Bringing Foreign Vehicles from Abroad in 2025 – FAQ (Everything)

مشرف·27/01/2024·مرشد, متميز, الحياة في تركيا, سؤال, تصريح الإقامة, طالب·15 min·

Learn all the details about bringing foreign vehicles to Turkey from abroad in 2025. Check all the questions and get your answers.

Touristic Conveniences for Foreign Vehicles

Question: Who is eligible to import a vehicle from abroad for touristic purposes?إجابة: As per the Council of Ministers Decision dated 29/9/2009, No. 2009/15481, individuals residing outside Turkey’s Customs Territory can temporarily import vehicles registered in their name at their place of residence for touristic purposes.
Question: What defines a resident abroad?إجابة: A resident abroad typically has been outside Turkey for at least 185 days in the past year, counting back from the date they wish to enter Turkey.
Question: Is staying abroad for 185 days sufficient to be considered a resident abroad?إجابة: No. The individual must have a residence abroad. Turkish citizens working on ships, temporarily at construction sites, or staying in hotels, despite being abroad for 185 days in the last year, are not considered residents abroad as they don’t have an established residence there.
Question: How is the 185-day period calculated?إجابة: The 185-day period for residing abroad is calculated using a program that checks passport entry and exit records from the General Directorate of Security. The program calculates the duration of stay in and outside of Turkey for the past year (365 days) from the date of entry into Turkey. For example, for someone entering Turkey at Kapıkule Border Gate on 07.03.2023, the period from 07.03.2022 to 07.03.2023 is considered. The person is deemed a resident abroad if they have stayed more than 185 days abroad. This calculation includes all entries and exits by sea, air, land, or rail, with or without a vehicle. The table below illustrates that the 185 days abroad need not be continuous.

غادر تركيا	Enter Turkey	الوقت بالخارج	Transportation Mode
07.03.2022	05.06.2022	90 days	شركة طيران
15.09.2022	14.12.2022	90 days	سكة حديدية
21.01.2023	07.03.2023	45 days	الطريق السريع
المجموع		225 يوم

Question: How can I access my entry and exit information for dormitories?إجابة: Turkish citizens can check their entry and exit records using their Turkish passports at turkiye.gov.tr. Additionally, individuals can calculate their time spent abroad based on the entry and exit dates in their passports.
Question: Can retirees living abroad bring a vehicle to Turkey without staying abroad for 185 days?إجابة: Retirees from outside the Turkish Customs Territory are exempt from the 185-day abroad requirement when bringing a land vehicle to Turkey for personal use for the first time after their retirement.
Question: Are there any restrictions on the country from which the vehicle can be imported?إجابة: The vehicle must be registered in the country of residence. However, individuals residing in European Union and European Free Trade Union countries can bring vehicles registered in their name in any EU or EFTA country, not just their country of residence. For instance, a resident of Germany can temporarily bring a vehicle purchased from France to Turkey.
Question: Can a resident of Turkey who doesn’t meet the residency requirement bring and use a vehicle from Georgia for 2 years?إجابة: Residents of Turkey cannot import vehicles from abroad. Some websites and car dealerships misleadingly claim that Turkish citizens can use luxury vehicles purchased from abroad at low costs without issues, but this is against Customs regulations. Such unauthorized uses are detected by Ministry of Interior, and penalties are applied, including the requirement to export the vehicles.
Question: How long can vehicles imported for touristic purposes stay in Turkey?إجابة: Vehicles belonging to foreigner residence permit holders, dual citizens, or blue card holders (including retirees) residing outside the Turkish Customs Territory can stay in Turkey for up to 730 days.
Question: Is the 730-day period also applicable to vehicles owned by foreigners?إجابة: The duration for vehicles owned by foreign nationals (excluding blue card holders) cannot exceed their stay in Turkey. Those without a residence permit are allowed 90 days within 180 days. For example, a Georgian citizen entering Turkey with an ID card can only have their vehicle stay for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days. For foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey, the vehicle’s stay may extend up to the period specified in the residence permit, but not more than 730 days.
Question: Will vehicles owned by legal entities be allowed a 730-day stay?إجابة: Vehicles (cars, minibuses, land vehicles, pickup trucks, and motorcycles) belonging to legal entities, if brought into Turkey under a power of attorney, are allowed a period of up to 90 days.
Question: Can individuals who have used the entire 730-day period or who do not meet the residency requirement enter Turkey with a vehicle?إجابة: Those who have used the entire 730-day period or do not meet the residency requirement cannot bring a vehicle until they fulfill the conditions. However, residents of EU and EFTA countries can bring land vehicles registered in these countries for personal use for a period of one month, once a year.

Question: What penalties apply if the allowed time for a vehicle imported under touristic facilities is exceeded?

إجابة: For vehicles exceeding their stay in 2025, fines are imposed as follows:

- Exceeding by 1 month: 2.168 TL
- Exceeding by 2 months: 4.512 TL
- Exceeding by 3 months: 6.856 TL If the vehicle overstays by more than 3 months, a fine equal to one quarter of the vehicle’s customs tax amount is levied, as per Article 238 of Customs Law No. 4458.

Question: What documents are required for vehicles brought under touristic facilities?

