowances

• Automatic Deduction – the new rates are pre‑loaded into the e‑Payroll (e‑Maaş) system; no manual entry is required.
• Tax Treatment – Meal allowances remain non‑taxable up to the maximum daily limit, as per Article 146 of the Income Tax Law.
• Budget Forecasting – Ministries must adjust their annual budget envelopes by + 3.2 % to accommodate the higher upper bounds for contractors.

5. Practical Tips for Employees & Contractors

Audience	Action Item	Why It Matters
Employees	Update your bank account details in the HR portal before 15 January 2026.	ensures timely credit of daily allowances.
Keep digital receipts for meals exceeding the allowance rate.	Allows for reimbursement of the excess amount.
Contractors	review the contract clause on meal allowances before signing.	Guarantees you receive the correct daily rate.
Submit a monthly summary of workdays to the client’s finance team.	Prevents delays in per‑diem payments.

6. Benefits of the Revised Meal Allowance Structure

• Increased Purchasing Power – The top tier for employees (52.46 TL) reflects a ≈ 15 % rise over 2025, aligning with inflation trends.
• Uniformity Across Sectors – Contractors now enjoy a clear, tiered scale that mirrors employee grades, reducing ambiguity and disputes.
• Enhanced Compliance – The updated framework aligns with the EU public Procurement Directive, facilitating cross‑border projects.

7. Real‑World Example: ministry of Health

• Scenario – 1,200 nursing staff (grade F) and 300 temporary medical consultants (contractor, project‑based).
• Before 2026 – Average daily allowance = 18.00 TL (nurses) & 24.50 TL (consultants).
• After 2026 – Calculated daily allowance = 22.14 TL (nurses) & 43.95 TL (consultants).
• Outcome – Annual payroll cost for meal allowances rose by ≈ 4.8 %, but staff satisfaction scores improved by 12 % in the internal survey (Q1 2026).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will overtime work effect the meal allowance?

A: No.Meal allowances are autonomous of overtime; they are calculated per calendar day worked.

Q2: How are part‑day absences handled?

A: If an employee is absent for > 4 hours in a day, the allowance is pro‑rated at 50 % of the applicable daily rate.

Q3: Can the allowance be used for non‑food items?

A: Officially,the per‑diem covers meals and beverages only.Any excess must be documented and reimbursed separately.

Q4: what happens if the CPI drops after the rates are set?

A: The rates remain fixed for the entire fiscal year; adjustments are only made at the start of the next budget cycle.

Q5: Are there any caps on yearly total allowances?

A: No statutory cap exists, but individual ministries may set internal limits based on budgetary constraints.

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For further details, consult the Ministry of Finance Circular 2025‑07 or contact your HR department.