Conditions for bringing a car from abroad to Turkey

If certain conditions are met, vehicles with foreign license plates can be brought to Turkey. In order for the brought car to be used in our country, various procedures must be fulfilled. Basically; The vehicle can be used without any problems when the procedures required by both the country where the vehicle was taken and the country to which the vehicle will be taken are fulfilled. Since the cars brought are not registered in our country, they are recorded as vehicles with foreign license plates. If the specified procedures are followed, the vehicle may remain in our country.

Can All Vehicles with Foreign Plates be brought to Turkey?

No, not every vehicle with foreign license plate can be brought to Turkey. However, the main rule that applies in this case is related to the owner's residence status rather than the status or age of the vehicle. In order for a vehicle with a foreign license plate to be brought to Turkey, its owner must have resided abroad for more than 185 days in the last year.

This rule means that foreigners and Turkish citizens who do not reside in Turkey within the specified period can temporarily bring their vehicles with foreign license plates to Turkey. This rule also applies to re-entry into Turkey. The second rule is that the vehicle license must be issued by the country of residence of the vehicle owner.

The third rule to follow is that vehicles can only be brought for personal use. Different rules apply for vehicles to be used for commercial purposes. In addition, personal vehicles can only be used by the vehicle owner himself and his close relatives such as his spouse, parents and children. Vehicles with foreign license plates brought to Turkey temporarily can only be used by others in an emergency.

How Long Can Foreign Plate Vehicles Stay in Turkey?

Vehicles with foreign license plates brought in accordance with the temporary entry rules can stay in Turkey for up to 730 days. After this period expires, the vehicle owner has to take the vehicle out of the border.

Another frequently asked question on this subject is whether he can bring another vehicle with a foreign license plate registered in his name after the 730-day period has expired. Our answer to this question would be no. The entry of vehicles with foreign license plates depends on the residence status of the vehicle owner. For this reason, foreigners or Turkish citizens living in another country must stay outside Turkey for at least 185 days at the end of the 730-day period in order to bring another vehicle with a foreign license plate to Turkey or to re-enter with Turkey.

How Is 185 Days Calculated?

The calculation of 185 days, which is among the conditions for bringing a vehicle from abroad, is as follows: It is made according to the passport entry-exit records obtained from the General Directorate of Security. It is questioned one year before the date of entry into Turkey. Persons who have stayed abroad for 185 days in 365 days and resided under normal conditions can meet the requirement. Also, two points about the 185 day requirement are important:

• 185 days do not have to be continuous.
• 185 days is not required for those who retire from abroad.

Can someone else bring the vehicle?

In such a case, both the person who will bring the vehicle and the owner of the vehicle are expected to meet the 185 days condition. In addition, the vehicle owner has to give a power of attorney to the person who will bring the vehicle. It is obligatory to show a power of attorney at the customs administration.

Can Foreign Plate Vehicles Be Permanently Bring to Turkey?

Yes, some people are allowed to permanently bring a car with a foreign license plate to Turkey under certain conditions. For this reason, many people who plan to settle in Turkey permanently ask, “Can I bring a vehicle with a foreign license plate to Turkey permanently?” asking the question. The conditions required to bring a car with a foreign license plate to Turkey vary according to the place of residence and citizenship status of the car owner.

For example, Turkish citizens residing abroad for a while can bring their own car to Turkey permanently. Foreigners who have just acquired Turkish citizenship will also be able to bring their own vehicles to Turkey permanently. However, in these cases, the vehicle in question must be no more than 3 years old. In addition, the SCT and value added tax (VAT) of the vehicle in question must be paid at the customs.

The right to permanently bring a foreign car to Turkey is not limited to the persons mentioned above. However, the rules that the vehicle owner and the vehicle must meet are quite detailed in this regard. Therefore, it would be best to ask the relevant authorities directly if you can bring your vehicle to Turkey permanently.

If you can't bring your vehicle to Turkey permanently, don't worry. Buying a vehicle in Turkey is not difficult at all, as long as you have all the necessary documents. Also in Turkey, you can find used or new cars, 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 will vary depending on the method you choose to bring your car. If you are bringing your car to Turkey by road yourself, your only expense will be fuel and (if necessary) accommodation. If you have decided to bring your vehicle through a transport company, you should be prepared to pay several thousand Euros for this service.

The cost of bringing a vehicle can vary greatly according to the transport companies. However, we can say that the average cost of bringing a vehicle to Turkey through a transport company is between €2,000 and €3,000. Also, depending on the country you are bringing the vehicle to, it may be more expensive to bring the vehicle by sea than by road.

On the other hand, the cost of bringing a car from abroad will also vary depending on how long you will stay in Turkey with your car. If you are only bringing your car temporarily, you will not have to pay any taxes at customs. However, if you are bringing your vehicle permanently, you will have to pay SCT, VAT and some other fees to use your vehicle in Turkey.

As a result, the best way to temporarily bring a car to Turkey is to bring it yourself, if you have enough time. 

Note that this guide has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information contained in this article may change due to changes in the Laws.