🇹🇷 Turkey – Precise Rules of Conduct for Travellers

PRACTICAL GUIDE · AS OF 2025

Legally clear. Culturally correct. Practically applicable.

Note: This is a precise practical guide. Legal changes are possible. In case of doubt, the information from the German Federal Foreign Office or the Turkish authorities always applies.

🏛️ 1. Cultural & natural heritage – utmost caution

Turkish law protects archaeological objects extremely strictly. Any find is potentially considered cultural property – regardless of intention or place of discovery.

Problem: very broad interpretation by the authorities

Even the impression of something being “old" or “archaeological" is enough to trigger an investigation. It makes no difference whether the object was picked up deliberately.

Objects that have frequently led to arrests:

Shards (clay, ceramic, glass)
Stones with patterns or an unusual shape
Supposed fossils
Pieces of metal that look like coins

Consequences:

💡 TIP

Immediate arrest on suspicion
High bail (several thousand euros)
Prison sentences of several years upon conviction

💵 2. Banknotes & Atatürk – zero tolerance for disrespect

Atatürk is a national symbol under special legal protection. Damaging or mocking his image is a criminal offence.

Prohibited:

Accidental folding is not a problem – deliberate disrespect is.

Writing or drawing on banknotes
Tearing, burning or wilfully damaging banknotes
Depicting images of Atatürk in a ridiculous way

🚗 3. Traffic & fines – recorded directly in the system

50 km/h in built-up areas

Pay within 15 days → approx. 25 % discount

90 km/h on country roads

Unpaid fines → problems on later entry

120 km/h on motorways

Regional variations possible

💡 TIP

🍻 4. Alcohol & public spaces

Alcohol is legal, but often restricted in public. Local rules can be strict.

Licensed restaurants/bars, hotels, private areas

Drinking in parks, on streets and squares; in many regions on beaches

Tourist centres are more tolerant

Ramadan: during the day, outside tourist areas, avoid eating/drinking where others can see if possible

📸 5. Photography & drones – common tourist traps

Strictly forbidden to photograph:

Military, police posts, border installations
Security areas of airports
Bridges, tunnels, dams, government buildings

Drones:

💡 TIP

Registration required
In cities such as Istanbul, flying is prohibited practically everywhere
Consequences: confiscation + fine + possibly criminal proceedings

💊 6. Drugs & medication

Even small quantities of illegal substances lead to investigations.

Personal use: sentences of several years possible
Dealing/transport: very long prison sentences
Medication with narcotic effects → carry a medical certificate (in English)

💻 7. Politics & social media

💡 TIP

Insulting the President: sentences of several years possible
Insulting Atatürk, the flag or the national anthem → immediate arrest possible
Political posts made abroad can be relevant if they can be accessed in Turkey

👗 8. Clothing & behaviour

Mosque

Women: hair/arms/legs covered.
Men: long trousers.

Holding hands is fine, kissing is not.

Conservative areas

Shoulders/knees covered

No intense displays of affection

Beach regions

Swimwear only on the beach

Normal affection tolerated

🔞 9. Sexual harassment & scams

“Romance scams" in tourist resorts
Do not leave drinks unattended
Prostitution: legally delicate → risk of checks/blackmail

🏥 10. Medical care

Travel health insurance including repatriation is essentially a must
Private clinics often demand direct payment
Mosquito protection is important (West Nile virus in coastal regions)

📞 11. Emergency numbers

General emergency number (ambulance, fire brigade, police)

Police (direct)

Jandarma (rural areas)

German missions:

Embassy Ankara: +90 312 455 51 00
Consulate General Istanbul: +90 212 334 61 00
Consulate Antalya: +90 242 314 11 01

🧾 12. Ultra-precise checklist

✓ CHECKLIST

✓
Passport + digital backup
✓
Insurance including repatriation
✓
Medication + certificate in English
✓
Do not take anything from the ground
✓
Do not raise political topics
✓
Correct clothing in mosques
✓
Drones only with a permit
✓
Save emergency numbers in your phone