Türkiye (Turkey) Travel Restrictions
Current COVID restrictions for Türkiye
Entry to Türkiye
All arrivals into Türkiye aged six and over, including Turkish citizens and residence permit holders, must complete an online form (Form for Entry to Turkey) a maximum of 72 hours prior to travel. You do not need to do this if you’re transiting Türkiye on the way to another country.
The Form of Entry will create a HES code that is then used for checking into hotels, entry to shopping centres and other facilities. It is advisable to have the QR code available when out and about. The HES code is required to registered for all travel smart cards used in various cities in Türkiye.
Requirements
All arrivals (aged 12 and over) – including those arriving from the UK – into Türkiye, from countries other than those mentioned below, must have proof of one of the following:
a) A full course of COVID-19 vaccinations (completed at least 14 days prior to arrival in Türkiye)
b) Recent recovery from COVID-19
c) A negative PCR test (less than 72 hours of arrival)
d) Rapid antigen test (less than 48 hours of arrival).
For children aged 11 and under, no PCR test or vaccination certificate is needed.
Further Türkiye travel restrictions are currently in place for passengers arriving from, or who have visited in the previous 14 days, the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Please check IATA website for more details.
All arrivals into Türkiye will be subject to a medical evaluation for symptoms of coronavirus, including temperature checks. Arrivals may be subject to random PCR testing on arrival.
If you are transiting through Türkiye to a country that requires a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival, then you must obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test before travelling.
For UK visitors
Türkiye will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record and proof of COVID-19 vaccination. If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November 2021 to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not considered as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate vaccine status.
In certain situations you such as railway stations you might be asked for proof of vaccination. Best to have both HES code and vaccination proof readily available on mobile phone or printed copy.