How Long Can A Foreign-Plated Cehicle Stay In Türkiye? Temporary Importation, 185-Day And 730-Day Requirements

What are customs penalties?

Temporarily Imported Road Vehicles – An Updated Guide Under the Customs Law and Communiqué Provisions;

The temporary entry into Türkiye of foreign-plated road vehicles intended for the personal use of persons residing abroad is regulated under the “temporary importation” procedure in Turkish customs legislation.

The legal basis of this practice is primarily formed by Customs Law No. 4458, Decision No. 2009/15481 on the Implementation of Certain Articles of Customs Law No. 4458, and the Customs General Communiqué on Temporarily Imported Road Vehicles (Serial No. 1).

Persons residing abroad may temporarily bring their foreign-plated vehicles into Türkiye if they meet the necessary conditions. Vehicles belonging to Turkish citizens, dual citizens, and Blue Card holders residing outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye may generally be granted a period of up to 730 days. One of the basic conditions is to have been abroad for at least 185 days during the last 365 days preceding the date of entry. Administrative fines may be imposed under the Customs Law if the permitted period is exceeded, the vehicle is used by unauthorized persons, or customs procedures are not completed when the vehicle is left in Türkiye.

1. RIGHT TO BRING A VEHICLE UNDER TOURIST FACILITIES

The basic condition for bringing a foreign-plated vehicle under tourist facilities is that the person bringing the vehicle must reside outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye.

The mere purchase of a foreign-plated vehicle by a person who lives permanently in Türkiye, or the acquisition by power of attorney of a vehicle belonging to a relative living abroad, does not by itself create a right to temporary importation.

Persons residing abroad may bring their vehicles intended for personal use into Türkiye if they meet the conditions.

Within this scope;

• Turkish citizens,
• dual citizens,
• Blue Card holders,
• foreign nationals,
• persons retired abroad

may benefit from the right to temporary importation under the different conditions specified in the legislation.

2. RESIDENCE ABROAD AND THE 185-DAY REQUIREMENT

One of the most important criteria for temporarily bringing foreign-plated vehicles into Türkiye is the requirement to have been abroad for 185 days.

This period is often incorrectly perceived as the period during which the vehicle may remain in Türkiye. In fact, the 185-day period is primarily a criterion used to determine whether the person resides outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye.

When assessing the place of residence, the 365-day period preceding the date on which the person wishes to enter Türkiye is taken into account.

Within this period, the person must have been outside Türkiye for at least 185 days.

The 185-day period does not have to be completed at once or without interruption. The total periods spent abroad during the last 365 days are taken into account.

Therefore, the calculation is not made according to the calendar year, but backward from the date on which the person wishes to enter Türkiye with the vehicle.

3. PERIOD DURING WHICH THE VEHICLE MAY REMAIN IN TÜRKİYE

Vehicles brought under tourist facilities by persons residing outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye may generally be granted a period of up to 730 days.

The 730-day rule is particularly important for those residing abroad who are;

• Turkish citizens,
• Dual citizens,
• Blue Card holders.

However, 730 days is not an unconditional period automatically granted to everyone.

The period granted to the vehicle may not be longer than the period during which the person may legally remain in Türkiye.

For example, a foreign national who is entitled to remain in Türkiye for only 90 days will not be granted 730 days for the vehicle.

Vehicles belonging to foreign nationals who do not have a residence permit in Türkiye may be granted up to a total of 90 days within 180 days, provided that this does not exceed the period during which the person may remain in Türkiye.

For vehicles belonging to foreigners who have a residence permit in Türkiye, the residence permit period is taken as the basis. This period may under no circumstances exceed 730 days.

4. SPECIAL PRACTICE FOR PERSONS RETIRED ABROAD

The legislation contains certain facilitating provisions for persons retired abroad.

Vehicles belonging to persons who are retired abroad and reside outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye may be granted up to 730 days if the conditions are met.

