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Overview
Turkey is an EU candidate member state. To fulfill candidacy requirements Turkey is aiming to comply with EU laws but there are still some laws that are dissimilar.
This guide sets out essential information for British nationals visiting or residing in Turkey, including visa and residency requirements, Turkish healthcare system, earthquake preparedness, and vehicle and driving licence laws.
Entry and residency requirements
Visas
British nationals need a visa to enter Turkey, except for cruise ship passengers entering the country for a day trip and returning to the ship the same day.
British citizens can get a multiple entry visitor visa on arrival at any port of entry on payment of £10 in cash (Scottish and Northern Irish bank notes are not accepted).
You can also obtain an e-visa before travel from the Turkish Electronic Visa Application System. The e-visas are only available for tourists and business visitors.
Turkish visit visas are valid for multiple stays up to a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply to the Turkish Consulate General for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90-day stay has elapsed. If you exceed the 90-day limit, you may be fined, deported and banned from re-entering the country.
Residency permits
Residency permits are obtained after arrival in Turkey.
A formal application must be made to the police authorities in the province where you reside, or to the Aliens department of the Police in Ankara, if no fixed abode in Turkey is intended. However, well before your departure from the UK, you should contact the Turkish Consulate in London for information about residency requirements and for information about importation of your personal effects, household goods or car.
A residence permit is an absolute necessity before you can clear any personal goods/car from Turkish Customs. Therefore an application for a residency permit must be made within one month from the date of your arrival in Turkey. Failure to do so will result in additional daily storage costs for your goods/car by the Turkish Customs Authorities, which can be expensive.
Residence permits may be issued for a two-year period, thereafter for a maximum of five years at any one time.
Residence permit fees:
British Nationals pay 60 Euros/$80/year: fees will be charged at $25 for one month and $5/month for each subsequent month
a residency permit book costs 198 Turkish lira (TL)
The fees will be converted to TL at the day of payment using the official exchange rate. Further information is available from the Alien’s Department in your local area.
Work Permits
A work permit is required for employment in Turkey. The employee or employer (depending the type of work permit) should apply to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. You should contact the Turkish Embassy in London and/or your prospective employer in Turkey before travelling.
Special arrangements for tour operators exist. You should contact your employer for full details.
Healthcare for visitors and residents
Visitors
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is not valid in Turkey. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Universal Healthcare Scheme for residents
It is not compulsory for foreign nationals to join the Social Security Institution health scheme. Those wishing to join may do so after one year of residency in Turkey with a residence permit. All foreign nationals who have been residing longer than a year will also be eligible to apply and payments will start from the date of application. Payments will not be back dated.
The only time when a foreign national will be able to cease membership, or withdraw their application from SGK, is when they decide to leave Turkey to return to their country or if they join an official health scheme (e.g. NHS).
If leaving Turkey on a permanent basis an individual must surrender their residence permit to the Foreigners Police Department and write a letter to their Social Security Institution informing them that they are leaving the country.
On joining an official health scheme a letter proving membership of the scheme must be submitted to the Social Security Institution.
Natural Disasters (Earthquakes)
Many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors. In August 1999 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale resulted in over 17,000 deaths when it struck Izmit, a town 55 miles south of Istanbul.
The Turkish government will be responsible for assisting foreigners immediately after a major earthquake or serious natural disaster. It is important to co-operate with these authorities. The British Embassy Ankara, the Consulate-General in Istanbul and our other consulates in Turkey will try to find out where British nationals affected by the disaster are, checking on their condition. We will pass information about your welfare back to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London, or to your relatives.
Before you travel
Prepare a small personal ‘earthquake kit’ to take with you (below).
Find out where the British Embassy/Consulate is located relative to where you intend to visit/stay and the relevant contact details (you can do this online).
Familiarise yourself with the advice on what to do in an earthquake (below).
Ensure you have adequate travel insurance.
Ensure you have emergency contact details of your next of kin and your GP with you.
Make several copies of your passport photo page. If you are able to, make a colour scan of the photo page and laminate it and keep a copy in your earthquake kit, in your briefcase/handbag, and in your jacket (plus a couple of spares). This helps if you need to show who you are and, if you do not have your passport with you, can be used for identification purposes.
