This travel advice outlines the security risks tourists and business travellers should be aware of when travelling to Turkey. It also provides some tips on how to travel as safely as possible.

Turkey travel advice: Travel possible with some exceptions
The travel advice for Turkey is largely positive. The state of emergency declared in February due to the severe earthquakes has been lifted. However, due to geographic and political situations, there are still areas that are riskier than others. There is a negative travel advisory for the Turkish border with Syria and Iraq. It is strongly advised to avoid the areas within 10 km of the border with Syria or Iraq. Violent militants are active here. Travel only if necessary to the Sirnak or Hakkari provinces, or the Turkish-Iraqi border crossing at Habur. Despite the explosion that took place in Istanbul on 13 November 2022, causing casualties and injuries, it is still considered relatively safe to travel there.

There is currently an increased risk of attacks against Western buildings, places of worship or other Western organisations within Turkey. These threats have been fuelled by recent demonstrations in the Netherlands and Sweden. During these events, demonstrators publicly tore up and burned a Quran, which has led to negative feelings towards the West in Turkey. To date, however, no increased risks have been observed on individual Dutch or European travellers.

Do not travel | Syria and Iraq border area

Travel to areas near the Syrian and Iraqi borders is strongly discouraged. Only the Habur border crossing between Iraq and Turkey has limited access and can only be visited at your own risk. In Syria, fighting continues near the Turkish border. There is also a high risk of terrorist attacks in those regions. Some roads leading to Syria are sometimes closed, especially in the Hatay province.

Necessary travel only | south-eastern provinces

Only travel to Hakkari and Sirnak provinces if necessary. Conflicts between Turkish forces and the PKK are a regular occurrence here in the countryside, especially at night, but also during the day. These conflicts are often accompanied by PKK attacks. For up-to-date information on these areas, keep yourself well-informed through local news channels.

Travel possible | general security risks

In Turkey, the general security risks are slightly higher compared to the UK. Always be on your guard and be extra vigilant when you are near government and security service buildings. Places that are widely popular among (European) tourists are also more at risk of being targets of such attacks. Even though the travel advice for most of Turkey is green, it is advised being well-informed about the laws, cultures, norms, and values. To prepare well for the trip, you should also have your documents in order.

Requirements for travelling to Turkey

General travel advice for turkey

To minimise risks while you are travelling in Turkey, you can follow the advice on this page. This advice was collected from different sources, such as the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Business and the British Government website, in order to provide the most accurate advice possible. However, in the case of any damage or injury while travelling, this site cannot be held liable. Travellers ultimately remain responsible for their decisions around travelling to certain areas.

Rules and safety

• Avoid all demonstrations and protests. Keep an eye on the local news about any planned demonstrations, or inquire at your accommodation. In Ankara, demonstrations are prohibited, and the police will crack down on them. Tourist spots are sometimes targets of terrorist attacks. Always stay alert in long queues at tourist attractions, if at all possible, avoid crowded areas.
• Always keep your passport and wallet on your body to prevent theft.
• It is illegal not to carry some form of ID while in Turkey. Always have your passport or residence permit with you. If you are stopped by officials conducting a check, you should co-operate with them.
• Always keep an eye on your food and drink and be careful if going out alone. Especially after sunset, it is wise not to be alone. Do not accept taxi rides from strangers, and always look for verified yellow taxis and note the registration number before boarding.
• It is illegal to publicly insult the Turkish flag or the nation itself. You can also be arrested and detained if you are accused of defacing or tearing Turkish money. These offences can lead to long prison sentences and should be taken seriously.
• Consuming, dealing, or possessing drugs is prohibited by law and is severely punishable by imprisonment for between 4 and 24 years.
• Pay attention to where smoking is and is not allowed. It is prohibited in indoor workplaces as well as public transport. It is also illegal in public spaces, including sports, entertainment and cultural outdoor spaces.
• Avoid taking photographs of government buildings and military grounds because it is considered suspicious. Always ask other people for permission before taking a picture.
• Be cautious when taking home historical artefacts, especially if it was bought in a market. Transporting or reselling antiques outside Turkey can be illegal in some cases.
• Homosexuality is legal in Turkey, but not widely accepted. There are some conservative areas where public displays of affection may lead to unwanted attention.
• Stay away from stray dogs. Particularly outside the city, they form packs and can become aggressive.

Health

• There are Hospitals easily available in major cities but they may be a bit different from what you are used to. It may be possible that in more rural areas outside the major cities that the staff may not speak as much English.
• For advice on vaccinations, see your GP or another specialist doctor. Generally recommended vaccinations for Turkey are malaria, hepatitis A and B, DTP, Rabies and Schistosomiasis.
• Before travelling, check which medicines are allowed with you and for which medicines a doctorʼs certificate is required on the NHS Fit for Travel site.

Natural disasters

• Earthquakes can occur throughout many parts of Turkey. Look up what to do in the event of an earthquake and always follow local advice.
• In the summer months, forest fires occur regularly. There is a prison sentence or high fine for causing a forest fire, whether deliberately or not. Take care when BBQing, throwing away cigarettes and fire in general. Practice caution when travelling through woodland areas. There will usually be local advice about existing or expected forest fires.
• Severe rainstorms can lead to flooding and landslides throughout parts of the country. This can possibly affect roads and travel. Pay attention to local evacuation orders or instructions from authorities.

Disclaimer: Travellers remain solely responsible
This travel advice for Turkey has been compiled with care. Nevertheless, e-Visa.ie does not accept liability for any problems, damages, or injuries arising from the use of this information. Travellers should remain alert at all times while travelling in Turkey, and you are solely responsible for your safety while travelling and staying in Turkey, as well as for the choice of whether to make a particular trip. Before travelling to Turkey, it is advisable to consult the latest security updates from the Government regarding travel to Turkey (www.gov.uk) or the British embassy in Cairo.