Furthermore, under certain conditions, the 185-day residence requirement may not be sought for vehicles intended for personal use that are brought into Türkiye for the first time after the date of retirement.

There are also special provisions concerning the reuse of the remaining period if the person leaves Türkiye before using the entire previously granted 730-day period.

5. USE OF THE ENTIRE 730-DAY ENTITLEMENT

Using the entire 730-day temporary importation period does not mean that the person automatically acquires a new 730-day entitlement.

To bring a vehicle again, the person must once again meet the residence-abroad requirement.

At this stage, both the person’s movements during the last 365 days and the period during which the vehicle remained abroad may be important.

However, the legislation contains a limited exception for persons residing in countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

If the conditions are met, these persons may bring vehicles intended for personal use and registered in their own name into Türkiye for a period of one month, once within a 365-day period.

This provision does not constitute a new 730-day entitlement.

6. COUNTRY IN WHICH THE VEHICLE IS REGISTERED

As a general rule, the vehicle must be registered in the person’s own name in the country where that person resides.

However, there are certain exceptions for persons residing in countries of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association.

For example, a person residing in Germany may, if the conditions are met, bring into Türkiye a vehicle registered in that person’s own name in another European Union country.

The registration and ownership status of the vehicle is checked by the customs administration upon entry.

7. POWERS OF ATTORNEY AND RENTAL VEHICLES

A foreign-plated vehicle may be brought into Türkiye by a person other than the vehicle owner.

However, when a vehicle is brought by power of attorney, both the vehicle owner and the person bringing the vehicle must meet the residence-abroad conditions required by the legislation.

The power of attorney must be of a nature acceptable to the customs administration.

Acceptable documents may include;

• notarized powers of attorney,
• powers of attorney certified by a consulate or embassy,
• documents issued by the competent authorities of the relevant country,
• documents issued by company officials for company vehicles,
• rental agreements for rental vehicles.

For rental vehicles, the period granted to the vehicle may not exceed the period specified in the rental agreement.

8. WHO MAY USE THE VEHICLE IN TÜRKİYE

Who may use foreign-plated vehicles in Türkiye is one of the most important issues under the temporary importation procedure.

The vehicle is primarily used by the authorization holder.

Under the current legislation, in addition to the authorization holder, the vehicle may also be used, subject to certain conditions, by the following persons residing outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye;

• Spouse,
• Ascendants,
• Descendants.

Ascendants refer to persons such as the mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather, while descendants refer to persons such as children and grandchildren.

These persons must also be able to document, when necessary, that they reside outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye and their family relationship.

Persons residing in Türkiye may not use a foreign-plated vehicle.

Use contrary to the legislation gives rise to a customs penalty for both the authorization holder and the person using the vehicle.

9. ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURES FOR THE VEHICLE

The entry of a foreign-plated vehicle into Türkiye is recorded by the customs administration.

The vehicle’s;

• license plate,
• chassis number,
• ownership information,
• person entering with the vehicle,
• period granted to the vehicle

are recorded in the customs system.

When the vehicle exits Türkiye, its identity and authorized period are also checked.

The vehicle is not required to exit through the same border gate through which it entered Türkiye.

For example, a vehicle may enter Türkiye through the Kapıkule Border Gate and exit to Georgia through the Sarp Border Gate.

What matters is that the vehicle is taken out of the Customs Territory of Türkiye through an official customs gate and that the entry record is duly closed.

10. LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN TÜRKİYE WHILE TRAVELLING ABROAD

A person may leave the foreign-plated vehicle in Türkiye and travel abroad by plane or another vehicle.

However, in this case, the procedures specified in the customs legislation must be completed.

If the vehicle will be kept in Türkiye without being placed under customs supervision, an undertaking must be given that the vehicle will not be used by other persons.

This procedure is recorded in the customs system as “Exit Without Vehicle.”

If the person leaves the country without making the required notification while the vehicle remains in Türkiye, penal action may be taken.

