» First Visit Info
Frontier Formalities
Passports and Visas (www.mfa.gov.tr)
 1) Nationals of the following countries can enter Turkey with a valid passport; a visa is not required:
a) Up to 3 Months
Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Granada, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Iceland, Iran, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St. Lucia, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Vatican City and Uruguay.
b) Up to 2 Months
Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republic of Croatia, Indonesia, Macedonia, Romania.
c) Up to 1 Month
Costa Rica, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Maldives and the Republic of South Africa.
2) For the countries mentioned above and Bulgaria, a transit visa is not required, but a transit fee is paid.
3) Nationals of the following countries require a visa:
a) Those from Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Holland, Hong Kong (UK passports), Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S.A. can obtain a multiple-entry sticker visa at border gates for up to 3 months.
b) Those from Albania, Azerbaijan, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, White Russia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia can obtain a sticker visa at border gates for up to 1 month.
c) Nationals of Albania, Georgia, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka can obtain a visa for up to 15 days at border gates. Nationals of Sri Lanka must also acquire a letter of recommendation from the honorary Turkish consul in Colombo.
d) Nationals of all other countries require a visa, which can be obtained from the nearest Turkish embassy or consulate.
Note: Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldavia, Russian Federation, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and White Russia may also use their Turkish visa sticker in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC).
Citizens of Germany, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, Malta, Switzerland, and Greece may enter Turkey, and bring their vehicles as well, with the proper identity cards in lieu of a passport.
- The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu), Ulus Ankara,
Tel: (312) 311 79 71-310 38 80, Fax: (312) 309 32 05
Currency Regulations
Limits: There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that may be brought into Turkey, but not more than $5,000 worth of Turkish currency may be brought into or taken out of the country.
Exchange slips: The exchange slips for the conversion of foreign currency into Turkish lira should be kept, since you may be required to show these when reconverting your Turkish lira back into foreign currency, and when taking souvenirs out of the country (to prove that they have been purchased with legally exchanged foreign currency).
Custom Regulations (www.gumruk.gov.tr)
On Entry
a) The following items may be brought into the country duty free:
- personal effects of the tourist.
- one TV, one pocket color TV (maximum 16 cm screen), one TV-tape-radio combination, one video recording camera and 5 video cassettes (blank); 5 records, 5 tape cassettes or compact discs.
- one video player, cine-projector (8 mm) and 10 rolls of film (blank), one slide projector.
- one pocket computer (maximum main memory capacity Ram 128k.), electronic playing devices (without cassette - keyboard).
- one transistor radio and portable radio - tape player (its specification to be determined by the Ministry of Finance and Customs), one walkman or pocket tape recorder, one portable compact disc player.
- binoculars (one pair, except night binoculars)
- harmonica, mandolin, flageolet, flute, guitar, and accordion (only one of each type, maximum 3 musical instruments).
- personal sports equipment.
- necessary medical items.
- bicycle, baby buggy, toys.
- 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars.
- 200 grams of tobacco and 200 cigarette papers, or 50 grams of chewing tobacco, or 200 grams of pipe tobacco, or 200 grams ofsnuff.
(In addition to the above allowances, it is possible to purchase 400 cigarettes, 100 cigars, and 500 grams of pipe tobacco from the Turkish Duty Free Shops upon entering the country). —1.5 kg. coffee, 1.5 kg. instant coffee, 500 grams of tea.
- 1 kilo chocolate and 1 kilo sweets.
- 5 (100 cc) or 7 (70 cc) bottles of wine and/or spirits.
- five bottles of perfume (120 ml max. each).
- one portable typewriter.
- one camera with 5 rolls of film.
- First aid kit, and spare parts for the car.
