Turkey |
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| Still current at: 02 March 2013
Updated: 20 February 2013 |
| No restrictions in this travel advice | Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country | Avoid all but essential travel to whole country | Avoid all travel to part(s) of country | Avoid all travel to whole country |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with editorial amendments. The overall level of the advice has not changed. The FCO advise against all travel to the Turkish towns of Akḉakale and Ceylanpinar. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to areas within 10km of Turkey's border with Syria and to the provinces of Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
To see an enlarged version of this map, click here (1.09MB).
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
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The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all
travel to the Turkish towns of Akḉakale and Ceylanpinar and against all
but essential travel to areas within 10km of Turkey's border with
Syria. Five Turkish citizens were killed in October 2012 when a shell
fell on the town of Akḉakale. Syrian forces continue to target areas
close to the Turkish border.
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The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the provinces of Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli. You should be especially vigilant when travelling in other provinces in south eastern Turkey. See Terrorism
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There is a high threat from terrorism. The PKK has carried out frequent attacks throughout the country. Al Qaeda and other networks have specifically targeted western interests in Turkey. See Terrorism
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Many parts of Turkey are subject to earthquakes. See Natural disasters
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Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities and have the potential to turn violent. See Political situation.
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Over 2,500, 000 British nationals visit Turkey every year. Most visits are trouble-free. See Consular assistance statistics.
- Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel.
Terrorism
There is a high threat from terrorism.
Active local terrorist groups continue to issue statements threatening
further attacks, including in tourist areas. Domestic religious
extremist and ideological terrorist groups, and international groups
like Al Qaeda have previously targeted Western interests. You should
maintain a high level of security awareness and report anything
suspicious to the authorities.Methods of attack have included armed assaults, suicide bombings, and improvised explosive devices left in refuse bins or crowded areas including restaurants, hotels, outside banks and on public transport.
Attacks have taken place in both urban and rural areas, including on government, civilian and military targets in major cities and tourist resorts on the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts including Kusadasi, Cesme, Marmaris and Antalya in Manavgat. Most recently, in February 2013, a suicide bomber targeting the US Embassy in Ankara killed himself and a Turkish security guard.
While there is a high threat from terrorism throughout Turkey, the main provinces affected are Hakkari, Sirnak, Siirt and Tunceli. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to these provinces.
There is also significant terrorist activity elsewhere in the south east, including in Van, Bitlis, Bingol, Elazig, Mus, Batman, Erzincan, Diyarbakir, Mardin and Agri. You should remain vigilant in these areas.
There is a threat from kidnapping in Turkey. A British national was kidnapped by terrorists in Diyarbakir in June 2012. The same group had previous kidnapped road construction employees in May 2012, in the eastern province of Iğdır.
The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners increases the risk of further hostage taking.
Map showing areas with a history of terrorist insurgency and attacks[PDF, 1MB].
(This map is presented for information only. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) accepts no responsibility for errors or omission of any geographical features. Please read the FCO travel advice text for more detailed information).
Crime
Generally crime levels are low, but street robbery and pick-pocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. Be wary of strangers approaching you offering food and drink (which may be drugged), to change money or to take you to a restaurant or nightclub.
Passports have been stolen from rented villas, even when they have been kept in the villa safe. This is a particular problem in Didim, Kas, Kalkan and the Fethiye/Hisaronu/Ovacik area.
In 2010 40 cases of sexual assault, including rape, were reported to our consular staff in Turkey. Most of these cases occurred during the summer holiday period in coastal tourist areas. Most were committed late at night by someone that the victim had met during the evening.
You should maintain at least the same level of personal security awareness as in the UK. Alcohol and drugs can make you less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. Buy your own drinks and keep sight of them at all times so they are not spiked.
Never accept lifts from strangers. Find a registered yellow taxi and make a note of the registration number before getting in.
Counterfeit alcohol
Counterfeit alcohol has been responsible for the death of some tourists. If you have any concerns, seek advice from your tour operator or the Turkish authorities.
Road travel
Take particular care when travelling by road throughout Turkey, particularly at night. Road conditions can be poor. Accidents are common and mainly due to poor or reckless driving. According to the Turkish police, there were 1,104,388 road traffic accidents in 2010 which resulted in 4,045 deaths and over 211,496 injuries.
If you drive in Turkey, you must have either an International Driving Permit or a notarised copy (in Turkish) of your UK driving licence. Provisional driving licences are not recognised.
