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.
This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
47 m²
11036
This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.
1+1
65 m²
11035
This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.
2+1, Duplex
147 m²
11034
This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.
3+1
170 m²
11033
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.
1+1
55 m²
11032
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located in the Tosmur district, on the third floor of a nine-story building built in 2008. It is furnished and features two bathrooms and three balconies. It is 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the city center. Citizenship and residency are available.
2+1
110 m²
11031
This 1+1 apartment is 50 m² in the Mahmutlar district. This furnished apartment features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is located on the second floor of a four-story building built in 2022. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11030
This 1+1 apartment is 50 sq m and is located on the sixth floor and features one bathroom and a balcony. It is offered unfurnished. The building was built in 2023.
1+1
50 m²
11029
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², is located on the seventh floor of Block B in Mahmutlar. The building was built in 2021. The apartment is delivered furnished and features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is 550 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center.
1+1
55 m²
11028
This 110 sq m apartment in the Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2010. It has one bathroom and two balconies and is delivered furnished. It is 250 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. Citizenship is available.
2+1
110 m²
11027
This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the first floor, which is considered the second floor in height, and is offered unfurnished. The apartment has two bathrooms and two balconies. The building was built in 2017; it is 200 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property will be eligible for citizenship in six months.
2+1
115 m²
11026
This 104 sq m, 2+1 apartment in the Oba district features two bedrooms and a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is located on the third floor of a four-story building built in 2025 and is being delivered unfurnished. Citizenship and short-term rental options are available.
2+1, Duplex
104 m²
11025
This 4+1 villa, measuring 250 m², is located in the Kestel district on a 400 m² plot. It occupies the first, second, and third floors and is delivered furnished. It has three bathrooms and three balconies. Built in 2005, it is 500 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. This property offers citizenship eligibility.
4+1
250 m²
11024
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor in the Avsallar district and is offered unfurnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2025, and an occupancy permit has been obtained. The distance to the sea is 1,200 m, and the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
50 m²
11023
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the ground floor and is delivered furnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2015; it is 300 m from the sea and 200 m from the city center.
1+1
60 m²
11022
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor of a building built in 2025 in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment has one bathroom and one balcony; furniture is not included. The sea is 400 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11021
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is located on the ninth floor in the Mahmutlar district. It has one bathroom and one balcony. It is unfurnished. The building was built in June 2025. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and the city center is 2,000 m.
1+1
45 m²
11020
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is on the ground floor and unfurnished in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment features a 35 m² garden, one balcony, and one bathroom. The building was built in 2025.
1+1
45 m²
11019
This 1+1 villa, 52 m², is located on the sixth floor in Mahmutlar. It features one bathroom and one balcony. The villa is delivered furnished, offers sea views, and residence permit options. It is located on the beachfront, 50 m from the city center. The building was completed in 2023.
1+1
52 m²
11018
This 126.5 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It is located on the fourth floor and is delivered unfurnished. It features one bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. The distance to the sea is 750 m, and the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11017
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.
This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
47 m²
11036
This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.
1+1
65 m²
11035
This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.
2+1, Duplex
147 m²
11034
This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.
3+1
170 m²
11033
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.
1+1
55 m²
11032
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located in the Tosmur district, on the third floor of a nine-story building built in 2008. It is furnished and features two bathrooms and three balconies. It is 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the city center. Citizenship and residency are available.
2+1
110 m²
11031
This 1+1 apartment is 50 m² in the Mahmutlar district. This furnished apartment features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is located on the second floor of a four-story building built in 2022. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11030
This 1+1 apartment is 50 sq m and is located on the sixth floor and features one bathroom and a balcony. It is offered unfurnished. The building was built in 2023.
1+1
50 m²
11029
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², is located on the seventh floor of Block B in Mahmutlar. The building was built in 2021. The apartment is delivered furnished and features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is 550 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center.
1+1
55 m²
11028
This 110 sq m apartment in the Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2010. It has one bathroom and two balconies and is delivered furnished. It is 250 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. Citizenship is available.
2+1
110 m²
11027
This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the first floor, which is considered the second floor in height, and is offered unfurnished. The apartment has two bathrooms and two balconies. The building was built in 2017; it is 200 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property will be eligible for citizenship in six months.
2+1
115 m²
11026
This 104 sq m, 2+1 apartment in the Oba district features two bedrooms and a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is located on the third floor of a four-story building built in 2025 and is being delivered unfurnished. Citizenship and short-term rental options are available.
2+1, Duplex
104 m²
11025
This 4+1 villa, measuring 250 m², is located in the Kestel district on a 400 m² plot. It occupies the first, second, and third floors and is delivered furnished. It has three bathrooms and three balconies. Built in 2005, it is 500 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. This property offers citizenship eligibility.
4+1
250 m²
11024
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor in the Avsallar district and is offered unfurnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2025, and an occupancy permit has been obtained. The distance to the sea is 1,200 m, and the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
50 m²
11023
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the ground floor and is delivered furnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2015; it is 300 m from the sea and 200 m from the city center.
1+1
60 m²
11022
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor of a building built in 2025 in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment has one bathroom and one balcony; furniture is not included. The sea is 400 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11021
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is located on the ninth floor in the Mahmutlar district. It has one bathroom and one balcony. It is unfurnished. The building was built in June 2025. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and the city center is 2,000 m.
1+1
45 m²
11020
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is on the ground floor and unfurnished in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment features a 35 m² garden, one balcony, and one bathroom. The building was built in 2025.
1+1
45 m²
11019
This 1+1 villa, 52 m², is located on the sixth floor in Mahmutlar. It features one bathroom and one balcony. The villa is delivered furnished, offers sea views, and residence permit options. It is located on the beachfront, 50 m from the city center. The building was completed in 2023.
1+1
52 m²
11018
This 126.5 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It is located on the fourth floor and is delivered unfurnished. It features one bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. The distance to the sea is 750 m, and the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11017
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.
