Turkey is a popular tourist destination. Most of the tourist visit Turkey by a plane, but what if you want to drive your own car to Turkey? Here are all the information you need to know about bringing your own car to Turkey:
Who is eligible to enter Turkey with a vehicle having a foreign license plate?
• Individuals residing abroad can temporarily bring their land vehicles with foreign license plates, registered in their name at their place of residence, to Turkey. • Residents of the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries can bring their vehicles registered outside these countries. • The person bringing the vehicle must fulfill the condition of being a resident abroad. This means that they must have been abroad for at least 185 days in the last year prior to their intended entry into Turkey. • Individuals working on ships, temporarily working at construction sites, or staying at hotels, even if they have spent 185 days abroad in the last year, are not considered residents abroad because they do not have a permanent residence abroad. • Turkish citizens who have moved their residence to Turkey, such as for work, study, or temporary assignments, cannot temporarily bring their land vehicles with foreign license plates to Turkey.
How is the 185-day period calculated?
• The calculation of the 185-day period is based on passport entry and exit records obtained from the General Directorate of Security. To ensure accurate calculation, individuals who have used different passports or IDs when entering and exiting Turkey within the last year should inform the customs administration. • Individuals who have spent a total of more than 185 days abroad in the last year, continuously or intermittently, and have a permanent residence abroad, meet the residency abroad requirement. The customs administration checks the 185-day requirement at each entry, and vehicles of those who meet this requirement are allowed to enter. • The "Residence Inquiry" service available at www.turkiye.gov.tr can be used to check if the residency requirement is met. Additionally, the "Entry/Exit Document Inquiry to the Dormitory" service provides information on entry and exit procedures for dormitories. • It is advisable to make inquiries or calculate the time using the entry and exit information recorded in the passport to avoid any issues at customs checkpoints.
185-Day Condition for Retirees from Abroad
• The 185-day residency abroad requirement does not apply to vehicles registered in the name of retirees who are bringing their vehicles to Turkey for the first time. • Retirees who have not used the entire 730-day period but wish to re-enter Turkey with their vehicle within the remaining time are not required to meet the daily residency abroad condition. The remaining time is granted to their vehicles, allowing them to enter.
What are the documents required for entry to Turkey?
The following documents are required by the customs officer for entry into Turkey: • Proof of ownership (driver's license) indicating that the vehicle is registered in the country of residence. • Driver's license of the person bringing the vehicle. • Document showing residence abroad, such as a passport, identity document, or residence permit, depending on the situation. • Valid traffic insurance policy for Turkey. • Passport or substitute identity document of the individual. • For retirees from abroad, a pension certificate translated into Turkish and approved by the consulate or embassy. • Valid power of attorney or lease agreement, as applicable. • Notarized or consular-approved Turkish translation document indicating that the individuals bringing vehicles on behalf of a legal entity are company partners or employees. Vehicle customs registration is free.
How long is the time given to the vehicles brought to Turkey?
• Turkish citizens residing abroad and foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey can keep and use their vehicles with foreign license plates in Turkey for up to 2 years (730 days). • Foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey are given a period specified in their residence permit, not exceeding 730 days. • Foreigners without a residence permit in Turkey are given a total of 90 or 180 days. • Vehicles brought to Turkey with a power of attorney are granted a period of up to 90 days, applicable to legal entities (car, minibus, land vehicle, pickup truck, and motorcycle). • The duration for vehicles brought on a rental basis cannot exceed the period specified in the rental agreement, provided it does not exceed 730 days, depending on the nationality and residence of the person. The allotted time for the vehicle can be used all at once or in parts. However, the requirement to stay abroad for 185 days at each entry is checked by the customs administration, and the vehicles of those who meet this requirement are granted entry permits.
Who Can Benefit From the One-Month Period?
• Residents of the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries are given a one-month period for their vehicles registered in these countries if they are residing abroad and have not met one or both conditions (185-day requirement). This period is granted upon entry to Turkey and can only be used once. Individuals currently in Turkey with their vehicles and those who have already been granted the one-month period within 365 days from their entry date to Turkey cannot benefit from this right. • Those who wish to benefit from the one-month period need to provide documents such as passport, identity card, or residence permit belonging to the European Union or European Free Trade Union countries to prove their residence.
How to Benefit from the Remaining Time
• If non-residents entering Turkey by car bring their vehicles within the last 185 days from the entry date, the time already used is subtracted from the 730-day period, and the remaining time is granted. • Foreign nationals (excluding residence permit-blue card holders) arriving in Turkey by car can bring their vehicles within the last 180 days from the entry date, deducting 90 days from the used time and obtaining the remaining time.