- Other items necessary during the journey.
b) Valuable items and all items with a value of over $15,000 must be registered in the owner's passport upon entering Turkey, for control upon exit.
c) Antiques brought into the country must be registered in the owner's passport to avoid difficulties on exit.
d) Sharp instruments (including camping knives) and weapons may not be brought into the country without special permission.
e) The bringing into the country, trade, and consumption of marijuana and all other narcotics is strictly Torbidden and subject to heavy punishment.
f) Gifts, not exceeding 500 DM in value and not for trading purposes, may be brought into the country duty free. In addition, gifts not exceeding 500 DM in value may be posted to Turkey duty free, if the date stamped by the sending post office falls not more than one month before, or one month after one of the following holidays: Şeker Bayrami, Kurban Bayrami or New Year's.
Questions may be directed to the Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu Tel: (312) 311 79 71/512-310 38 80, Fax: (312) 309 32 05
On Exit
a) Gifts and souvenirs: for a new carpet, a proof of purchase; for old items, a certificate from a directorate of a museum is necessary.
b) Exporting items of antiquity from Turkey is forbidden.
c) Valuable personal items can only be taken out of the country providing they have been registered in the owner's passport upon entry, or providing the owner can show they have been purchased with legally exchanged currency.
d) Minerals may only be exported from the country with a special document obtained from:
- MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration), Etudler Dairesi 06520, Ankara. Tel: (312) 287 34 30 (44 Lines), Fax: (312) 287 91 88, www.gumruk.gov.tr
Tax Refund
You Can Receive a Tax Refund for the Goods You Purchased in Turkey!
Travelers who are not resident in Turkey may receive a refund of the Value Added Tax paid on goods purchased in the country.
1. Refunds will be made to travelers who do not reside in Turkey.
2. All goods (including food and drinks) are included in the refunds with the exclusion of services rendered.
3. The minimum amount of purchase that qualifies for refund is 5,000,000 TL.
4. Retailers that qualify for tax refunds must be "authorized for refund." These retailers must display a permit received from their respective lax office.
5. The retailer will make lour copies of the receipt for your refund, three ol which will be given to the purchaser. II photocopies of the receipt are received the retailer must sign and stamp the copies to validate them. If you prefer the refund to be made by check, a Tax-free Shopping Check for the amount to be refunded to the customer must be given along with the receipt.
6. For the purchaser to benefit from this exemption he must leave the country within three months with the goods purchased, showing them to Turkish customs officials along with the appropriate receipts and / or check.
7. There arc four ways to receive your refund:
a. II the retailer gives you a check it can be cashed at a bank in the customs area at the airport.
If it is not possible to cash the check upon departure or if you do not wish to cash it then, the customer must, within one month, send a copy of the receipt showing that the goods have leil the country to the retailer who will, within ten days upon receiving the receipt, send a bank transfer to the purchaser's bank or address.
b. If the certified receipt and check are brought back to the retailer on a subsequent visit within one month of the date of customs certification, the refund can be made directly to the purchaser.
c. Retailers may directly refund the amount to trustworthy customers upon purchase.
d. The refund may be made by the organization of those companies that are authorized to make tax refunds.
Additional information:
- Ministry of Finance and Tax Dept. General Directorate, (Maliye Bakanhgi, Gelirler Genel Mudurlugu) KDV $ubesi 06100, Ulus - Ankara
Tel: (312) 310 38 80, Fax:(312) 311 45 10 - 311 35 20
Health Regulations For Animals
For those who wish to bring domestic animals into the country the following are required:
a) A 'Certificate of Origin' giving the health record of the animal.
b) A 'Certificate of Health', issued not more than 15 days before the animal's entry into the country, stating that the animal is in good health and that it has been vaccinated against rabies.
Note: If you have an official certificate, you may bring one cat, one bird, one dog and 10 aquarium fish into the country.
Motorist Regulations
General: Those who wish to enter the country with their vans, minibuses, automobiles, station wagons, bicycles, motorcycles, motorbikes, sidecars, buses, motor coaches, trailers, caravans or other vehicles, will have to provide the following documentation:
1. Passport.
2. International driving license.
3. Car license (document where all details related to the car and the owner's name are registered). If it is somebody else's vehicle a power of attorney should be provided.
