Turkey’s borders have remained open to International visitors since June 2020. Having endured a spike in Covid-19 cases during the first half of 2021, which resulted in a 17-day lockdown, Turkey has now eased the entry restrictions for international tourists. As of August 2021, Turkish authorities have ended the nighttime curfew and Sunday lockdowns, and businesses have started opening up.
If you wish to travel to Turkey during the Covid-19 pandemic, here’s what you need to know and expect.
Who Can Enter Turkey As Tourists
Visitors from all countries are allowed to enter Turkey as tourists. However, the entry restrictions will vary depending on the country in which the tourist came from or visited in the past 14 days. Visitors who came from countries with high cases of Covid-19 infection or those with the virus variant of concerns will have to undergo testing and quarantine, regardless of the vaccination status.
Travel Entry Requirements for Tourists
To limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of everyone, the Turkish Government implemented entry restrictions for all tourists entering the country. The travel restrictions will vary, depending on the country they came from.
- Those who came from Bangladesh, Brazil, South Africa, India, Nepal, or Sri Lanka are required to submit a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure. Upon arrival, they must quarantine for 14 days at government quarantine facilities. On the final day of their quarantine, another test will be conducted. If negative, they can end their quarantine. Otherwise, they will be asked to complete another 14-day quarantine.
- Those who came from Pakistan and Afghanistan must also submit a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure to Turkey. However, they will only spend 10 days in quarantine. A second test will be conducted on day 7. If the result is negative, they can end their quarantine. Otherwise, they will be asked to complete another 14-day quarantine.
- Travelers who came from the UK, Iran, Egypt, and Singapore are also required to submit a negative PCR test taken within at least 72 hours of leaving for Turkey, regardless of their vaccination status.
All other international tourists must submit proof of a negative result taken via PCR test in the past 72 hours of departure. If through antigen test, it must be taken within 48 hours of departure.
Travelers who have been vaccinated and it’s already been 14 days since they received the vaccine can skip the testing requirement. Those who can show proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past six months can also skip the testing requirement.
Other Travel Requirements
All passengers are required to complete the Turkey Entry Form at least 72 hours before their departure to Turkey. The form must be printed to present upon arrival. A soft copy can also be presented through a mobile phone.
Airport authorities are conducting random testing on all arriving passengers. Passengers who will be tested can proceed to their destination after testing, but if their test turned out positive, they will be contacted by authorities and be put in isolation for 14 days, together with their companions and close contacts. They will be tested on the 10th day, and if the result is negative, they can end isolation.
Kids below six years old are not required to submit testing. Passengers on transit at Turkish airports are also not required to submit a negative Covid-19 test result.
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