إجابة: Required documents include the vehicle’s ownership document (or a valid power of attorney/rental agreement if not owned by the entrant), the driver’s license, an insurance policy valid in Turkey, the entrant’s passport (or official ID depending on the country), a Turkish-translated pension certificate (for retirees from abroad) approved by a consulate or embassy, and a notarized or consular-approved Turkish translation document proving company partnership or employment for those bringing vehicles belonging to legal entities.

Question: What is a pre-declaration?

إجابة: Pre-declaration allows individuals living abroad to submit their and their vehicle’s information to customs gates via mobile phones, tablets, or computers before traveling. This can be done through the Ministry’s website https://uygulama.gtb.gov.tr/Tasit1OnBeyan/ or the e-Government Gateway [https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/gtb-tasit-on-beyan]. This system speeds up customs procedures and minimizes waiting times.

Question: Is a vehicle imported under touristic conveniences recorded in the passport?

إجابة: Yes, vehicles brought under touristic facilities are recorded in the passport, and the duration of their stay is tracked against the passport’s validity.

Question: Is there a fee for these customs transactions?

إجابة: No fee is charged by the customs administration for these transactions.

Question: Can residents of Turkey (not residing abroad) temporarily import a vehicle from abroad?

إجابة: It is not possible for residents of Turkey to temporarily import a vehicle from abroad.

Question: Can individuals who permanently move to Turkey or return after an official assignment abroad import a vehicle under touristic conveniences?

إجابة: Individuals who have moved their residence to Turkey due to overseas assignments, studies, work, etc., cannot import foreign-licensed vehicles for 2 years under touristic facilities.

Question: Can a resident of Turkey (not residing abroad) drive a vehicle brought by a relative/friend/spouse living abroad?

إجابة: Residents of Turkey are not allowed to use vehicles imported under touristic facilities. If detected, separate penalties are imposed on both the vehicle owner and the unauthorized user under Article 238 of Customs Law No. 4458, and the vehicle is required to be exported.

Question: Who besides the rightful owner (the owner or their proxy) can use a vehicle imported under touristic facilities in Turkey?

إجابة: A vehicle imported under touristic facilities can be used by the spouse, parents, and children of the owner or proxy, provided they reside outside the Turkish Customs Territory and the owner is in Turkey. The owner need not be in the vehicle during its use. However, when the owner is abroad, the vehicle must remain parked in Turkey and cannot be used by anyone, including family members.

Question: Can a person living abroad enter Turkey with a vehicle registered in another person’s name?

إجابة: A person living abroad can bring a vehicle as a proxy for the owner. Both the proxy and the vehicle’s owner must reside outside the Turkish Customs Territory and meet the 185-day condition. For proxy-imported vehicles, a valid power of attorney must be presented to customs at entry.

Question: Can a person living abroad bring a vehicle registered to a legal entity abroad into Turkey?

إجابة: Vehicles registered to a company abroad can only be brought into Turkey by employees or partners of the company who reside abroad.

Question: What qualifies as a valid proxy document?

إجابة: Valid proxy documents include:

- Power of attorney approved by an embassy, consulate, or notary public.
- Power of attorney issued and approved by customs if both the proxy and owner are present at the entrance customs offices.
- Documents prepared and approved by official authorities like customs, municipalities, police, and courts in the relevant country.
- Documents issued by member automobile organizations of the International Touring Alliance (AIT) or the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
- Power of attorney containing the signature and approval of the company owner or board of directors for vehicles belonging to auto companies and other legal entities.
- Documents like rental agreements for rented vehicles.

Question: Can a person residing in Turkey (not abroad) bring a vehicle belonging to a relative/friend/spouse living abroad into Turkey by proxy?

إجابة: A person residing in Turkey cannot temporarily import a vehicle belonging to someone abroad, even by proxy.

Question: Can foreign spouses living in Turkey import a vehicle?

إجابة: Foreign spouses must have been abroad for 185 days to import a vehicle. Nationality is irrelevant; the key factor is whether the person resides abroad.

Question: Can individuals who have renounced Turkish citizenship or are dual citizens import a vehicle under touristic conveniences?

إجابة: Nationality does not impact the ability to import a vehicle under touristic conveniences. Residency abroad is the only requirement.

Question: Can vehicles registered to a company abroad and imported under touristic conveniences be used for head office/branch/agency activities in Turkey?

إجابة: Vehicles imported under touristic conveniences cannot be used in head office, branch, or agency activities in Turkey. They can only be used by the person who imported them and their spouse, parents, or family residing abroad.

Question: Can dual passport holders bring more than one vehicle to Turkey?

إجابة: Under temporary import provisions for touristic conveniences, only one vehicle with a foreign license plate can be brought into Turkey for personal use. Entries and exits with both Turkish and foreign passports are considered together.

Question: Is it possible to bring a trailer or non-motorized caravan along with the vehicle?

إجابة: A trailer or non-motorized caravan can be brought along with the land vehicle for personal use.

Question: Can someone re-enter Turkey with the same or a different vehicle before staying abroad for 185 days, if they previously left Turkey with their vehicle before the end of the permitted period?

إجابة: If individuals leave Turkey with their vehicle before using the entire temporary import permit period and meet the residency abroad requirement, they can re-enter with the vehicle and use the remaining permit period. The 185-day abroad requirement must be met for each entry. However, retirees who leave Turkey with their vehicle before using the entire permit period can re-enter with their vehicle to use the remaining permit period without the 185-day requirement, provided it is within the permit period.

Question: When can a vehicle be