Earthquake Kit
Prepare a small personal ‘earthquake survival kit’ per person in a small backpack, comprising (as appropriate):
first aid kit
whistle and key-ring torch
water purification tablets
packets of high-energy foods (enough to last 24 hours)
wet wipes
a small wash bag containing (as appropriate): spare toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap, feminine hygiene items, toilet paper, tissues, condoms (can be used as a water container)
spare prescription medication
spare spectacles/contact lens kit
pen and small pad of paper
small pair of scissors and/or multi-tool penknife
collapsible umbrellas
emergency money (small denominations)
All of these items can be packed into a small space and do not take up much weight. Seal things like toilet paper in re-sealable plastic bag to keep it dry. Pack all these items in your check-in luggage, if flying. If travelling with children add items appropriate for their age, and especially for babies and infants.
The whistle and key-ring torch are essential and are probably the most important items in this list. Ensure that you keep these on your person throughout the day and within reach on your bedside table at night. If you become trapped after an earthquake either can be used to make your presence known; the whistle, even if weakly blown, is likely to be heard by rescuers/rescue dogs.
If you are staying with relatives or with private individuals, they should already have an earthquake kit for their residence, sufficient and suitable for the number of people staying, including guests. Check with them before you travel that they have such a kit and related supplies. Expect that it is unusual for people to be so well prepared, so when they tell you that they are, it will be a comforting surprise.
Preparation in Turkey
As soon as possible after arrival at your destination and on unpacking your suitcase:
familiarise everyone with earthquake emergency procedures and develop a plan of action, such as arrange where to meet,
parents may wish to consult with their child’s school about its emergency plans
find out where your designated evacuation area is (your landlord or ward office will be able to help you)
know your route home from work/school on foot- in the event of a major earthquake, public transportation and roads will not be accessible
check the emergency escape routes from your room, important also in case of fire and know where the assembly points are located
put a bottle of water (minimum 0.5 litres) per person (more if in a hot climate) in your backpack
prepare your personal earthquake bag and place it where you can easily reach it as you leave your room
ensure that you have easily accessible a jacket suitable for the time of year and weather conditions. In winter, ensure you have hat, gloves, and waterproof jacket (supplemented by your umbrella to help keep you dry); in summer, sunglasses, sunhat and sun screen cream; an umbrella can be used to provide shade as a parasol
at night, place your whistle and torch beside your bed, ensure that there is no picture with glass front above your bed. Place footwear upside down or under cover so that in the event that glass from such a picture is shattered, fragments do not go into your footwear and cause lacerations when you put the footwear on
the idea behind this personal earthquake kit is that, immediately after surviving a major earthquake, you can grab your earthquake bag, evacuate safely and without undue delay from the premises where you are staying, with enough personal supplies to survive for 24 hours without needing help from anyone else
General behaviour
Earthquake preparedness is mostly common sense and there is no reason to be paranoid about the potential risks. However, in a seismically active region it is best to be aware of your surroundings and take some simple precautions so you do not put yourself at unnecessary risk.
Just as you need to be aware of traffic movements and regulations about crossing the road in a place with which you are not familiar, so you should also be sensible in relation not only to earthquakes but also to fire.
What to expect when a major earthquake occurs
If a major earthquake (magnitude 6 or more) occurs, it is possible that the following might happen:
there may be a very loud noise like a passing train
buildings and the ground may shake violently for between 15 and 90 seconds, sometimes even longer
weak building facades may collapse into the streets, glass windows and panels may shatter, roof tiles may fly off, chimneys may collapse, etc.
it may be hard to stand up, let alone walk due to the ground shaking; in severe cases the movement may be sufficient to throw you to the ground
electricity, water and gas may fail or be switched off
sprinkler systems and fire alarms may be triggered
telephone systems (landlines and mobile) may shut down for significant periods after an earthquake
a tsunami may occur in coastal areas or in areas bordering large lakes. Take note of any tsunami warnings issued following an earthquake
be prepared for aftershocks; these may be almost as strong as the main event, may start to occur within minutes of the main ‘quake, and may occur for days to months after a strong earthquake
What to do during a major earthquake
If indoors:
stay there; drop to the ground, duck under a sturdy desk or table to take cover or get into a corner of a room, not in a doorway, and hold on to whatever you are hiding beneath
if you are in bed, stay there until the shaking has stopped
if in a high-rise building, stay away from windows and outside walls. Do not use lifts or staircases during the shaking.