4. International green card (Insurance card). The TR sign should be visible.
5. Transit book "Carnet de passage" (for those who want to proceed to the Middle East). Period: The vehicle can be brought into Turkey for up to 6 Months. The owner should declare on the opposite form, the date of departure at the border gate and should absolutely leave the country by the date declared. If for any important reason the staying period has to be extended, contact:
- The Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (Turkiye Turing ve Olomobil Kurumu) 1. Oto Sanayi Sitesi Calik Cad., 4.Levent, Istanbul, Tel : (212) 282 81 40 (6 lines). Fax : (212) 282 80 42, www.turing.org.tr, or
- The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu), Ulus Ankara
Tel: (312) 31] 79 71-310 38 80, Fax: (312) 309 32 05, before the end of the period declared.
In Case of Accident: The accident should be reported to the police or gendarme. That report has to be certified by the nearest local authority. The owner should go to the customs authority with his passport and report.
If the vehicle can be repaired, it is necessary to inform the customs authority first and then take the vehicle to a garage. If the vehicle is not repairable and if the owner wishes to leave the country without his vehicle, he has to deliver it to the nearest customs office, and the registration of his vehicle on his passport will be cancelled. (Only after the cancellation can the owner of the vehicle leave the country).
Following an accident, you can telephone:
- Trafik Polisi (Traffic Police), Tel : 154,
- Jandarma (Gendarme), Tel : 156.
For more information, contact the Turkish Touring and Automobile Club (See Useful Addresses).
Formalities For Private Yacht Owners
Yachts require a Transit Log and may remain in Turkish waters lor up to two years for maintenance or for wintering. There are certain ports licensed by the Ministry of Tourism for the storage of yachts for a period of two to five years. For further information and regulations contact the marina concerned.
Upon arriving in Turkish waters, yachts should immediately go for control of the ship's log to the nearest port of entry which are as follows: Iskenderun, Botas (Adana), Mersin-lcel, Silifke, Tajucu, Bozyazi, Anamur, Alanya, Antalya, Kemer, Finike, Kas, Fethiye, Marmaris, Datca, Bodrum, Gulluk, Kusadasi, Cesme, Izmir, Dikili, Ayvalik, Akgay, Canakkale, Tekirdag, Bandirma, Mudanya, Gemlik, Derince, Istanbul, Eregli, Zonguldak, Bartm, lnebolu, Sinop, Samsun, Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, Hopa.
Port Formalities: All the required information concerning the yacht, yachtsmen, crew members, intended route, passports, customs declarations, health clearance, and any other obligatory matters must be entered in the Transit Log.
The Transit Log is to be completed by the captain of a yacht under a foreign flag or by an amateur sailor acting as captain of the vessel.
The Transit Log is completed upon first entering a Turkish port and, generally, it is necessary to contact the Harbor Authority before leaving. For information on tax-free fuel, contact the Marina Harbor Office.
For further information on sailing in Turkey see the "Yachting" section.
Note: If you have a certificate from the Tourism Ministry Yacht Harbor, you may take full petrol at no charge, provided you possess an official marina license.
Formalities For Private Plane Owners
General: When coming to Turkey, international air routes should be followed. Private planes may stay for up to three months in Turkey with tourist status, but for longer periods permission should be obtained from;
- The General Directorate of Customs (Gumrukler Genel Mudurlugu), Ulus Ankara,
Tel: (312) 311 79 71-310 38 80, Fax: (312) 309 32 05
The airports of Ankara, Adana, Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Trabzon and Dalaman have facilities for private planes. It is also possible to hire planes and helicopters in Turkey.
For further information, apply to;
- The Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Transport (Ulastirma Bakanhgi, Sivil Havacilik Gen. Mud.). Talatpasa Blv., No : 4, Ankara.