Legal basis

Article 27 of the Customs General Communiqué on Temporarily Imported Road Vehicles

Under the heading “Persons Leaving Without Their Vehicles,” the article regulates the procedure to be followed when a vehicle is left in Türkiye.

11. PLACING THE VEHICLE UNDER CUSTOMS SUPERVISION

If the vehicle owner will remain abroad for a long period or the vehicle will not be used in Türkiye, the vehicle may be placed under customs supervision.

If the customs administration does not have a suitable storage area, the vehicle may be kept in another official or private area under customs supervision.

Placing the vehicle under customs supervision and leaving it in Türkiye merely by providing an undertaking produce different legal consequences.

Different provisions may apply to the running of the authorized period when the vehicle is placed under customs supervision.

When the vehicle is left in Türkiye by providing an undertaking, the period during which the vehicle may remain in Türkiye continues to run.

12. LEAVING THE COUNTRY WITHOUT THE VEHICLE AND WITHOUT NOTIFYING CUSTOMS

Leaving the country without the vehicle and without providing the required information to the customs administration, while a vehicle brought under temporary importation remains in Türkiye, is contrary to customs legislation.

In this case, an administrative fine is imposed under subparagraph (e) of the sixth paragraph of Article 241 of Customs Law No. 4458. The amount of the fine announced by the Ministry of Trade for 2026 is:

TRY 11,952.

As penalty amounts change each year according to the revaluation rate, different amounts may apply in subsequent years.

13. BREAKDOWN, ACCIDENT, AND UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES

A foreign-plated vehicle temporarily brought into Türkiye may be unable to leave Türkiye within its authorized period because of;

• Mechanical breakdown,
• Engine failure,
• Traffic accident,
• Fire,
• Severe damage,
• Illness,
• Detention,

or other unexpected or extraordinary circumstances. In such a case, it should not be assumed that the vehicle’s authorized period is automatically extended. The vehicle owner must apply to the relevant customs administration as soon as possible.

14. EXCEEDING THE VEHICLE’S AUTHORIZED PERIOD

The foreign-plated vehicle must be taken outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye within the period granted by the customs administration. An administrative fine is imposed if the period is exceeded.

The penalty amounts announced by the Ministry of Trade for 2026 are as follows:

The amounts applicable during the first three months of delay may change due to annual revaluation.

If the period exceeds three months, Article 238 of Customs Law No. 4458 applies instead of a fixed administrative fine.

15. PENALTY UNDER ARTICLE 238 OF THE CUSTOMS LAW

Article 238 of Customs Law No. 4458 is one of the important penalty provisions concerning the temporary importation procedure.

If the conditions of the procedure are violated in relation to vehicles intended for private use and temporarily imported with total relief, an administrative fine equal to one quarter of the amount of customs duties is imposed depending on the nature of the event.

Examples include;

• Using the vehicle for purposes other than those permitted,
• Use of the vehicle by persons who are not entitled to use it,
• Unauthorized transfer of the vehicle to another person,
• Renting or lending the vehicle,
• Unauthorized sale of the vehicle in Türkiye,
• Unauthorized replacement of parts for which customs permission is required,
• Failure to take a vehicle whose period has expired abroad in accordance with the legislation.

Such circumstances are assessed under Article 238.

16. USE BY A PERSON WHO IS NOT ENTITLED

The use of a temporarily imported foreign-plated vehicle by persons who do not have the right to use it under the legislation may result in a violation of the temporary importation procedure.

In particular, it is legally risky for a person residing in Türkiye to use continuously or independently a foreign-plated vehicle belonging to a relative or friend living abroad.

If such use is detected;

• The authorization holder,
• The person using the vehicle

will each be subject to separate penal action.

It may also be requested that the vehicle be taken outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye.

17. SALE, TRANSFER, OR RENTAL OF THE VEHICLE

A foreign-plated vehicle brought into Türkiye under tourist facilities is not a vehicle that has entered free circulation in Türkiye.