If outdoors:
stay there; move into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls and power lines
If in a vehicle:
stay in the vehicle until the shaking has stopped
pull over to the side of the road and stop but away from buildings, overpasses, underpasses, trees and overhead cables, if possible
only proceed, and with great caution, once the shaking has stopped but avoid bridges and structures that might have been damaged by the earthquake
If in a crowded place:
crouch in the duck, cover and hold posture and do not rush for the nearest exit
wait until the shaking has stopped then evacuate the building once you know the exit is clear
If trapped under debris:
do not move about or kick up dust
cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing
do not light a match (in gas of gas leaks
use a whistle if you have one available
tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you
shout only as a last resort as shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust
What to do immediately after a major earthquake
Your options will be dictated by your circumstances immediately after a major earthquake, the extent of damage to the local infrastructure and the level of preparedness of the authorities. The severity of damage and the number of fatalities and casualties can be worse in poorly prepared countries than in those where precautions have been long established, even for a moderate earthquake. Be prepared for a general state of chaos and confusion and do not be surprised if telephones (landline and/or mobile) do not function for many hours after a major earthquake.
Assuming that there has been a significant amount of damage and disruption to local infrastructure, you are advised to seek advice from your nearest British embassy or consulate, which should have an Earthquake Contingency Plan. When they are able, they will provide assistance in communicating with your relations in the UK and will advise as to what they are able to provide in the way of further support.
Do not assume that they will automatically provide you with food and shelter or emergency evacuation. In the most severe disasters, it may take several days to provide assistance. Furthermore, you may be a long way away from the nearest embassy/consulate making it impractical to try to reach the embassy/consulate in person.
You should check your insurance policy before you travel to ensure that you are aware of what support is available in the event of a natural disaster and what you should do and who you should contact should such an event occur.
Further information
AKUT Search and Rescue Association
Turkish Red Crescent
Bogazici University Kandilli Observatory and Earthquake Research Institute
Buying property
Foreigners require military permission before being able to purchase property. This can cause a delay in the whole process and you should allow a period of 3 weeks, though in individual cases the time can be longer. There is no way around this requirement and attempts to circumvent the process can lead to financial loss and you may still not get the property you wanted to purchase.
You are strongly recommended to obtain the services of an independent lawyer before committing yourself to purchasing property or paying a deposit or the property’s full costs. We define “independent lawyer” as one who has no connection with either the seller or an agent of the seller: an agent can be an estate agent or anyone acting on behalf of the seller.
Property deeds
The deeds for all properties are lodged with the local District Land Registry Office. All sales of property must be lodged with the Land Registry Office, as the sale is not complete or legal until you visit the Land Registry Office with the seller. The seller should be the existing owner or their legal representative. You should both sign the agreement and you should then be given your title deeds.
Enquiries checklist
You should make some practical enquiries before committing yourself to a purchase. You can ask your lawyer to conduct some of these enquiries but make sure you are satisfied before committing yourself.
Some suggested areas for enquiry:
• does the seller own the title deeds to the property?
• have the deeds been offered as collateral for any loans?
• does the owner have outstanding utility bills, local tax demands, etc that you may be liable for on purchase of the property?
• talk to other property owners in the area or on the development. Are there any issues you should be aware of before purchasing (such as floods in winter, lack of water or electricity supplies in summer, etc)?
• if buying brand new, or partially built, from a developer, do title deeds for the property in question actually exist?
• does the developer own the title deeds?
• has the developer used the title deeds for the land or properties as collateral for loans?
• ask the developer to show you some projects that s/he has completed. Talk to owners of properties on these developments to see if they had any problems
• does the developer have outstanding commitments to utility suppliers to bring water, sewage, electricity etc to the development ?
• having made all your enquiries, are you satisfied in your own mind that you can go ahead with the purchase of the property in question without encountering problems? If not, make more checks.
Further information
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and BuyAssociation have extensive, independent information on buying property overseas. You can watch new video guide here Buy Association FCO Video
Prospective buyers may also wish to check out the following websites .
Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Turkey All Estates Consultancy Federation
Turkish Ministry of Interior
Important
Please note that the British Government cannot become involved in private legal disputes, provide legal advice or assistance or investigate crimes. If you experience problems involving the purchase of property in Turkey you are recommended to engage a lawyer to act on your behalf and to seek legal redress through the courts or, if necessary, to lodge a complaint with the police of public prosecutor.