Can someone else's vehicle be brought to Turkey?
• Vehicles with foreign license plates belonging to someone else can be brought to Turkey by power of attorney or lease agreement under the following circumstances: • The person bringing the vehicle by proxy and the owner of the vehicle reside outside the Customs Territory of Turkey. • The person bringing the vehicle is registered in the country of residence (except for persons residing in the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries). • The presence of a lease agreement for vehicles brought on a rental basis.
What Documents Are Required When Bringing Someone Else's Vehicle?
If the vehicle is brought to Turkey with a power of attorney, one of the following documents must be submitted to the customs office, depending on the situation: • Embassy, consulate, or notarized power of attorney. • A power of attorney that can be prepared between the person bringing the vehicle and the owner, if they are present at the customs office of entry and approved by customs. • A document issued by relevant official authorities, such as customs, municipality, police, or court, demonstrating an agreement among real persons and approved by the official authorities of the respective country. • For vehicles brought on behalf of legal entities, in addition to the above, the following documents must be submitted to the customs administration: • A power of attorney containing the signature and approval of the company owner or board of directors for vehicles belonging to legal entities. • A document confirming that the individuals bringing the vehicles on behalf of legal entities are company partners or employees. • If the vehicle is rented, the rental contract must be submitted to the customs office. Notarized or consular-approved translations of the mentioned documents must also be provided to customs.
Who can use foreign vehicles?
• Vehicles with foreign license plates can be used by the beneficiary, their spouse, parents, and children residing abroad, as registered in the vehicle program. • Except for emergencies, driving the vehicle by individuals other than those mentioned above, even if the license holder is present, is not allowed. • Individuals such as mothers, fathers, spouses, and children who do not meet the residency abroad requirement cannot drive vehicles with foreign license plates. • Persons driving the vehicle must carry documents (identity card, passport, etc.) proving that the permit holder is their spouse, parent, or child residing abroad. Vehicles of those unable to provide such documents during road inspections are closed to traffic and handed over to customs for necessary procedures. • Except for the aforementioned individuals, persons other than the rightful owner cannot use the vehicle, even with a power of attorney. A power of attorney obtained from Turkey or abroad for the use of the vehicle by anyone other than the license holder is considered invalid. If this is detected during road inspections, the vehicle is banned from traffic and delivered to customs for necessary procedures. Additionally, fines are imposed on those who misuse or allow others to use the vehicle in such a manner.
Who is eligible to enter Turkey with a vehicle having a foreign license plate?
• Individuals residing abroad can temporarily bring their land vehicles with foreign license plates, registered in their name at their place of residence, to Turkey. • Residents of the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries can bring their vehicles registered outside these countries. • The person bringing the vehicle must fulfill the condition of being a resident abroad. This means that they must have been abroad for at least 185 days in the last year prior to their intended entry into Turkey. • Individuals working on ships, temporarily working at construction sites, or staying at hotels, even if they have spent 185 days abroad in the last year, are not considered residents abroad because they do not have a permanent residence abroad. • Turkish citizens who have moved their residence to Turkey, such as for work, study, or temporary assignments, cannot temporarily bring their land vehicles with foreign license plates to Turkey.
How is the 185-day period calculated?
• The calculation of the 185-day period is based on passport entry and exit records obtained from the General Directorate of Security. To ensure accurate calculation, individuals who have used different passports or IDs when entering and exiting Turkey within the last year should inform the customs administration. • Individuals who have spent a total of more than 185 days abroad in the last year, continuously or intermittently, and have a permanent residence abroad, meet the residency abroad requirement. The customs administration checks the 185-day requirement at each entry, and vehicles of those who meet this requirement are allowed to enter. • The "Residence Inquiry" service available at www.turkiye.gov.tr can be used to check if the residency requirement is met. Additionally, the "Entry/Exit Document Inquiry to the Dormitory" service provides information on entry and exit procedures for dormitories. • It is advisable to make inquiries or calculate the time using the entry and exit information recorded in the passport to avoid any issues at customs checkpoints.
185-Day Condition for Retirees from Abroad
• The 185-day residency abroad requirement does not apply to vehicles registered in the name of retirees who are bringing their vehicles to Turkey for the first time. • Retirees who have not used the entire 730-day period but wish to re-enter Turkey with their vehicle within the remaining time are not required to meet the daily residency abroad condition. The remaining time is granted to their vehicles, allowing them to enter.
What are the documents required for entry to Turkey?
