Safety and security

Earthquakes

On 6 February 2023, two significant earthquakes hit Southeast Anatolia, strongly affecting the provinces of Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Diyarbakır, Adana, Osmaniye, Gaziantep, Şanlırurfa, Adıyaman, Malatya and Hatay. There has been significant structural damage across the region leading to casualties and the Turkish Government has declared a state of emergency in the affected provinces. Citizens should avoid travelling to the affected provinces at this time. Citizens currently in these areas should heed the instructions of the Turkish authorities. Roads, communications networks and airports may be badly disrupted.

Terrorism

The threat from terrorism in Türkiye remains high, with bomb attacks in major Turkish cities, including Istanbul and Ankara. Although some attacks have targeted security forces, there have also been random attacks in areas frequented by tourists. The situation in the south-east of the country is particularly serious and these areas should be avoided (see below).

Terrorist attacks are, by their nature, random and indiscriminate and cannot be predicted in advance. You are advised to exercise a high degree of caution, particularly in public places that are frequented by foreigners.

Political unrest

The political situation in Türkiye is reasonably stable but always keep yourself informed of what's going on around you by monitoring local media and staying in contact with your hotel or tour organiser.

We strongly advise against all travel within 10 kilometres of the border between Türkiye and Syria and to Diyarbakir city. We advise against all but essential travel to the remaining areas of provinces of Diyarbakir, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kilis, Mardin, Şanliurfa, and Sirnak. In addition, we recommend against all but essential travel to the Siirt, Tunceli and Hakkari provinces.

While areas popular with Irish travellers are located at a substantial distance from these regions, vigilance is also required in tourist areas in major cities.

Avoid demonstrations and public gatherings, which can turn confrontational. The police will take measures such as the use of tear gas to control protesters. Stay away from military sites – taking photos of, or near, military or security installations and some public buildings, may be prohibited.

Crime

Violent crime against tourists in Türkiye is rare but street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. The Embassy in Ankara has also been made aware of a number of cases of tourists being intimidated into paying extortionate bills at bars and nightclubs in Istanbul. Remain vigilant when frequenting such establishments. There have been a number of cases of theft from apartments and cars in some of the coastal resorts, as well as in Istanbul and Ankara. Take heed of your local tour operator representative's advice, and wherever you are, take sensible precautions.

• Do not carry your credit card, travel tickets and money together - leave spare cash and valuables in a safe place 
• Do not carry your passport unless absolutely necessary, but carry a copy of it in case you are stopped by police. Also leave a copy of your passport (and travel and insurance documents) with family or friends at home. Ensure that at least one family member in Ireland is aware of your location and travel plans in Türkiye, should an emergency arise communications by email or mobile phone can be difficult.
• Avoid showing large sums of money in public and don't use ATMs after dark, especially if you are alone. Check no one has followed you after conducting your business.
• Keep a close eye on your personal belongings and hold on to them in public places such as internet cafes, train and bus stations
• Avoid dark and unlit streets and stairways, arrange to be picked up or dropped off as close to your hotel or apartment entrance as possible.
• Do not leave valuables, or bags which may appear to contain valuables, visible in parked cars.

Reporting a crime

If you are a victim of a crime while in Türkiye, report it to the local police immediately. You can also contact the Embassy of Ireland, Ankara for consular assistance.

Driving

If you're planning to drive in Türkiye, you should be careful. While the standard of roads in Türkiye has greatly improved in recent years, traffic accidents are common, particularly at night. Road safety standards are low, particularly outside towns and cities. Accidents are frequent and are often caused by poor driving, badly maintained vehicles and inadequate lighting. Pedestrians should also exercise caution at all times, including at zebra crossings, for example, as drivers rarely stop to allow pedestrians to cross.

If you want to drive:

• Bring your full Irish driving licence and make sure you have adequate and appropriate insurance
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law and you risk being detained, fined or banned from driving if caught.
• Be aware of Türkiye's traffic laws, such as speed limits.
• Keep your vehicle doors locked and your bags kept out of sight to prevent opportunistic bag-snatching if you are stopped at traffic lights.

