Republic of Turkey — a secular eastern state with a developed economy and a high standard of living. It’s impossible not to fall in love with the beauty of Turkish nature, stunning seascapes, warm climate, and unique culture. And this is reflected in the annual increase in the number of foreigners who come to the country as tourists or investors to buy an apartment in Turkey .
Increasingly, citizens from abroad, when choosing a method of traveling to a resort republic, prefer traveling by personal car rather than by plane. Therefore, the question of how to import a car to Turkey is especially relevant if you are planning a long tour or moving to a permanent place of residence.
The topic of our latest publication: rules for entering Turkey by car in 2023, driving and fines for violating traffic rules.
Rules for entering Turkey with a foreign car
According to Turkish laws, foreigners have the right to cross the state border by car. The register of vehicles approved for import includes:
- passenger cars;
- buses and minibuses;
- vans;
- motorcycles;
- small box trucks and trailers.
In 2023, the following rules apply for importing a car into Turkey:
185 days outside Turkey
Before crossing the border of an eastern state, the period of stay of vehicles outside Turkey must be at least 185 days over the past annual period. Otherwise, there will be a ban on entering the country by car.
730 days in the Republic of Turkey
If you have an ikamet card (residence permit), you have the right to import your vehicle and use it in Turkey for two years. If there is no residence permit, then the period of stay corresponds to the period of validity of the visa-free or visa regime. That is, for Ukrainians — 90 days, and for Russians — up to 60 days. As soon as the Ikamet card is received, the foreign citizen has the opportunity to extend the period of stay of the car on the territory of the state. To do this, you need to contact the customs department at your place of residence.
Mandatory car declaration
Any vehicle crossing the Turkish border is subject to mandatory declaration. The declaration is filled out at customs checkpoints at the border or at any customs office. A fine is provided for violating the terms of the declaration.
In addition, the temporary import of a car into Turkey can be recorded in advance (two weeks) by submitting an application for a declaration. To do this, follow link to the government website e-Devlet services. This will speed up the customs clearance procedure.
Vehicle insurance
The rules for entering Turkey by car include issuing a Green Card insurance policy. Insurance is required in case of accidents on the road. Registration is available in your state of residence and in the Republic of Turkey.
Customs clearance
Customs clearance of a car in Turkey — a mandatory procedure for those foreigners who decide to stay in the country after two years of residence. In this case, you will have to pay a large tax and VAT of 18% for the vehicle. For new cars, the contribution usually depends on the engine size and is about 100% of the market price. According to many Russian-speaking motorists, when moving to a permanent place of residence, it is more profitable to buy a car in the republic, despite the higher price tag than at home.
Very stylish and bright 3+1 apartment with designer renovation, view of the pool and mountains - in a complex with infrastructure, 2300 m from the sea and 800 m from the center.
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Modern 1+1 apartment with a balcony and spacious layout, located in a new complex 1500 meters from the sea and 600 meters from the center.
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For information: in order to avoid problems when crossing the Turkish border, we recommend that you fully repay the debt to the state. Otherwise, customs officials may simply not let you into Turkey.
When going by car to Turkey, in addition to your passport, take with you:
- registration certificate for the car;
- insurance policy (it is important that it is valid in the resort republic);
- license to drive a car.
Pensioners should have a pension certificate translated into Turkish and legalized. Driving documents Apostille in Turkey are not required.
Foreign citizens can travel to the Republic of Turkey in someone else's car, subject to a power of attorney from the owner signed and stamped by a notary.
Rules for entering Turkey by car for pensioners
The government is putting forward less stringent requirements for pensioners to import a car into Turkey. Firstly, the rule of spending 185 days outside the republic is not relevant for foreign citizens of retirement age. Secondly, after two years of living and using their own vehicle, they can renew their period of stay. To do this, you will need to leave and literally immediately return to the country. In addition, foreign pensioners, after 185 days, have the opportunity to make a deposit and get a temporary license plate for their car.
Car fines in Turkey
Perhaps the most important rule to remember while on Turkish roads is: attentiveness and calmness. Include not only vision and hearing, but also all senses, as well as intuition.
Traffic rules exist in the Republic of Turkey, but they are not followed by everyone and not always. Turkish drivers drive aggressively, honk their horns with or without reason, blink their headlights to urge others on, and are characterized by impatience and a hot temper. Common practice: do not turn, overtake on the right, cut off, suddenly change lanes, slow down or suddenly drive onto the sidewalk, and do not let people pass at pedestrian crossings. Don't be surprised if one of the road users suddenly stops. It is likely that he saw his friend and decided to chat or changed his mind about going in that direction. Both professional drivers and beginners in Turkey violate: in some cases on purpose, in others — by chance.
Drivers should also be careful, as pedestrians can cross the road in the wrong place or unexpectedly jump onto the roadway.
Be calm, do not be fooled by provocations and do not get emotional. After some time, you will adapt and feel at home on Turkish roads.
Of course, like in any other civilized state, Turkey provides for fines for violating traffic rules. DVRs are installed on the roads, and road patrols are working. The fines are large and you will be required to pay them when leaving the country. If you pay on time, you will receive a discount.
