Traveling to Turkey may seem simple, but there is a detail that surprises many Portuguese: the passport needs to have at least six months of validity on the date of entry into the country. Even if the document has not yet expired, if less than this period, the Turkish authorities may refuse entry.
According to insurer IATI Seguros, this rule is strictly applied and has led to unexpected situations at airports. Many travelers only realize the problem when arriving at the immigration counter, when they are informed that the passport, although valid, does not comply with the required six months.
Essential rules for entry
According to the same source, Portuguese citizens can enter Turkey with passport or citizen card. However, there are situations where only the passport is accepted, notably when the stay is more than three months, if the traveler takes with him goods that need to be declared or when he enters the country from Iran, Iraq or Syria.
In addition, the passport must have at least one free page for the entry, identified with the word “Giris”. Those traveling only with a citizen card receives a form on the border, which needs to be kept until the exit. If the document is lost, the return may be compromised.
Documentation for minors and special authorizations
For minors traveling alone or accompanied by only one of the parents, a certified travel permit is recommended, preferably translated into English or Turkish. This practice avoids problems in border control and accelerates processes to the country’s arrival and departure.
According to the same source, it is also important to check the customs requirements in advance. Travelers with value objects or additional electronic equipment may have to declare these assets at the entrance.
Driving and rules for vehicles
Those who want to drive in Türkiye can use the Portuguese driving license for six months. For higher stays, the International Charter may be required. For entry with its own vehicle, there are specific rules: the car cannot be more than 20 years old and will be registered directly on the owner’s passport.
According to it, it is mandatory to present valid insurance, whether Green Card or a third party policy obtained at the border. For periods of permanence exceeding three months, a triptic or passage to the vehicle is also required.
Safety and Travel Recommendations
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that driving in Türkiye requires extra attention. It advises to avoid driving at night due to the unpredictability of traffic and the irregular state of some roads.
Another important care is to confirm, at the time of entry, if the passport was properly stamped. It is this record that will allow the authorities to verify the duration of the stay and avoid problems in boarding.
More than Istanbul and Cappadocia
After the bureaucracy has been overcome, Turkey proves to be a country rich in experiences. Writes the Vaga Mundos Blog that, in addition to Istanbul and Cappadocia, there are less exploited destinations that are worth visiting, such as the ruins of Ephesus, the Pamukkale travertins, Van’s salty lake or Mardin’s historic city.
Istanbul remains the most famous starting point, where the Byzantine and Ottoman heritage feels in monuments such as Hagia Sofia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace and the Great Bazaar. It is in the city that the meeting between Europe and Asia is more intensely perceived.
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