Tel : (312) 215 71 36 - 212 46 35, Fax : (312) 212 46 84
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Emergency Call Numbers
110 - Fire
112 - Medical Emergency
115 - Third-party charges (Int'l)
118 - Directory Assistance
131 - Third-party charges (Inter-city)
135 - Wake-up call
153 - Municipal police (zabita) |
154 - Traffic Police
155 - Police
156 - Gendarme
158 - Coast Guard
177 - Forest Fire Alert
184 - Health Information |
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| City Area Codes |
City
Adana
Adiyaman
Afyon
Agri
Aksaray
Amasya
Ankara
Antalya
Ardahan
Artvin
Aydin
Balikesir
Bartin
Batman
Bayburt
Bilecik
Bingol
Bitlis
Bolu
Burdur
Bursa
Canakkale
Cankiri
Corum
Denizli
Diyarbakir
Duzce
Edirne
Elazig
Erzincan
Erzurum
Eskisehir |
Code
322
416
272
472
382
358
312
242
478
466
256
266
488
378
458
228
426
434
374
248
224
286
376
364
258
412
380
284
424
446
442
222 |
City
Gazi Antep
Giresun
Gumushane
Hakkari
Hatay
Igdir
Isparta
Icel
Istanbul (Europe)
Istanbul (Asia)
Izmir
K. Maras
Karabük
Karaman
Kars
Kastamonu
Kayseri
Kırıkkale
Kirklareli
Kirsehir
Kilis
Kocaeli
Konya
Kutahya
Malatya
Manisa
Mardin
Mugla
Mus |
Code
342
454
456
438
326
476
246
324
212
216
232
344
370
338
474
366
352
318
288
386
348
262
332
274
422
236
482
252
436 |
City
Nevsehir
Nigde
Ordu
Osmaniye
Rize
Sakarya
Samsun
Siirt
Sinop
Sivas
S. Urfa
Sirnak
Tekirdag
Tokat
Trabzon
Tunceli
Usak
Van
Yalova
Yozgat
Zonguldak
N. Cyprus |
Code
384
388
452
328
464
264
362
484
368
346
414
486
282
356
462
428
276
432
226
354
372
392 |
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| Money & Bank Info |
In Turkey, business hours are 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday in Summer.
Here is the some biggest banks web address and phone numbers:
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Monetary System:
The national monetary unit is the Turkish lira (TL). The coinage is in 25.000 and 50.000 and 100.000 lira, 250.000 pieces. Bank notes are of 250.000, 500.000, 1.000.000, 5.000.000, 10.000.000 and 20.000.000 lira.
Here you may find some examples of Turkish Banknotes. These images are just copies of Turkish Banknotes and published here just for information purposes |
20 Million Turkish Liras (11.11 € / 13.33 $) |
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10 Million Turkish Liras (5.55 € / 6.66 $) |
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| Approximately 1 Euro = 1.800.000 Turkish Liras (1 Million 800 Hundred Thousand), 1 US Dollar = 1.500.000 Turkish Liras (1 Million 5 Hundred Thousand) * Also we have 5 Million, 1 Millon and 500 thousand banknotes. And 250 thousand, 100 thousand and 50 thousand coins. |
Festivals - Fairs - Events
(you can find more info in the Turkish Ministry Of Culture web site:www.kultur.gov.tr)
Camel Wrestling Festival - Selcuk
Ankara International Film Festival
1915 Sea Victory Celebration - Canakkale
Istanbul International Film Festival - Istanbul
International Izmir Film Festival
Traditional "Mesir" Festival - Manisa
International Children's Day - Ankara (April 23)
Tourism Fair - Gazi Antep
Tulip Festival - Istanbul
Javelin Games - Erzurum
Ankara International Arts Festival
International Nysa Culture and Art Festival - Sultanhisar
Efes International Festival of Culture & Tourism - Selcuk
Yunus Emre Culture and Art Week - Eskisehir
Aksu Culture & Art Festival - Giresun
International Music and Folklore Festival - Silifke
International Yachting Festival - Marmaris
International Kilim Festival -- U§ak, Esme
Kakava Festivities - Kirklareli
International Asia-Europe Biennial - Ankara
Strawberry Festival - Bartın