Hiring a vehicle

If you are hiring a vehicle, we advise you not to hand over your passport as a form of security. If you are allowing your passport to be photocopied, keep it in your sight at all times.

Check that you have adequate insurance and read the small print of the vehicle hire contract (particularly any waiver that will come into effect if the vehicle is damaged).

Taxis

In Istanbul, avoid hailing taxis on the street and only use taxis ordered by your hotel or those ordered directly from a taxi kiosk.

Fires

Türkiye can experience bush and forest fires in the warmer months, including in regions popular with tourists. You should heed risk warnings and be vigilant if travelling in forested areas during the summer. If there is a forest fire near where you are staying, you should keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the Turkish authorities. 

Emergency services can be contacted by dialling 112.

Flooding

Rainstorms can cause flooding and landslides in Türkiye, including in the summer months. This can create risks to safety, as well as impeding travel and reducing the availability of essential services. If you are in an affected area, you should follow the advice of the local authorities.

Extreme sports

If you participate in extreme sports (including hot-air ballooning), satisfy yourself that adequate safety precautions are in place. There have been a number of hot-air ballooning accidents in Cappadocia in the past, which have led to a number of fatalities. There have also been a number of fatalities and serious injuries in paragliding accidents in the resorts of Oludeniz and Fethiye. Only use reputable operators and insist on training before use. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, as often they are excluded in standard policies

Stray dogs

Stray street dogs are common in most towns and cities in Türkiye. Local authorities take action to control and manage numbers but packs congregate in parks and wastelands. While they are largely docile, this may not always be the case. Avoid approaching these dogs but if bitten, seek immediate medical advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Türkiye.

Local laws and customs

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal.

Local customs

Türkiye is a secular state with a majority Muslim population. You should respect local traditions, customs, and religions, which can vary regionally. Normally, the dress code in Türkiye is the same as in Europe, however, you should dress modestly if visiting a mosque or a religious shrine (long trousers or dress and women should wear a headscarf). Alcohol is widely available but public drunkenness is frowned upon. 

Illegal drugs

Türkiye has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs. If you are convicted of any of these offences, you can expect to receive a heavy fine and a prison sentence of up to 15 years. The Embassy maintains a list of English-speaking lawyers, but cannot get involved in legal cases.

Health

If you need urgent health treatment during your stay, you should dial 112 to contact the emergency health services

Medical, Dental, and Cosmetic Tourism

A number of Irish citizens travel to Türkiye each year for the purpose of medical services, including surgical, dental and cosmetic procedures. Travellers should be aware that all surgery contains an element of risk. Individuals should seek to inform themselves of both the risks and benefits of any procedures, and are advised to discuss their plans carefully with their own doctor, dentist and/or hospital specialist before committing to any procedure abroad. Individuals should also familiarise themselves with any follow-up treatment or process that may be required, and be aware that they may encounter communication difficulties in a non-English speaking environment. It is essential that appropriate travel insurance is in place.

The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware that some citizens have experienced complications in the course of their treatment in Türkiye, and a number have died following medical procedures. Irish citizens considering medical treatment in Türkiye are advised to carry out independent research regarding the credentials of any potential service provider and to ensure that the facility is accredited with the Turkish authorities. A list of accredited facilities is available on the Health Services General Directorate website. Individuals should also note that the EU’s Cross Border Directive and Treatment Abroad Scheme does not extend to countries outside the EU such as Türkiye.

Travel Insurance

The Department of Foreign Affairs cannot pay for emergency medical repatriation, repatriation of remains, or for expenses as a result of a personal emergency while you are abroad.  These costs may be covered if you purchase appropriate travel insurance, however the Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is unable to mediate in the event of any disputes with insurance companies which may arise.

Buying comprehensive travel insurance can save you and your family a lot of money if something goes wrong. It will also ensure that you get the medical attention you need, when you need it. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.

Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Make sure your policy covers all the activities you plan to do on your trip. Insurance Ireland recommend that you purchase a policy that provides a minimum medical cover of €1 million.

The Turkish health system is well developed and adept to working with insurance companies, particularly in areas frequented by tourists.

