A vehicle with a foreign license plate is issued an entry visa for a maximum of 6 months, after 6 months the vehicle must leave the country. The vehicle, together with the owner, must remain abroad for 6 months in order to re-enter.

As the case may be, Section 238 of the Customs Law No. 4458 and Section 3/9 of the Anti-Smuggling Law No. 5607 clarify who and how can use vehicles with foreign license plates.

• vehicles with foreign license plates can only be used by the vehicle owner, spouse, parents or children of the vehicle owner whose place of residence is outside the customs territory of Turkey.

• in addition, it is allowed to be used by others, provided that the owner of the vehicle is also in the vehicle during the trip.

• the owners of these vehicles cannot leave their vehicles to anyone else by providing a power of attorney.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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1. How can I bring a car from abroad as a tourist?

According to the General Communiqué on Customs for Land Vehicles for Personal and Commercial Use, you must be a resident abroad in order to temporarily import vehicles from abroad as part of a tourist.

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2. What does it mean to be a resident abroad?

If a person stays outside of Turkey for more than 185 days during the year, he is considered a resident abroad and can bring the vehicle as part of a tourist.

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3. Is the calendar year taken as a basis when calculating 1 year / how is the calculation made?

When calculating for 1 year, the calculation is made by going back 1 year from the date of the person's arrival in Turkey and considering the situation for the last 1 year. (For example, if a person applied to enter Turkey on 04/05/2022, it is checked where he/she stayed for 1 year between 04/05/2021 and 04/05/2022).

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4. How much time is allowed for vehicles to be imported as part of a tourist?

The maximum time a person can stay in Turkey with their vehicle is 6 months (180 days). For pensioners, a special agreement is provided and a period of 1 year is provided. These periods are granted if the person and his vehicle are abroad for 185 consecutive days.

If you want to enter Turkey without staying abroad for 185 days without a break, the remaining time is given by calculating as described in the 3rd question and subtracting the periods of stay of a person in Turkey.

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5. What happens if I overstay the deadline for my car that I am taking as a tourist?

 In accordance with sections 238 and 241 of the Customs Law No. 4458, criminal proceedings will be initiated against you for smuggling.

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6. What documents do I need to present for the temporary import of vehicles as a tourist?

It is necessary to present a certificate of ownership of the vehicle (a valid power of attorney if the vehicle does not belong to the person who will enter), an insurance policy valid in Turkey belonging to the vehicle, the passport of the person importing the car. Retirees also need documents showing they retired with a Turkish translation approved by the consulate.

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7. What is accepted as a power of attorney?

• power of attorney approved by an embassy, consulate or notary. 

• if the person carrying the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle are present at the customs authorities of entry, a power of attorney issued by these persons between themselves and approved by the customs authorities.

• documents issued by individuals among themselves and approved by the official authorities of the respective country, such as customs, municipalities, police and courts.

• documents issued by the automobile associations of the member countries of the International Touring Alliance (AIT) and the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

• a power of attorney for vehicles owned by car companies and other legal entities containing the signature and approval of the owner of the company or the board of directors.

• lease agreements can also be accepted if the vehicle is a rental vehicle. Here I will add on my own that additional documents may be required and this document may not always be accepted.

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8. Does the vehicle I bring have to be registered in my passport?

Yes. Vehicles imported as part of a tourist import are recorded in your passport.

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9. Do I have to pay for importation?

There is no charge for importing a vehicle as part of a tourist.

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10. I live in Turkey, can I bring a temporary vehicle from abroad?

A person residing in Turkey cannot temporarily import vehicles from abroad. (see question 2) 

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