Importing and driving cars
Bringing your car as a visitor
If you are travelling through Turkey, en route to another country or just visiting,you need to get a visa/permit for your vehicle on entry and you must ensure that you have all the documentation for your car eg registration papers, full insurance, a carnet de passage and your driving licence. You can only keep your car in Turkey for 180 days in one year. You will be fined and even your car can be confiscated if you fail to do so.
Bringing your car as a resident
You may temporarily import your car to Turkey if you fulfill some requirements. You can find detailed information on the Turkish Touring & Automobile Club website.
Driving licenses
If you drive in Turkey, you must have either an International Driving Permit or a notarised copy (in Turkish) of your UK driving licence. Provisional driving licences are not recognised.
You will need an ‘A’ category standard motorcycle licence to hire a motorcycle over 50cc in Turkey. An ‘A1’ category ‘light motorcycle’ driving licence is only suitable for motorcycles below 50cc. By law you must wear a helmet. Failure to do so could result in a heavy fine.
Traffic accidents
The following is a step-by-step guide on what to do if you are involved in a traffic accident in Turkey.
From 1 April 2008 it is no longer necessary to call the police to the scene of an accident in the following circumstances:
when the accident involves two or more vehicles
where there is only material damage to vehicles
when no one is injured or killed
where all concerned parties agree to the cause and who is liable for the accident and providing each driver completes and signs the Traffic Accident Form, including witnesses if any.
you should then submit the form to your insurance company who will use the form in conjunction with the other insurance companies concerned to settle liability.
In the event of a serious accident or if an agreement cannot be reached in a minor accident, you should immediately call 155 for Traffic Police assistance and follow the guide below:
do not move your vehicle from the point of impact unless invited to do so by the traffic police or gendarme
it is not advisable to accept an offer of financial settlement from the other parties involved: wait for the police to arrive
once the police arrive you will be breathalysed and asked to produce your driving license and logbook. A preliminary report of the accident will be compiled by the police at the scene of the accident. * only when this report has been made should you move your vehicle
the police can take several hours to arrive at the scene of an accident: do not move your vehicle
it’s essential to obtain the result of the breathalyser test and the official police report in order to make a successful insurance claim: you will be asked to collect this within three days from the District Police Station
the Turkish Motor Insurers’ Bureau has information on what to do in the event of an accident involving a foreign car
Mobile phones
Short-term visitors can use their UK mobile in Turkey during short stays if they have set up international roaming before you arrive. You can choose one of these network operators; Avea, Turkcell, Vodafone.
Residents and long-term visitors
Foreign residents are entitled to bring one mobile phone into Turkey within two calendar years for use during their stay in Turkey. The phone must be registered within one month of arrival to Turkey. You will pay some taxes when registering your mobile phone.
It is necessary to register the mobile phones in order to use them with a SIM card bought from a Turkish network operator. (In order to use such a mobile phone with a SIM card bought in Turkey from a Turkish network operator, the mobile phone number assigned to the SIM card needs to be correlated with the IMEI number of the mobile phone. The handset can only be registered with one line. Phones not registered in this way will be blocked and unable to receive or make calls.)
No customs documents are required for the registration of mobile phones.
Mobile phones to be brought into Turkey are to be registered with the Telecommunication Institution or with the mobile phone shops of Turkish Network Operators (Avea, Turkcell or Vodafone).
Documents required for the registration of mobile phones are:
passport (Identity details indicated on the passport)
residency permit
copies of all Turkish entry/exit stamps in the passport
No more than one mobile phone per person can be registered in two calendar years.
Emergency numbers in Turkey
fire 110
ambulance 112
police 155
traffic 154
gendarme 156
coast security 158
forest fire 177
tourism 170
security 174
health 184
water breakdown 185
electric breakdown 186
Ex-pat Websites & Online Newspapers in English
Ex-pat Community Groups
For general information on living and working in Turkey, you can consult any of the following websites for expats
• Expats Turkey
• My Merhaba
• Expat Blog
• Easy Expat
Online Newspapers in English
Stay up to date with local and international news
• Hurriyet Daily News
• Todays Zaman
• TRT World
• Anatolian Agency
• Land of Lights (Fethiye)
• Fethiye Times
• Didim Today
• Voices (Didim)
• Kalkan News