Mental Health

Please be aware that the standard of mental healthcare in Türkiye differs from Ireland. It can be difficult to access appropriate medical facilities that have mental healthcare professionals who speak English. Pre-existing mental health issues should be declared when purchasing travel insurance as otherwise the policy may not cover treatment or hospital costs.

Please consult your doctor before travelling. Ensure you have sufficient amount of medication for your trip, along with an up-to-date prescription or letter from your doctor. Be aware that heat and hot weather can impact mental health and the effectiveness of certain medication.

If you become concerned for your mental health (or the mental health of a friend / family member) while in Türkiye please contact the Embassy (+90 312 4591000) or the Consular Assistance team in Dublin (+353 1 408 2000). We can direct you to local medical facilities and help you make contact with friends / family in Türkiye or Ireland. Please note the Embassy cannot provide medical advice or funds to return home.  

Emergency expenses

Check your insurance policy to see if it covers the following:

• All medical care abroad, including evacuation by air ambulance, or other emergency procedures, and any other costs associated with an unexpected longer stay.
• Your entire trip, from departure to return. Consider an annual multi-trip policy if you’re making more than one trip in the year.   
• 24-hour emergency service and assistance.
• Personal liability cover (in case you’re sued for causing injury or damaging property).
• Lost and stolen possessions.
• Cancellation and curtailment.
• Any extra activities you intend to do that are excluded from standard policies (e.g. water sport activities such as jet skiing or other extreme sports).

Water

There have been water-quality issues in Türkiye and visitors are advised to use bottled water whenever possible.

Additional information

If you have concerns about future travel plans and COVID-19 safety measures in place, please contact your airline.  Please see here for announcements by airlines that operate Ireland–Türkiye routes regarding restrictions / disruptions due to Coronavirus (COVID-19):  

Aer Lingus

Ryanair

Sunway Express

Turkish Airlines

For up to date information on which international flight routes are operating, please see the following links for airports in Türkiye:

Ankara Airport (ESB)

Antalya Airport (AYT)

Bodrum Airport (BJV)

Dalaman Airport (DLM)

Izmir Airport (ADB)

Istanbul Airport (IST)

Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen (SAW)

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you. During your stay you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times.

There is no visa requirement for Irish citizens coming to Türkiye for touristic purposes (up to 90 days in any 180-day period).  Irish citizens travelling to Türkiye for other purposes should contact their nearest Turkish Embassy in advance of their visit to clarify their visa requirements. Contact details for the Turkish Embassy in Dublin are available here.

Six month passport validity is required from the date of entry to Türkiye. Please check your passport in plenty of time before travel and if it needs to be renewed please use our Online Passport Renewal System.

Residence permit

If you want to study, work or stay beyond 90 days in Türkiye you must apply for the appropriate visa and/or residence permit from the Turkish authorities. Residence permits for Irish citizens are free of charge, though you have to pay for the residence permit booklet. Applications and requests for further information should be directed towards your local branch of the Directorate General of Migration Management. Residence permits are not free of charge for all foreign nationals, so you may find that you have to insist that this is the case when you apply for a permit.

Overstaying your visa

Overstaying your visa can result in heavy fines and/or a ban on re-entering Türkiye for up to five years, depending on the length of the overstay, and you’ll need to apply for a visa from the nearest Turkish Embassy or Consulate before returning to Türkiye. Departing Türkiye without paying the relevant fine will lead to an automatic five year ban on re-entry.

Visa requirements for Irish citizens are a matter for the Turkish immigration authorities and the Irish Embassy cannot intervene in individual cases relating to visas and overstays.

Travelling with children

If you are leaving Türkiye with a child who is a dual Irish-Turkish national, you may be asked to show the Turkish immigration authorities evidence that the Turkish parent has given permission for the child to travel.

Buying property

If you’re intending to buy property in Türkiye, we strongly advise you to consult an independent legal advisor from the beginning of the process. Procedures in relation to property purchases differ significantly from those in Ireland and investors are advised to research the matter thoroughly before entering into any agreement.

For general advice on property purchases in Türkiye, check the Turkish Ministry for Foreign Affairs Guidance for Foreigners.