Official guide prepared by the Turkish Ministry of Trade Customs General Directorate. Everything you need to know about bringing your foreign-plated vehicle to Turkey: residency requirements, documents, duration limits, and penalties.
Persons residing abroad may temporarily import one foreign-plated land vehicle registered in their name into Turkey. Additionally, EU and EFTA residents may also import vehicles registered in their name from other EU/EFTA member states (not necessarily their country of residence).
Important Restriction
Citizens returning to Turkey permanently cannot bring foreign-plated vehicles under temporary import. Foreign residency must be established before the entry date.
To qualify as a foreign resident, you must have spent at least 185 days outside Turkey in the 12-month period preceding your entry date. These days do not need to be consecutive — discontinuous periods are counted. The calculation is based on passport entry/exit records from the National Police database and covers exactly 365 days backwards from the planned entry date.
For an entry planned on 07.03.2023, the calculation period is 07.03.2022 – 07.03.2023:
| Period | Transport | Days |
|---|---|---|
| 07.03.2022 – 05.06.2022 | Air | 90 |
| 15.09.2022 – 14.12.2022 | Rail | 90 |
| 21.01.2023 – 07.03.2023 | Road | 45 |
| Total (≥185 ✓) | 225 | |
Self-Check Available
Before traveling, verify your residency status at e-Government portal: search for 'Yurt Dışında Yerleşiklik Sorgulama'.
Persons who have retired from abroad are exempt from the 185-day requirement for their first vehicle entry after retirement. They may utilize their remaining 730-day allowance on subsequent entries if within the permitted period.
| Category | Duration |
|---|---|
| Foreign residents (residing abroad) | 2 years (730 days) max |
| Foreigners with Turkish residence permit | Up to 730 days (≤ permit duration) |
| Foreign nationals WITHOUT Turkish residence permit | 90 days per 180-day window |
| Corporate vehicles with power of attorney | Up to 90 days |
| Leased vehicles | Per lease contract (max 730 days) |
EU, EFTA, or UK/Northern Ireland residents whose previous allocation is fully used OR who cannot meet the 185-day requirement on the current entry may be granted a one-month grace period. This benefit:
You may bring another person's vehicle to Turkey using a power of attorney, provided both the vehicle owner and the operator reside abroad and meet the 185-day requirement. The vehicle must be registered in the operator's country of residence (exception: EU/EFTA residents). Maximum duration granted is 90 days.
Departing without customs inspection or a valid non-use declaration will trigger a fine of 6,624 TL (2024 rate) at passport control.
| Violation | Fine (2024) |
|---|---|
| Export within 1 month after permit expiration | 1,656 TL |
| Export within 2 months after permit expiration | 3,312 TL |
| Export within 3 months after permit expiration | 4,968 TL |
| Departing without customs inspection or declaration | 6,624 TL |
| Using vehicle for unauthorized purpose / leasing / lending | 1/4 of tariff duties |
| Unauthorized person operating the vehicle | Individual fines for both operator and permit holder |
* Fines are adjusted annually per Tax Procedure Law Article 213 revaluation index. Figures shown are 2024 rates.
The pre-notification system allows you to submit your travel information up to 15 days before crossing the border, significantly speeding up customs processing.
Foreign Residency Query
Check if you meet the 185-day requirement
Border Entry/Exit Document Query
View your passport entry/exit records
Vehicle Pre-Notification System
Submit pre-notification to expedite customs
Non-Use Declaration
Submit declaration when departing without vehicle
Ministry of Trade FAQ
Official frequently asked questions page
Ministry of Trade Call Center
+90 312 444 8 482
Common questions about foreign-plated vehicles in Turkey
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