Covid-19 Travel Restrictions and Current Regulations in Turkey

Covid-19 travel restrictions may differ according to country. Especially in countries where the number of Covid-19 cases is high, different restrictions are applied compared to others. For Turkey, the Covid-19 travel restrictions, which were last updated on 1 July 2021, are in effect. It is important to pay attention to some rules, especially when entering Turkey from some countries.

Covid-19 Travel Restrictions in Turkey

Covid-19 travel restrictions decisions were officially announced for Turkey on July 1, 2021. In line with these current decisions, some rules have been put into effect when entering and leaving the country. In this circular, also published by the Department of Foreign Affairs, travel bans for some countries are also applied.

1-      Countries with Travel Ban

There are a few countries that have a travel ban to Turkey within the scope of Covid-19 travel restrictions. These countries include Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. These countries, which are mentioned within the scope of Turkey travel restrictions, are allowed to take transit flights.

With the decisions taken within the scope of Covid-19 travel restrictions, quarantine is also applied to people coming from restricted countries, even if they are citizens of a different country. Accordingly, regardless of the PCR test result, these people must remain in quarantine for 14 days.

2-      Countries with Compulsory Quarantine Requested

In line with the principles of Covid-19 travel restrictions, there is a 10-day mandatory quarantine requirement for people coming from some countries. According to Turkey travel and entry restrictions, there is a quarantine obligation for people coming from Pakistan and Afghanistan. These people are also subjected to PCR testing on the 7th day during the 10-day mandatory quarantine. If the result of the PCR test is negative, the mandatory quarantine will also end.

If the result of the PCR test is positive within the scope of Covid-19 travel restrictions, then T.C. The decisions taken by the Ministry of Health are implemented.

3-      Countries with Compulsory PCR Test

Among the decisions taken with the Covid-19 travel restrictions, there is also the obligation of PCR testing. Accordingly, PCR tests are requested from passengers from the United Kingdom, Singapore, Iran, and Egypt. According to a decision taken within the scope of Turkey travel regulations, the PCR test result must be obtained 72 hours before entering the country.

Within the scope of Covid-19 travel restrictions, there is no quarantine obligation for people who have negative PCR tests. If people from these countries have a positive PCR test result, they are not allowed to travel to Turkey. Persons with a positive test result can only enter Turkey when their second test is negative.

4-      Countries Excluded from Scope

According to the Covid-19 travel restrictions application, there are some details that concern people traveling to Turkey from other countries. Accordingly, no tests are expected from people who have received two doses of vaccine and have been infected with Covid-19 before. These people are expected to have been vaccinated at least 14 days before entering the country. Likewise, people who have had Covid-19 should have had the disease at least 6 months ago.