Can Foreign Cars Be Brought to Turkey from Abroad?

Yes, foreign cars can be brought into Turkey as long as certain conditions are met. Importing cars with foreign license plates into Turkey is subject to certain regulations to prevent exploitation. These regulations apply to persons residing abroad, regardless of their nationality, who wish to bring a passenger car with a foreign license plate to Turkey.

For this reason, many tourists, visitors and expats ask "Can I drive my car into Turkey?" in order to know the specific rules that apply to their situation before driving to Turkey. We have prepared a brief guide on car shipping to Turkey in general to inform our clients before they travel to Turkey.

Please note that Property Superiors does not provide car transport services to Turkey. This manual is for informational purposes only. Please contact the relevant authorities to find out which conditions apply to your case.

Why drive to Turkey?

First of all, it is easy to take a car to Turkey temporarily. Secondly, traveling by car in Turkey is always easier and more comfortable than taking public transport. Turkey is a vast country with many amazing attractions. While there are many options when it comes to public transportation, owning your own car will save you a lot of time.

If you are only in Turkey for a few days, consider renting a car. There are also many car rental companies in each city. However, if you plan on staying longer, consider bringing your own. Long-term car rental prices in Turkey for foreigners can be more expensive than usual.

How to temporarily bring your car from abroad to Turkey?

There are two ways to temporarily bring your car to Turkey. First of all, of course, is Turkey. You can do this yourself or authorize someone else to drive your car abroad. This is the cheapest way to bring a car to Turkey. You avoid the cost of transporting the car and your own travel expenses. Also, if you have enough time, you can make this an exciting tour.

The second option is to work with a transportation company and authorize them to transport the car to another state. It saves time and makes it easier to have the car delivered to you. In this case, the transport company will check which rules apply to your situation and whether your car is suitable for driving to Turkey.

These companies also handle the legal process for you regarding shipping your car to Turkey. All you have to do is fly to Turkey and wait for your car to arrive.

Is it possible to bring all foreign cars into Turkey?

No, not all cars can be brought to Turkey. But the main rule that applies in this case has to do with the residency status of the car owner, not the status or age of the car itself if it lived abroad for more than 185 days in the last year.

This means that foreigners or Turkish citizens who have a residence status in a country other than Turkey and have not lived in Turkey for longer than the specified period can temporarily bring their own vehicles to Turkey. This rule also applies to re-entry. The second rule states that vehicles must be registered in the country of residence of their owner.

The third rule to remember is that vehicles are for personal use only. Different regulations apply to commercial vehicles. Furthermore, private cars can only be driven by the owner or their immediate family members in Turkey (such as spouse, parents or children). These cars should only be driven by other people in an emergency.

How long can a foreign car stay in Turkey?

A foreign registered car under the temporary entry requirement can stay in Turkey for a maximum of 730 days. After this period, the owner must take the car out of the border.

A common question on this subject is that after the 730-day period, foreigners can bring another car registered in their name. The answer is no. The temporary registration of vehicles with foreign license plates is linked to the residence status of the vehicle owner. Therefore, foreigners/tourists must stay outside Turkey for at least 185 days after the 730-day period to bring another vehicle into Turkey or use the same vehicle to re-enter Turkey.

Is it possible to bring foreign cars to Turkey permanently?

Yes, under certain conditions, some people can permanently bring a car with a foreign license plate to Turkey. For this reason, many people who want to settle permanently in Turkey ask: "Can I bring a foreign car to Turkey permanently?". question. The conditions for bringing a foreign car to Turkey vary depending on the owner's place of residence and citizenship.

For example, Turkish citizens who stay abroad for a long time can bring their cars permanently to Turkey. Even foreigners who have just obtained Turkish citizenship can permanently bring their own car. However, in these cases the car must not be more than 3 years old. In addition, the Special Excise Tax (SCT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) on the aforementioned cars must be paid to the customs authorities.

The right to permanently bring foreign cars to Turkey is not limited to the above-mentioned persons. However, the conditions of the car and its owner are very specific. Therefore, it is best to ask the competent authorities directly whether you are entitled.

If you are not eligible to bring your own car to Turkey permanently, don't worry. Buying a car in Turkey as a foreigner is not difficult as long as you have all the necessary documents. Also, in Turkey you can find almost all types of cars, whether they are used or new, SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, pickups and many more.

How much does it cost to bring a car to Turkey?

The cost of bringing a car to Turkey depends on the method of car transport you choose. If you are driving to Turkey, your only expenses will be fuel and accommodation (if required). If you decide to pick up your car through a freight company, you should be prepared to pay a few thousand euros for this service.

Prices for car rides vary by company. The average cost of shipping a car to Turkey with a shipping company is around 2,000 to 3,000 Euros. Also, depending on your country, shipping a car by sea may cost more than shipping by road.

On the other hand, the cost of shipping your car abroad also depends on how long you stay in Turkey. If you are only bringing the car temporarily, you do not need to pay taxes to Turkish customs. However, if you carry the car permanently, you will need to pay SCT, VAT and some other fees to drive in Turkey.

All in all, if you have enough time, the best way to temporarily take a car to Turkey is to drive by yourself. Hope this short guide helps you.

Please keep in mind that this guide is for informational purposes only and Property Superiors does not provide car transport services. The information in this article was current at the time of publication. These conditions may change due to changes in law. Please contact the relevant authorities directly for current and updated information.