The following documents are required by the customs officer for entry into Turkey: • Proof of ownership (driver's license) indicating that the vehicle is registered in the country of residence. • Driver's license of the person bringing the vehicle. • Document showing residence abroad, such as a passport, identity document, or residence permit, depending on the situation. • Valid traffic insurance policy for Turkey. • Passport or substitute identity document of the individual. • For retirees from abroad, a pension certificate translated into Turkish and approved by the consulate or embassy. • Valid power of attorney or lease agreement, as applicable. • Notarized or consular-approved Turkish translation document indicating that the individuals bringing vehicles on behalf of a legal entity are company partners or employees. Vehicle customs registration is free.
How long is the time given to the vehicles brought to Turkey?
• Turkish citizens residing abroad and foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey can keep and use their vehicles with foreign license plates in Turkey for up to 2 years (730 days). • Foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey are given a period specified in their residence permit, not exceeding 730 days. • Foreigners without a residence permit in Turkey are given a total of 90 or 180 days. • Vehicles brought to Turkey with a power of attorney are granted a period of up to 90 days, applicable to legal entities (car, minibus, land vehicle, pickup truck, and motorcycle). • The duration for vehicles brought on a rental basis cannot exceed the period specified in the rental agreement, provided it does not exceed 730 days, depending on the nationality and residence of the person. The allotted time for the vehicle can be used all at once or in parts. However, the requirement to stay abroad for 185 days at each entry is checked by the customs administration, and the vehicles of those who meet this requirement are granted entry permits.
Who Can Benefit From the One-Month Period?
• Residents of the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries are given a one-month period for their vehicles registered in these countries if they are residing abroad and have not met one or both conditions (185-day requirement). This period is granted upon entry to Turkey and can only be used once. Individuals currently in Turkey with their vehicles and those who have already been granted the one-month period within 365 days from their entry date to Turkey cannot benefit from this right. • Those who wish to benefit from the one-month period need to provide documents such as passport, identity card, or residence permit belonging to the European Union or European Free Trade Union countries to prove their residence.
How to Benefit from the Remaining Time
• If non-residents entering Turkey by car bring their vehicles within the last 185 days from the entry date, the time already used is subtracted from the 730-day period, and the remaining time is granted. • Foreign nationals (excluding residence permit-blue card holders) arriving in Turkey by car can bring their vehicles within the last 180 days from the entry date, deducting 90 days from the used time and obtaining the remaining time.
Can someone else's vehicle be brought to Turkey?
• Vehicles with foreign license plates belonging to someone else can be brought to Turkey by power of attorney or lease agreement under the following circumstances: • The person bringing the vehicle by proxy and the owner of the vehicle reside outside the Customs Territory of Turkey. • The person bringing the vehicle is registered in the country of residence (except for persons residing in the European Union and European Free Trade Union countries). • The presence of a lease agreement for vehicles brought on a rental basis.
What Documents Are Required When Bringing Someone Else's Vehicle?
If the vehicle is brought to Turkey with a power of attorney, one of the following documents must be submitted to the customs office, depending on the situation: • Embassy, consulate, or notarized power of attorney. • A power of attorney that can be prepared between the person bringing the vehicle and the owner, if they are present at the customs office of entry and approved by customs. • A document issued by relevant official authorities, such as customs, municipality, police, or court, demonstrating an agreement among real persons and approved by the official authorities of the respective country. • For vehicles brought on behalf of legal entities, in addition to the above, the following documents must be submitted to the customs administration: • A power of attorney containing the signature and approval of the company owner or board of directors for vehicles belonging to legal entities. • A document confirming that the individuals bringing the vehicles on behalf of legal entities are company partners or employees. • If the vehicle is rented, the rental contract must be submitted to the customs office. Notarized or consular-approved translations of the mentioned documents must also be provided to customs.
Who can use foreign vehicles?
• Vehicles with foreign license plates can be used by the beneficiary, their spouse, parents, and children residing abroad, as registered in the vehicle program. • Except for emergencies, driving the vehicle by individuals other than those mentioned above, even if the license holder is present, is not allowed. • Individuals such as mothers, fathers, spouses, and children who do not meet the residency abroad requirement cannot drive vehicles with foreign license plates. • Persons driving the vehicle must carry documents (identity card, passport, etc.) proving that the permit holder is their spouse, parent, or child residing abroad. Vehicles of those unable to provide such documents during road inspections are closed to traffic and handed over to customs for necessary procedures. • Except for the aforementioned individuals, persons other than the rightful owner cannot use the vehicle, even with a power of attorney. A power of attorney obtained from Turkey or abroad for the use of the vehicle by anyone other than the license holder is considered invalid. If this is detected during road inspections, the vehicle is banned from traffic and delivered to customs for necessary procedures. Additionally, fines are imposed on those who misuse or allow others to use the vehicle in such a manner.