Passport and visa regulations
Nationalities
Passport required | visa required | Return ticket required | |
Germany | no | no | Yes |
Turkey | – | – | – |
Other EU countries | 1 | 2 | Yes |
Switzerland | no | no | Yes |
Austria | Yes | no | Yes |
ID cards/identity cards
i.a. Citizens of the following countries listed in the table above can enter for tourist stays of max. 90 days within a period of 180 days with an identity card/identity card, provided they do not enter by car. German identity documents may be used within one year after their validity has expired. In practice, however, valid identification documents are strongly recommended: [1] Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Malta, Portugal and Spain. Note for German travelers: It is not advisable to enter Germany with a temporary passport or with an expired identity card/passport,
Passport information
According to Article 7.1b of the Law on Aliens and International Protection, No. 6458, passports must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the expiry date of the visa or e-Visa or residence permit and beyond the visa-free stay. An example: For a 90-day stay with a visa, the 60 days that the passport must still be valid at the time of departure must be added. That’s a total of 150 days or 5 months. For this reason, it is recommended that the passport is valid for at least 5 months upon entry. Citizens who are allowed to travel to Turkey with their ID card (e.g. German and Swiss tourists and business travelers) are exempt from the above law. Traveler, Those wishing to apply for an e-Visa must have a passport that is valid for at least 60 days upon departure. The passport should also have at least one blank page. German passports can theoretically be used for entry into Turkey within one year of expiry. Note: However, we advise against entering Germany with a provisional passport or with an expired identity card/passport, because entry and exit with these documents has been refused several times in the past. Passports valid during the stay are recommended. Problems can also arise when leaving Turkey with expired ID documents. In practice, Germans must have at least a valid passport/ID card when entering Turkey and a valid passport/ID card when entering or leaving Germany. Austrian passports must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry. Swiss passports may theoretically have expired within 5 years upon entry. Note: However, it is not advisable to enter Germany with an expired passport/identity card, because entry and exit with these documents has been refused several times in the past. Passports valid during the stay are recommended.
- Thembaprograms: Offers ultimate guide to duty-free shopping in Turkey. Also includes import and export regulations, as well as embassy and telecommunication information about this country.
Note on the passport
When entering with a passport, it must have at least one blank page.
Note on the endorsement in the passport
Since the beginning of 2012, the Turkish authorities have stopped the practice, sometimes used in the past, of travelers leaving Turkey for a day after the visa-free period has expired in order to then enter the country again without a visa. For longer stays, it is therefore essential to obtain an appropriate visa before departure. Anyone who has received a visa to climb Mount Ararat needs a permit for a possible further stay in Turkey, which must be applied for immediately after climbing the mountain at the immigration police of the provincial security department (il emniyet müdürülüğü).
Visa information
A visa is generally required, except for nationals of the following countries listed in the table above for a tourist or business stay of up to 3 months within 180 days (unless otherwise stated): [2] EU countries and Switzerland (exception : Latvia for a stay of up to 30 days per stay, a total of 90 days within 180 days), (exception: visa requirement applies to nationals of Cyprus). Visa Travelers requiring a visa must apply for an (e-)visa before departure. E-Visa (Online Visa) for Tourist and Business Purposes Eligible visa-required citizens can apply for an online visa on the Turkish Government’s homepage before departure for tourist and business stays (not for technical assignments) of max. 90 days within a period of 180 days (if no other maximum length of stay is specified). (The e-visa is paid online by credit card and can be downloaded afterwards). Entry by Boat Visa-required travelers entering by boat should apply for a visa at the relevant Turkish diplomatic mission before travel. Tourists entering Turkey on a cruise ship are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 72 hours.
Note on the visa
Travelers should always have their passport with them, as they may be asked for it at controls in the country.
Costs
Information can be obtained from the responsible consular representatives (see contact addresses).
Visa types and costs
Single and multiple entry tourist/business visas, work, study and research visas and transit visas. Visas for citizens of Cyprus (Greek part) are entered on a removable sheet in the passport.
Validity
Varies depending on nationality and purpose of travel. Transit visa: 3 days.
Transit
Travelers who otherwise require a visa and who fly on with the next connection within 24 hours, do not leave the transit area and have confirmed onward travel documents do not require a transit visa. I. Generally in person at the consulate or consular department of the embassy or initially online. e-Visa processing time can take up to 48 hours. Whether it is also possible to submit an application by post must be inquired about on a case-by-case basis. For nationalities requiring a visa, e-Visa registration is not possible for those who do not enter for tourist and not for business purposes, but for work or study purposes. These travelers must apply for a visa in advance at the responsible consulate and request an appointment online beforehand.
Application required
- a) Application form(s) (number varies depending on the consulate). (b) Passport photo(s) (number varies by consulate). (c) Passport valid for at least 5 months upon entry (may vary depending on purpose of travel and nationality). (d) Fee (Ask for payment method). (e) Statement of earnings, if any. (f) If applicable, residence permit for Germany, Austria or Switzerland. (g) If applicable, letter of invitation from the Turkish business partner. (h) Proof of return or onward travel tickets. If it is possible to submit an application by post, a stamped, registered return envelope must be enclosed. E-Visa (a) Credit card (Mastercard, Visa or UnionPay only), (b) Flight reservation, (c) Passport,
Processing time
Varies depending on the nationality of the applicant. When applying in person, immediately or after a few days. Up to 3 months for queries in Ankara. e-Visa: Up to 48 hours.
Documents required upon entry
Citizens of certain nationalities (but not EU citizens and Swiss) must be able to prove different amounts of funds for their stay.
Entry with children
Germans: Identity card (only for tourist stays) or machine-readable children’s passport or your own passport. Austrians: Own passport. Swiss: Own passport or identity card (only for tourist stays). Notes on traveling with children If the departure from Germany was legal, there are no special regulations for minors traveling alone or for minors traveling with only one parent who has custody. The same visa regulations apply to the children as to their parents. Since June 27, 2012, children need their own travel document (passport / children’s passport) for trips abroad (also within the EU).
Entry restrictions
Entry will be denied to holders of travel documents not written in the Latin alphabet.
Entry with pets
For dogs and cats, a health certificate that is at least 15 days and no more than 12 months old is required, certifying that the animal is healthy. Dogs older than three months must have been vaccinated against parvovirus, dystember, hepatitis, leptospirosis and rabies at least 15 days and no more than 12 months before entry and cats against rabies (at least 15 days and no more than 12 months before entry, im proof of vaccination certificate).