Bringing a Foreign-Registered Vehicle to Türkiye

Turkish citizens living abroad and foreign residents can bring a vehicle registered abroad into Türkiye temporarily, and returning citizens can, in certain cases, bring their vehicle when they move back for good. The Ministry of Trade's customs guidance, the Customs Regulation and the Customs Exemption Communiqué set out the documents.

Temporary entry

The person bringing the vehicle must have a place of residence abroad. At entry, the customs officer asks for the vehicle registration document showing that it is registered in the country of residence, and, depending on the case, a document showing residence abroad, such as a passport, identity card or residence permit. People resident in the EU or EFTA may also bring vehicles registered in their name in another EU or EFTA country. Family members who drive the vehicle carry documents proving their relationship and residence abroad.

Two documents carry an explicit translation rule: a pension certificate for people retired abroad, and, for a company vehicle, a document showing that the driver is a partner or employee of the company. Both must have a Turkish translation certified by an embassy, a consulate or a notary.

Without an ownership document, or a valid power of attorney or document authorising use of a vehicle registered to someone else, the vehicle is not admitted; documents with erasures or uncorrected alterations are not accepted. Where a power of attorney certified by an embassy, consulate or notary is presented, an application by the attorney is sufficient.

Permanent return

For a vehicle brought on permanent return, the application is made with a residence transfer certificate issued by the Turkish mission in the country of residence, and the original registration or traffic document. If the foreign authorities have retained the original, a copy certified by the Turkish mission is accepted. Certain categories of returning persons cannot use this exemption if they are dual citizens.

We translate foreign documents into Turkish in Ankara through translators sworn before a Turkish notary. Customs decides.