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.
A project on a pit with various layouts and developed infrastructure on an installment plan in Mersin
1+1, 2+1
34-61 m²
10297
1+1 apartment with an area of 47 m² in a complex built in 2024, located in Mahmutlar, 800 m from the sea and 650 m from the center of the district.
1+1
47 m²
10296
1+1 apartment with an area of 70 m² in a complex built in 2015, located in Mahmutlar, 500 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district.
1+1
70 m²
10295
1+1 apartment with an area of 40 m² in a complex built in 2025, located in Demirtaş, 2800 m from the sea and 700 m from the district center.
1+1
40 m²
10294
A cozy 2+1 apartment of 125 m² with furniture, appliances, two balconies and two bathrooms, just 50 m from the sea and 500 m from the center.
2+1
125 m²
10293
A spacious, bright 4+1 duplex on the 4th and attic floors, built in 2025, just 450 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center, with panoramic views of the sea and mountains, two bathrooms and two balconies, with the possibility of obtaining a residence permit.
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
212 m²
10292
Modern two-room apartment of 82 m² with furniture and appliances, in a residential complex of 2023, just 1 km from the center and 1.5 km from the sea.
2+1
82 m²
10291
Bright one-room apartment of 55 m² in a new residential complex from 2024 with swimming pools, sauna and fitness, just 600 m from the sea and 300 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10290
Linear apartment 2+1, area 105 m² in the Kargicak district, house built in 2008, furnished, two bedrooms with bathrooms, one balcony with mountain views, 2300 m to the sea and 2000 m to the center, suitable for obtaining citizenship.
2+1
105 m²
10289
Furnished 2+1 apartment, 110 m², in the Demirtaş area, built in 2018, suitable for residence permit, 1400 m to the sea and 1000 m to the center.
2+1
110 m²
10288
Studio apartment 1+0, area 35 m² in the Mahmutlar area, building built in 2016, furnished, 300 m to the sea and 250 m to the center.
1+0
35 m²
10287
1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Obagel district, built in 2005, unfurnished, 200 m to the sea and 100 m to the center, suitable for a residence permit.
1+1
55 m²
10286
1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center, with a balcony with partial sea view.
1+1
55 m²
10285
2+1 apartment, 85 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center.
2+1
85 m²
10284
1+1 apartment, 52 m², in the Oba-Obagel area, built in 2012, furnished, only 300 m to the sea and 150 m to the center.
1+1
52 m²
10283
Duplex 3+1, 160 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center, with a terrace and balcony overlooking the sea.
3+1, Penthouse
160 m²
10282
Modern 1+1 apartment of 54 m² in the Kargicak area, house built in 2020, furnished, 2500 m to the sea and 2000 m to the center.
1+1
54 m²
10281
1+1 apartment with an area of 55 m² in the Gazipasa area, the building was completed in December 2023, furnished, located 1000 meters from the sea and 750 meters from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10280
1+1 apartment, 60 m², in the Cikcilli area, built in 2014, furnished, located 700 meters from the sea and 350 meters from the center.
1+1
60 m²
10279
This 1+1 apartment, 54 m², is located in the Oba district. Built in 2024, it's unfurnished and located 2,000 meters from the sea and 1,000 meters from the city center. It's available for short-term rental.
1+1
54 m²
10278
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.
A project on a pit with various layouts and developed infrastructure on an installment plan in Mersin
1+1, 2+1
34-61 m²
10297
1+1 apartment with an area of 47 m² in a complex built in 2024, located in Mahmutlar, 800 m from the sea and 650 m from the center of the district.
1+1
47 m²
10296
1+1 apartment with an area of 70 m² in a complex built in 2015, located in Mahmutlar, 500 m from the sea and 250 m from the center of the district.
1+1
70 m²
10295
1+1 apartment with an area of 40 m² in a complex built in 2025, located in Demirtaş, 2800 m from the sea and 700 m from the district center.
1+1
40 m²
10294
A cozy 2+1 apartment of 125 m² with furniture, appliances, two balconies and two bathrooms, just 50 m from the sea and 500 m from the center.
2+1
125 m²
10293
A spacious, bright 4+1 duplex on the 4th and attic floors, built in 2025, just 450 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center, with panoramic views of the sea and mountains, two bathrooms and two balconies, with the possibility of obtaining a residence permit.
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
212 m²
10292
Modern two-room apartment of 82 m² with furniture and appliances, in a residential complex of 2023, just 1 km from the center and 1.5 km from the sea.
2+1
82 m²
10291
Bright one-room apartment of 55 m² in a new residential complex from 2024 with swimming pools, sauna and fitness, just 600 m from the sea and 300 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10290
Linear apartment 2+1, area 105 m² in the Kargicak district, house built in 2008, furnished, two bedrooms with bathrooms, one balcony with mountain views, 2300 m to the sea and 2000 m to the center, suitable for obtaining citizenship.
2+1
105 m²
10289
Furnished 2+1 apartment, 110 m², in the Demirtaş area, built in 2018, suitable for residence permit, 1400 m to the sea and 1000 m to the center.
2+1
110 m²
10288
Studio apartment 1+0, area 35 m² in the Mahmutlar area, building built in 2016, furnished, 300 m to the sea and 250 m to the center.
1+0
35 m²
10287
1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Obagel district, built in 2005, unfurnished, 200 m to the sea and 100 m to the center, suitable for a residence permit.
1+1
55 m²
10286
1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center, with a balcony with partial sea view.
1+1
55 m²
10285
2+1 apartment, 85 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center.
2+1
85 m²
10284
1+1 apartment, 52 m², in the Oba-Obagel area, built in 2012, furnished, only 300 m to the sea and 150 m to the center.
1+1
52 m²
10283
Duplex 3+1, 160 m², in the Kargicak area, built in 2021, furnished, only 50 m to the sea and 500 m to the center, with a terrace and balcony overlooking the sea.
3+1, Penthouse
160 m²
10282
Modern 1+1 apartment of 54 m² in the Kargicak area, house built in 2020, furnished, 2500 m to the sea and 2000 m to the center.
1+1
54 m²
10281
1+1 apartment with an area of 55 m² in the Gazipasa area, the building was completed in December 2023, furnished, located 1000 meters from the sea and 750 meters from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10280
1+1 apartment, 60 m², in the Cikcilli area, built in 2014, furnished, located 700 meters from the sea and 350 meters from the center.
1+1
60 m²
10279
This 1+1 apartment, 54 m², is located in the Oba district. Built in 2024, it's unfurnished and located 2,000 meters from the sea and 1,000 meters from the city center. It's available for short-term rental.
1+1
54 m²
10278
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.
