Bringing Foreign Vehicles from Abroad in 2024 – FAQ (Everything)

admin·27/01/2024·Guide, Featured, Life in Turkey, Question, Residence Permit, Student·15 min·

Learn all the details about bringing foreign vehicles to Turkey from abroad in 2024. 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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.

Exit Turkey	Enter Turkey	Time Abroad	Transportation Mode
07.03.2022	05.06.2022	90 days	Airline
15.09.2022	14.12.2022	90 days	Railway
21.01.2023	07.03.2023	45 days	Highway
Total		225 days

Question: How can I access my entry and exit information for dormitories?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?Answer: 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?

Answer: For vehicles exceeding their stay in 2024, fines are imposed as follows:

- Exceeding by 1 month: 1.656 TL
- Exceeding by 2 months: 3.312 TL
- Exceeding by 3 months: 4.968 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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?

Answer: 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 brought back to Turkey after the full permitted period has been used?

Answer: After using the entire permit period, a person cannot bring the same or a different vehicle back to Turkey without staying abroad for 185 days. A 185-day stay abroad is necessary to bring a vehicle again.

Question: Can an expired vehicle re-enter and stay in Turkey for another 730 days if it exits and re-enters the border?

Answer: It is not possible to bring an expired vehicle back into Turkey without staying abroad for 185 days.

Question: Can a vehicle with an expired permit be brought back to Turkey under a new owner?

Answer: The transaction depends on the new owner’s period of stay abroad. If the new owner resides abroad, they are allowed to bring a vehicle.

Question: Can the owner of a vehicle who has stayed in Turkey for 730 days travel to Turkey without their vehicle?

Answer: There are no customs restrictions on the length of stay in Turkey without a vehicle.

Question: Are there any age restrictions for vehicles brought under touristic conveniences?

Answer: There are no age restrictions for vehicles brought to Turkey under touristic conveniences, as per customs legislation.

Question: Is there any restriction on bringing right-hand drive vehicles under touristic conveniences?

Answer: According to Article 30 of the Highway Traffic Regulation, there are no restrictions on bringing right-hand drive vehicles under touristic conveniences.

Question: Is it possible to bring a rented vehicle to Turkey? What is the allowed duration?

Answer: Individuals residing outside the Turkish Customs Territory can bring rented vehicles to Turkey. The duration allowed for rented vehicles cannot exceed the period specified in the rental agreement, and it should not surpass the 730-day limit, depending on the person’s citizenship and residence.

Question: Is it possible to leave the vehicle in Turkey while traveling abroad?

Answer: To leave a vehicle in Turkey and go abroad, one must apply to the nearest customs office and follow one of these procedures:

- Deliver the vehicle to the customs office.
- Submit a signed commitment in two copies to the customs administration upon each exit, confirming that the vehicle will not be used by anyone else, as per the format in Annex 7 of the Communiqué. Failure to perform these procedures during passport transactions will result in being directed to the customs office before completing passport procedures. It’s important to apply to the nearest customs office before leaving the country without the vehicle to avoid issues.

Question: What is the penalty for leaving the vehicle abroad without informing customs?

Answer: Individuals who leave the country without placing their vehicles under customs control or obtaining permission from customs with a commitment, if unable to justify their actions, are subject to a fine under Article 238 of the Customs Law for each departure until the date of detection.

Question: If one travels abroad without their vehicle, does this time count towards the vehicle’s stay in Turkey?

Answer: If one goes abroad without leaving the vehicle under customs control, the vehicle’s stay period in Turkey continues to count.

Question: How long can a vehicle temporarily left at a customs office or Trustee’s parking lot remain there?

Answer: Vehicles left at the customs administration or the Trustee’s parking lot can stay under customs supervision for a period of one month, starting from the date of delivery. An extension request for another three months can be made to the relevant customs office. If the vehicle is not collected within this period or no extension request is made, and there are no ongoing judicial or administrative proceedings, liquidation provisions will apply to the vehicle.

Question: Can a vehicle imported under touristic conveniences be left at customs?

Answer: The vehicle can be left at the customs office by submitting a petition to the nearest customs office. Any legally accrued taxes and penalties related to the vehicle must be paid before leaving it at customs.

Question: Can a vehicle brought to Turkey under touristic conveniences be sold there?

Answer: A vehicle temporarily imported under touristic conveniences cannot be sold to anyone, whether they are a resident in Turkey or not.

Question: Can a vehicle, which has been taken abroad after using the entire period, be brought back to Turkey by the owner’s spouse/children/parents/friends without staying abroad for 185 days?

Answer: To bring the vehicle back to Turkey by proxy, a stay abroad for at least 185 days is required.

Question: Is entry allowed if the vehicle’s insurance is not valid in Turkey?

Answer: A valid insurance policy is required for vehicle entry into Turkey. If the vehicle lacks insurance or it’s not valid in Turkey, an insurance policy can be obtained from the nearest location to the customs office.

Question: What procedures are done by the customs administration when leaving the vehicle abroad or at the customs office?

Answer: The vehicle’s entry record in the computer is closed, and the “vehicle exists” stamp in the passport is cancelled.

Question: Where can I find the relevant legislation?

Answer: The relevant legislation can be accessed at http://ggm.gtb.gov.tr/mevzuat/tebligler/gecici-ithalat.

Foreign Vehicles Temporary Entry Card and Form

Question: What are the Foreign Vehicles Temporary Entry Card (YTGGK) and Form (YTGGF)?

Answer: The Foreign Vehicles Temporary Entry Form is a document issued by customs against a security for personal use land vehicles registered in the name of dual national Turkish citizens, persons residing outside the Turkish Customs Territory, who come to Turkey for a specific period for duty or study, or retired foreigners with temporary residence permits.

Question: Can foreigners coming to Turkey for work or study bring a vehicle temporarily under YTGGK and YTGGF?

Answer: Foreigners residing outside the Turkish Customs Territory, except dual national Turkish citizens, coming to Turkey for a specific period to work or study, can temporarily import their personal use vehicles. These vehicles can be brought during the period of work or study. However, these individuals must meet the residency abroad requirement and continuously work or study from the date they start in Turkey.

Question: Can retirees also bring a vehicle temporarily under YTGGK and YTGGF?

Answer: Retired foreigners with a temporary residence permit in Turkey, except dual national Turkish citizens and Blue Card holders, can bring their foreign-registered vehicles. Blue Card holders, who can reside indefinitely in Turkey without a residence permit, do not have this right.

Question: Can foreigners retired from Turkey bring a vehicle temporarily under YTGGK and YTGGF?

Answer: No. Foreigners who are not retired from abroad do not have the right to bring a vehicle under this scope.

Question: Do foreigners who start working in Turkey after arriving have the right to bring a vehicle temporarily under YTGGK and YTGGF?

Answer: To bring a foreign-registered vehicle temporarily for registration, individuals must meet the residency abroad requirement as of the date they start working or studying in Turkey.

Example 1: A foreigner who arrived in Turkey on 18.10.2022 and started working on 18.08.2023 does not have the right to bring a vehicle, as they were resident in Turkey for 304 days in the year prior to starting work.
Example 2: A foreigner who arrived in Turkey on 18.10.2022 and started working on 15.02.2023 can bring a vehicle under YTGGK and YTGGF, as they were resident abroad for 245 days in the year prior to starting work.

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