Amount of fines for:
- driving a car without a driver's license — 9,918 TL (480 €);
- unfastened seat belt — 1,008 TL (50 €);
- running a red light — 936 TL (45 €);
- driving in the oncoming lane — 2,000 TL (98 €);
- talking on a mobile phone — 535 TL ( 26 €);
- for drunk driving — 1000 TL (49 €) for the first time, with repeated violations the amount increases significantly.
The Republic of Turkey has good roads and highways on which it is allowed to travel at fairly high speeds. There is a speed limit within populated areas — 50 km/h. There are fines for exceeding:
- 55–65 km/h — 535 TL (26 €);
- 65–75 km/h — 988 TL (49 €);
- 75 km/h or more — 5 002 TL (245 €).
Is it possible and how to check fines on a car in Turkey? Violations recorded by road surveillance cameras are located on the state Web portal by link.
In the field called "PLAKA" Enter the vehicle registration number and go through the captcha. Next, check the checkbox at the bottom left of the screen near the text “OKUDUM ANLADIM” and press the “SORGULA” button.
The system will analyze the database and provide data in the form of tables displaying all Turkish organizations that have the right to issue a fine to the driver. The inscription "KAYIT YOK" or “NO RECORDING” in the column opposite each institution indicates that no fines were imposed on you.
As you can see, importing a car to Turkey by foreign citizens does not require fulfilling any difficult conditions. Therefore, traveling to a resort country in a personal car will give you only positive emotions and impressions.
If you have questions regarding the purchase of real estate in Turkey, Point Property employees will be happy to help you find a suitable property.
Very stylish and bright 3+1 apartment with designer renovation, view of the pool and mountains - in a complex with infrastructure, 2300 m from the sea and 800 m from the center.
3+1
180 m²
9495
Modern 1+1 apartment with a balcony and spacious layout, located in a new complex 1500 meters from the sea and 600 meters from the center.
1+1
60 m²
9494
Comfortable 2+1 apartment with a separate kitchen, balcony and good location - 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center.
2+1
85 m²
9493
New 1+1 apartment of 50 m², located in Mahmutlar, built in 2024. Distance to the sea - 950 m, to the center - 500 m.
1+1
50 m²
9492
Modern 1+1 apartment of 60 m² in a new multifunctional complex built in 2024, located on the 7th floor. Distance to the sea - 1000 m, to the center - 850 m.
1+1
60 m²
9491
Apartment 1+1 in a modern complex of 2023, located on the 4th floor, 1400 m from the sea and 600 m from the center, with partial sea view and fully furnished.
1+1
55 m²
9490
A luxurious apartment in a new building at a very reasonable price.
1+1
55 m²
9489
Two-bedroom apartment of 128 sq.m. with furniture and appliances
2+1, Duplex
128 m²
9488
Very cozy furnished apartment 2+1 with a glazed balcony, located only 350 m from the sea and 200 m from the center.
2+1
110 m²
9487
Modern 1+1 apartment with furniture, balcony and good infrastructure, just 650 meters from the sea and 200 meters from the center of the area.
1+1
55 m²
9486
Furnished 2+1 apartment with two bathrooms and balconies, 350 meters from the sea and only 200 meters from the center of the area.
2+1
135 m²
9485
Modern 1+1 apartment with balcony and bathroom, just 650 m from the sea and 200 m from the district center.
1+1
55 m²
9484
Stylish 2+1 apartment with good repair and two spacious balconies in a hotel-type complex, only 1800 m from the sea and 500 m from the center.
2+1
90 m²
9483
Bright sunny 2+1 apartment with designer renovation, two balconies and two bathrooms, 700 meters from the sea.
2+1
115 m²
9482
Spacious duplex 3+1 with beautiful mountain views, 800 meters from the sea and 350 meters from the center of Mahmutlar
3+1, Duplex, Penthouse
120 m²
9481
Spacious 4+1 apartment with two balconies and two bathrooms, 650 meters from the sea and 400 meters from the center in the prestigious Kestel area
4+1, Duplex
650 m²
9480
Furnished 3+1 villa with sea view, two balconies and two bathrooms in one of the most prestigious residential complexes in the city.
3+1, Duplex, Penthouse
130 m²
9479
Spacious 2+1 twin villa, 180 m², with two balconies and sea view, located in Demirtas. Year of construction - 2008. 150 meters from the sea and 750 meters from the center of the area.
2+1
180 m²
9478
Modern apartment 1+1, 50 m², located in the Demirtas area. Year of construction - 2024. Located on the 2nd floor, 500 meters from the sea and 800 meters from the center.
1+1
50 m²
9477
4+1 triplex villa, 220 m², with separate kitchen and rounded rooms, located in Avsallar. Year of construction - 2008. Villa on 3 floors with three balconies, which offer partial views of the sea and the surrounding area. To the sea - 600 m, to the center - 400 m.
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
220 m²
9476
These materials have been prepared for informational purposes and are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — is a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for residential and commercial real estate transactions in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