You will need an 'A' category standard motorcycle licence to hire a motorcycle over 50cc in Turkey. An 'A1' category 'light motorcycle' driving licence is only suitable for motorcycles below 50cc. By law you must wear a helmet. Failure to do so could result in a heavy fine.
Don’t drink and drive. The police will breathalyse drunk drivers, fine you on the spot and immediately confiscate your licence for 6 months.
Extreme sports
If you participate in extreme sports (including paragliding, parasailing, white-water rafting and off-road driving), satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. Only use reputable operators and insist on training before use. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. British nationals have been injured and in some cases killed participating in extreme sports.
Political situation
Turkey is a stable democracy. Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities and in Kurdish areas. Taksim Square and Istiklal Street are typical gathering points in Istanbul. Demonstrations can turn violent and the police sometimes use tear gas. You should avoid all demonstrations and to leave the area if one develops.
Smoking is prohibited on public transport and in other public areas like stadiums, playgrounds, cafes, bars, and restaurants. You can be fined if you are caught smoking in a designated smoke-free area.
Turkey has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs. If you are convicted of any of these offences, you can expect to receive a heavy fine or a prison sentence of 4 to 24 years.
The possession, sale and export of antiquities is against the law. Metal detectors are prohibited.
Dress modestly if you’re visiting a mosque or a religious shrine.
It is illegal not to carry some form of photographic ID in Turkey. Carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.
Don’t take photographs near military or official installations. Ask for permission before photographing people.
Homosexuality is not illegal, but is not widely tolerated. Public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences.
It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.
Visas
British nationals need a visa to enter Turkey, except for cruise ship
passengers entering the country for a day trip and returning to the
ship the same day.British Citizens can get a multiple entry visitor visa, valid for 90 days, on arrival at any port of entry on payment of £10 in cash (Scottish currency is not accepted). You can also get a visa in advance from the Turkish Consulate in London.
If you hold a different type of British nationality (BN(O), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject), check visa requirements with the Turkish Embassy before you travel.
Make sure your passport has a blank page for the visa stamp. If it does not, the Turkish authorities will issue an ‘Entry-Exit form’ and put your entry-exit stamp on there. You should carry this form with you in Turkey and present it to the border officers when you leave.
Turkish visit visas issued on arrival are valid for multiple stays up to a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period. Up to 31 January 2012, the Turkish immigration authorities operated a flexible interpretation of this requirement whereby visitors could leave after 90 days, and immediately re-enter for a further 90 day period. The rules are now fully enforced, and you will only be able to stay in Turkey for a total of 90 days in any period of 180 days.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90 day stay has elapsed. If you exceed the 90 day limit, you may be fined, deported and banned from re-entering the country.
If you are entering Turkey via the Bulgarian border crossing, make sure your passport has a dated entry stamp before you leave the border crossing area. Some British nationals have got a visa but not had their passport stamped. In some cases, this has resulted in detention and deportation for illegal entry.
Working illegally without the correct visa and work permit could result in deportation from Turkey, a fine and a ban on re-entering. You may be held in a detention centre awaiting deportation and are unlikely to be able to collect your belongings before departure.
Passport validity
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Turkey and have at least 3 months validity from the date you are leaving Turkey.
Travelling with children
If you are leaving Turkey with a child who is a dual British-Turkish national, you may be asked to show the Turkish immigration authorities evidence that the Turkish parent has given permission for the child to travel.
UK Emergency Travel Documents
UK Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Turkey within the dates printed on the document.
Contact your GP around 8 weeks before your trip to check whether you need any vaccinations or other preventive measures. Country specific information and advice is published by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, and useful information about healthcare abroad, including a country-by-country guide of reciprocal health care agreements with the UK, is available from NHS Choices.
There is a list of English speaking hospitals and doctors on the website of the British Embassy, Turkey.
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is not valid in Turkey. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Many parts of Turkey are subject to earthquakes and tremors.
You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake and follow any advice given by the local authorities.
To learn more about what to do before, during and after an earthquake see the website of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.
General
Money
ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. You can get local currency from banks and exchange bureaux, known as DOVIZ in Turkish.
Consular assistance statistics
Over 2,500,000 British nationals visit Turkey every year. 404 British nationals needed consular assistance in Turkey in period 1 April 2011 - 31 March 2012 including for the following types of incident: 110 deaths; 115 hospitalisations; and 64 arrests for various offences.
