Passport and Visas
Nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with a valid passport; a visa is not required :
For the countries mentioned above and Bulgaria, a transit visa is not required.
Nationals of the following countries require a visa:
NOTE: All EU citizens, Swiss, Maltese and citizens of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus may enter Turkey with the proper Identity cards in lieu of a passport.
Currency Regulation
Limits: There is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that may be brought in to Turkey, but more than $ 5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought in to or taken out of the country.
Exchange slips: The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency in to Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back in to foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
Customs Regulations
On Entry
The following items may be brought into the country duty free :
Valuable items and all items with a value of over $15,000,must be registered in the owners passport upon entering Turkey, for control upon exit.
Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owners passport to avoid difficulties exit.
Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brougnt into the country without special permission
The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marjiuana and all other narcotics is strictly forbidden and subject to heavy punishment.
Gifts, not exceeding 500 DM in value and not for trading purposes, may be brought into the country duty free. In addition, gifts not exceeding 500 DM in value may be posted to Turkey duty free, if the date stamped by the sending post office falls one month before, or one month after the following holidays : Seker Bayrami, Kurban Bayrami, Christmas, New Years, Easter.
On Exit
Gifts and souvenirs : for a new carpet, a proof of purchase; for old items, a certificate from a directorate of a museum is necessary.
Exporting antiques from Turkey is forbidden.
Valuable personal items can only be taken out of the country providing they have been registered in the owners passport upon entry, or providing they can show they have been purchased with legally exchanged currency.
Minerals may only be exported from the country with a special document obtained from the; MTA (General Directorate of Mining Exploration and Research). Etudler Dairesi 06520, Ankara Phone : (312) 287 3430, Fax:(312)2854271
Tax-Free Shopping
You can identify the retailers which are authorized for tax-free sales from the certificates or stickers attached on their doors or display windows. Goods bought from non-authorized outlets are not eligible for a refund. You must have your passport and visa with you. The retailer will ask you to show them. inimum eligible amount of purchase per invoice is 3.000.000 Turkish Liras. The retailer will give you three copies of the invoice, including the original. The value-added tax you paid will be shown separately on your invoice. Keep all three copies in your possession until you need to use them. You must leave the country within three months of purchase. As you enter the customs check-point, have with you the copies and the goods purchased for which you will claim the tax refund. Have the customs officer stamp and validate all three copies of your invoice and, if available, your retailer-issued refund check. Leave two copies of the invoice with the customs officer. Retain the first copy for future reference.
How do I receive my tax refund?
here are four different ways to receive your refund. Consult the authorized retailer of your choice as to which of these he is able to use.
Additional Information
Ministry of Finance and Tax Dept. General Directorate, (Maliye Bakanligi,Gelirler Genel mudurlugu)
KDV subesi 06100,
Ulus - Ankara
phone : (312)3103880/725-728-735
Health Regulations for Animals
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required :
NOTE: If you have an ofticial certificate, you may bring one cat, one dog and 10 fish into the country
Motorist Rules
Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other transport vehicles, will have to provide the following documentation :
The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country at the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be extended, it is necessary to apply to;
The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu)
1. Oto Sanayi Sitesi Yani, 4.Levent, Istanbul,
Phone : (212)2828140(7 lines). Fax:(212),2828042,
or to
The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler genel mudurlugu),
Ankara Phone : (312) 3103300, Fax: (312)311 75 97,
before the end of the period declared. In Case of Accident: The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should apply to the customs authority with his passport and report. If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the oustoms authority first and then take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country.) Following accident, you can telephone :
Trafik Polisi (Traffic Police), Phone : 154
Jandarma (Gendarme), Phone : 156.
For more information, contact the Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (See Useful Addresses).
Formalities for Private Yacht Owners
Yachts require a Transit Log and may remain in Turkish waters for up to two years for maintenance or for wintering. There are certain ports licensed by the Ministry of Tourism for the storage of yachts for a period of two to five years. For further information and regulations, contact the marina concerned. Upon arriving in Turkish waters, yachts shout immediately go for control of the ships log to the nearest port of entry which are as allows : Iskenderun, Botas(Adana), Mersin, Tasucu, Anamur, Alanya, Antalya Kemer, Finike, Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris, Datca, Bodrum,Gulluk, Didim, Kusadasi, Cesme, lzmir, Dikili, Ayvalik, Akcay, Canakkale, Bandirma, Tekirdag, Korfez, Istanbul, Zonguldak, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Hopa.
Port Formalities
All the required information conceming the yacht, yachtsmen, crew members, intended route, passports, customs declarations, health clearance, and any other obligatory natters must be entered in the Transit Log. The Transit Log is to be completed by the captain of a yacht under a foreign flag or by an amateur sailor acting as captain of the vessel. The Transit Log is completed upon first entering a Turkish port and, generally, it is necessary to contact the Harbor Authority before leaving. For information on tax-free fuel, contact the Marina Harbor Office. For further information on sailing in Turkey see the section Recreation.
NOTE: If you have a certificate from the Tourism Ministry Yacht Harbor, you may take full petrol at no charge, provided you possess an official marina license.
Formalities for Private Plane Owners
When coming to Turkey, international air routes should be followed. Private planes may stay for up to three months in Turkey with tourist status, but for longer permission permission should be obtained from :
The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu), Ankara,
Phone : (312)3103300, Fax (312)311 7597
The airports of Ankara, Adana, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Trabzon and Dalaman have facilities for private planes. It is also possible to hire planes and helicopters in Turkey.
For further information, apply to;
The Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport (UIastirma Bakanligi, Sivil Havacilik Gen.Mud.),
Bosna-Hersek Cad., No : 5 - 06338, Emek, Ankara
Phone : (312)2126730, Fax: (312)2124684, Tlx: 44659 Ga-tr.