Therefore, the vehicle;

• May not be sold without authorization,
• May not be transferred to another person,
• May not be rented commercially,
• May not be lent to persons who do not have the right to use it.

These transactions may constitute a breach of the purpose and conditions of temporary importation.

18. BASIC DOCUMENTS REQUIRED UPON ENTRY

Depending on the status of the person and the vehicle, the following documents may be required when entering Türkiye with a foreign-plated vehicle:

• Vehicle registration certificate or proof of ownership,
• Driving license,
• Passport or accepted identity document,
• Documents demonstrating residence abroad,
• Motor vehicle liability insurance valid in Türkiye,
• Power of attorney when entering by proxy,
• Rental agreement for rental vehicles,
• Retirement certificate for persons retired abroad.

If the documents are incomplete or invalid, the vehicle may not be permitted to enter Türkiye.

19. MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE

A foreign-plated vehicle entering Türkiye must have motor vehicle liability insurance valid in Türkiye. If the existing policy is not valid in Türkiye, the person will be required to obtain an insurance policy valid in Türkiye.

20. VEHICLES BELONGING TO LEGAL ENTITIES

Bringing into Türkiye vehicles belonging to a company or another legal entity established abroad is subject to different rules from those applicable to personal vehicles belonging to natural persons.

Shorter periods generally apply when a vehicle registered in the name of a legal entity is brought into Türkiye by power of attorney. Therefore, it should not be assumed that a vehicle registered in the name of a company will automatically remain in Türkiye for 730 days like a personal vehicle.

For company vehicles, the purpose for which the vehicle is brought, the driver’s relationship with the company, and the power of attorney are assessed separately.

21. TRAFFIC FINES AND TOLL DEBTS

For foreign-plated vehicles used in Türkiye;

• Administrative traffic fines,
• Motorway toll debts,
• Bridge tolls,
• Tunnel tolls

and similar debts should be checked before departure abroad. The vehicle is not permitted to exit until the fines have been paid.

For this reason, it is important to check debts before exit, particularly for vehicles that have remained in Türkiye for a long period.

WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT FOR TEMPORARILY BRINGING A VEHICLE INTO TÜRKİYE?

The basic criterion for temporarily bringing foreign-plated vehicles into Türkiye under tourist facilities is to reside outside the Customs Territory of Türkiye.

However, temporary importation should not be assessed solely in terms of duration.

• In whose name the vehicle is registered,
• Who brought it into Türkiye,
• Who uses it in Türkiye,
• Whether the vehicle owner has left the country,
• Whether the vehicle has broken down or been involved in an accident,
• Whether the granted period has been exceeded,
• Whether the vehicle has been sold or allowed to be used by other persons,

are also matters that fall directly within the scope of customs legislation.

In particular, Article 27 of the Communiqué is important when the vehicle is left in Türkiye while its owner travels abroad; Article 26 of the Communiqué and Article 238 of the Customs Law are important when the right of use is violated; and Articles 238 and 241 of the Customs Law are important when the authorized period is exceeded.

In 2026, penalties for exceeding the authorized period of foreign-plated vehicles are applied progressively during the first three months. For violations exceeding three months, much higher penalties calculated on the basis of the vehicle’s customs duties may arise.

Therefore, persons entering Türkiye with a foreign-plated vehicle must regularly check not only the vehicle’s entry date, but also the final exit date granted by customs and the conditions governing use of the vehicle.

LEGAL BASIS

Customs Law No. 4458

Decision No. 2009/15481 on the Implementation of Certain Articles of Customs Law No. 4458

Customs General Communiqué on Temporarily Imported Road Vehicles (Serial No. 1)

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade – Passenger-Accompanied Vehicles

Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade – Passenger Guide for Foreign-Plated Road Vehicles

Note: This study has been prepared for general information purposes. As legislation and administrative fine amounts may change over time, the current Official Gazette text and the practice of the Ministry of Trade and the relevant customs administration should be checked for specific transactions.

Yazan

GGM

Tüm Yazılarını Görüntüle