International Tea Festival - Rize
International Offshore Races - Istanbul, Izmir
Foca Music, Folklore and Watersports Festival - Foga
Marmaris Festival - Marmaris
Bergama Festival - Bergama
Ataiurk Culture Festival - Amasya
Kafkasor Culture & Art Festival - Artvin
International Kus Cenneti Culture and Tourism Festival - Bandirma
Cesme Sea and Music Festival - Ce§me
International Song Competition - Pamukkale
International Commagene Festival - Kahla
International Volleyball Beach Tournament - Alanya
Finike Festival - Finike
International Wine Competition - Urgup
Tekirdag Cherry Festival
International Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival
International Izmir Festival - Izmir
International Bursa Festival - Bursa
International Art and Culture. Festival - Istanbul
Traditional Kirkpmar Wrestling - Edirne
International Music Festival - Istanbul
Ihlara Tourism and Art Week - Aksaray
International Erzurum Congress - Erzurum
Tourism & Culture Festival - Iskenderun
International Folk Dance Festival - Samsun
Ceramic Festival - Kiitahya
Nasreddin Hoca Festival - Ak§ehir
Hittite Festival - Corum
Manavgat Tourism Festival - Manavgat
Kusadasi Tourism Festival - Kujadasi
Carpet and Rose Festival - Isparta
Egirdir Lake Festival
Nevsehir Festival
Devrek Baston and Culture Festival
Avanos International Handicrafts and Pottery Exhibit
Troy Festival - Canakkale
Insuyu Festival - Burdur
Hacibektas Veli Commemoration Ceremony - Hacibektas.
Pine Grove Ayder Mt. and Archery Festivities - Rize
Handicrafts and Tourism Festival - Avanos
Mengen Chefs' Festival - Bolu
Izmir International Fair - Izmir
Ertugrul Gazi Commemoration Ceremony - Sogut
§eyh Edibali'i Commemoration and Culture Festival - Bilecik
GAP Culture and Art Festival - Gaziantep
Javelin Games - Konya
Kemer Carnival - Kemer
International Meerschaum (White Gold) Festival - Eskisehir
Sivas Culture and Art Week - Sivas
International Grape Harvest Festival - Urgup
International Fair - Mersin
Yagci Bedir Carpet Festival - Stndirgi, Bahkesir
Culture and Art Festival - Diyarbakir
Assos International Art Festiva
Adana Alan Koza Film Festival
Eskisehir International Festiva
Golden Pistachio Festival - Gazi Antep
International Plastic Arts Festival- Istanbu
International Akdeniz Song Contest - Antalya
Mersin Art and Culture Festival - Mersin
Altin Portakal Film Festival - Antalya
Ahi Brotherhood Cultural Week - Kirsehir
International Bodrum Cup - Bodrum
International Gullet Biennial - Bozburun
International Triathlon Competition - Alanya
International Ataturk Dam Sailing Competition - Sanli Urfa
International Eskisehir Festival
International Yacht Race - Marmaris
International St. Nicholas Symposium - Demre, Antalya
Mevlana Commemoration Ceremony - Konya
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January
March
March
April
April
April
April
April
April-May
April-May
April-May
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
May
May-June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June
June-July
June-July
June-July
June-July
June-July
June-July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
July
August
August
August
August
August
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
September
Sept.-Oct.
Sept.-Oct.
Sept.-Oct.
Sept.-Oct.
Sept.-Oct.
October
October
October
October
October
October
October
November
December
December |
» Other Useful Info
Time Zone: GMT + 2 hours
Electricity: The voltage in turkey is 220 volts with a frequency of 50 hertz.
Weight & Measures: The Metric & Kilo system is used.
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