How Can You Bring a Car to Turkey from Abroad?

There are two options for bringing vehicles to Turkey. The first option is that you can come to Turkey by car. Another option is that you may want to transfer a vehicle after arriving in Turkey to bring the vehicle to your home, or you may have given someone power of attorney.

in 2021, more than 30 million tourists visited Turkey. This number is double that of the previous year. Many tourists in Turkey are offered public transport options such as buses, high-speed trains, and airplanes.

However, traveling by private car is always more comfortable and fun. If you want to travel to Turkey by car, we have prepared a guide for you on how to bring your car to Turkey.

Foreigners can come to Turkey in their vehicles or bring their vehicles. To bring your car to Turkey, it must first be registered in your name in the country of residence. However, citizens of European Union member states can bring vehicles from other European Union countries.

If you want to bring a car from your country to Turkey, there are several conditions that you must fulfill. These;

• You must have been in your country for at least 185 days in the previous year.
• You must have a driver's license and a residence permit in your country.
• You must have valid insurance in Turkey.

Vehicles with foreign license plates can be used in Turkey for a maximum of 24 months. At the end of this process, the vehicles must leave Turkey. Another important point is that the owner of the car from abroad must use it or be inside the car. Otherwise, legal action may be taken.

If you are planning to bring your car to Turkey, there are situations that you should know about. These;

• The obligation to stay abroad for 185 days is checked by customs officers every time you enter the country. Your login & login information are turkiye.gov.tr you can also track it yourself via the address.
• Turkish citizens who return to Turkey for good cannot bring their vehicles abroad to Turkey. Because the place of residence now appears to be Turkey.
• Turkish citizens residing abroad or foreign persons residing in Turkey can use their vehicles with a foreign license plate for 2 years (730 days) without paying any costs.
• Foreigners residing in Turkey can use their vehicles in Turkey until their residence period expires (provided that it does not exceed 730 days).
• Persons who do not have a residence permit in Turkey can keep their vehicles in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
• Vehicles of legal entities brought by proxy (cars, minibusses, motorcycles, etc.) the time allowed for it is 30 days.
• The period given to the rented vehicles is the same as the rental agreement, provided that it does not exceed 730 days, depending on the person's residence and citizenship.
• Vehicles with foreign license plates can be used by first-degree relatives of the car owner. (As long as they prove it and are registered)
• Except for the first-degree relatives of the vehicle owner, no one other than the vehicle owner can use the vehicle. (Even the power of attorney)
• If you are going to leave your car in Turkey and go abroad, you must submit it to the nearest customs office.
• Vehicles with foreign license plates cannot be sold to different people in Turkey.

Note: The periods given for the vehicles can be used at one time or in parts.

• There are criminal sanctions if the registered parts of the vehicle from abroad are replaced without permission from the customs offices. The repair of vehicles in need of accidental repair is carried out by supervision at a place that the customs offices deem appropriate as a result of the request of the car owners or authorized persons.
• Citizens of the European Union countries are given 30 days for vehicles registered in their names.
• Persons who own a car in Turkey cannot benefit from this period given. Persons who have taken advantage of the 30 days provided must prove that they are citizens of a country that is a member of the European Union.
• For people who have retired abroad, there is no obligation to be abroad for 185 days.
• If retired persons who have left the country before the expiration of the 730 days in Turkey want to re-enter Turkey, they can enter without the requirement of being abroad for 185 days.
• If people residing abroad want to re-enter Turkey by car within 185 days, they can log in by reducing the previous period from 730 days.
• If people who do not have a residence permit or a turquoise card want to re-enter Turkey with their vehicle within 185 days, they can enter by reducing the previous period from 90 days.

Documents required to bring vehicles to Turkey from abroad;

• Vehicle license showing the country and address where it is registered
• Driver's license of the car owner
• Document indicating the address of residence, depending on the situation (passport, ID, residence permit)
• Valid insurance policy in Turkey
• A person's passport or a document that can replace a passport
• A pension certificate approved by the consulate or embassy translated into Turkish for retired persons
• Power of attorney or rental agreement, depending on the situation
• A document with a Turkish translation certified by a notary or consulate indicating that the persons who will bring vehicles belonging to a legal entity are partners or employees of the company

Note: There is no charge for customs registration of vehicles.

Note: No more than 15 days before the departure date, the vehicle owner completes the Vehicle Pre-Declaration Application online via E-Government, E-Transactions. Thus, transactions are completed in a short time at the customs gate.

Shipping a Car to Turkey to Bring a Car Belonging to Someone Else from Abroad to Turkey

The vehicle owner or the agent who wants to bring the vehicle must meet the requirement of residence abroad. Next, the car must be registered at the address of residence abroad. Or, if someone else's car will be brought to Turkey with a rental agreement;

• A power of attorney is required at the embassy, consulate, notarized, or accepted by the customs administration. Or the car owner must also be present at the customs entrance.
• A document issued by natural persons certified by official bodies such as customs, municipal, security, or court is required.
• If the car is rented, a rental agreement obtained from the rental company is required.
• For vehicles belonging to legal entities, a document indicating that the person who will bring the vehicle is a partner or employee of the company, or a power of attorney with the signature and approval of the board of directors is required.
• Notarized or consular certified translations of these documents must also be submitted to the customs.

Q: Do I need an international driver's license (IDP) to drive in Turkey?

A: No, it is not necessary. You can drive a car in Turkey for 6 months with the driver's license you use in your country. If you plan to stay longer, you should apply for a driver's license in Turkey.

Q: What is the cheapest way to bring vehicles from abroad?

A: It depends on your country and how you will bring your car. However, upon arrival in Turkey, there is no charge during the customs application.

Q: What is the best way to bring vehicles from abroad?

A: It depends on the location of your country. If you are going to bring your car from an overseas country, sea transportation may be the best way. On the other hand, you can also bring it yourself from nearby countries.

Q: Is it safe to drive in Turkey?

A: Yes, almost every road has traffic signs and traffic cameras to ensure safety.

Q: Is it easy to drive in Turkey?

A: As long as you follow the traffic rules, yes. Traffic signs are located on the roads to inform you. In addition, Turkey has many new ways to October easy access all parts of the country.

Source: Gordion Partners Investment. "How Can You Bring a Car to Turkey from Abroad?" https://www.investment.com.tr/2022/07/29/how-can-you-bring-a-car-to-turkey-from-abroad/