Turkiye

VISA REGIME

For holders of diplomatic and official passports:	A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days for a period of 6 months from the date of first entry.
For holders of national passports and other travel documents:	A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days for a period of 6 months from the date of first entry.
Note:	Visa is not required for the holder of an emergency travel document in transit.

 

ENTERING AND LEAVING THE COUNTRY
Citizens of the Republic of Serbia do not need a visa to enter the Republic of Turkiye and stay for up to 90 days in a period of 6 months, counting from the day of the first entry. Citizens of the Republic of Serbia who wish to stay in the Republic of Turkiye for more than 90 days can apply for a visa through this website: www.visa.gov.tr.
Foreign citizens entering Turkiye are required to have a passport valid for at least 60 days after the expiration date of the visa or residence permit, or a visa-free stay (visa-free stay for Serbian citizens is 90 days for a period of 6 months), which means that the validity period of the travel document must be at least 150 days, i.e., 5 months from the date of entry into Turkey.

SOCIAL SECURITY AGREEMENT
No social security agreement has been concluded.

USEFUL INFORMATION

HEALTH SITUATION — Sanitary conditions in Turkish hotel facilities are very good and can be compared to those in any other part of the developed world. The only warning refers to the quality of tap water, which is generally not satisfactory, and it is recommended that it be used exclusively for personal hygiene and other technical needs, and that only bottled water be used for drinking.
It is recommended to obtain travel health insurance before traveling.

SECURITY SITUATION — We advise all citizens of the Republic of Serbia traveling to the Republic of Türkiye to adhere to the security recommendations, to regularly follow media announcements regarding the security situation, as well as the recommendations of local authorities.
During the busy tourist season, which lasts from May to November, it is advised to be more cautious and avoid prolonged stay and spending time in public places and at tourist attractions where a large number of people are present, both in Istanbul and Ankara, and in other larger cities. It is necessary to pay special attention to the possible holding of demonstrations or protest rallies, and to avoid them, bearing in mind that they pose a security risk.
The southeastern zone affected by the earthquake in February 2023 is in the process of renovation and construction, and caution is advised when potentially staying in these provinces.
Precaution is also recommended in some provinces in the southeast of the country, especially in the zone where there are on-going actions of clearing terrorist elements related to the so-called Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), about which the public is regularly informed.
The situation along the border with Syria is generally stable, but there is occasional risk of cross-border action on the border with Iraq.
Even though the rate of street crime in Türkiye is relatively low, extra caution is needed when staying in tourist destinations (Istanbul ― Taksim Square, Sultan Ahmet Palace, streets around the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar) and in larger coastal towns. Citizens are advised to carry copies of their passports and only the most necessary personal items, and that they safely store their documents and items of greater value in hotel safes.
If Serbian citizens become victims of crime, they should immediately inform the local police and the nearest diplomatic and consular mission of the Republic of Serbia.
Serbian citizens, arrested on the territory of the Republic of Türkiye, have the right to request that the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Ankara, i.e., the Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Istanbul be informed about it (specifically, travellers should know that insulting the Turkish state, the character and deeds of Ataturk, the government, the flag, or the security forces, is punishable by Turkish law, and especially when it comes to activities on social networks in this regard. Lack of invoices and certificates for purchased antiques can be grounds for deprivation of liberty and criminal prosecution).

TRANSPORT – The largest number of tourists comes to Turkey by air, but the road infrastructure is very developed and of high quality, with highways of the highest category on the route Edirne-Istanbul-Ankara, i.e. towards Izmir and Bodrum, as well as in certain other parts of the country. The inner network of air transport is very developed. That also applies to bus transport, which is also of high quality. Rail road infrastructure is improving, especially with the introduction of high-speed lines between major centers. Ticket prices in domestic air, bus and rail transport are very affordable.
For those who come with their own vehicle, it is necessary to provide a green insurance card. The national driver's license can be used for a maximum of six months, i.e. 90 out of 180 days in the case of a tourist stay. The same regulation applies to the length of stay of vehicles with foreign license plates (maximum 90 days).
The use of tolled highways (Edirne-Istanbul-Ankara route, as well as the branch towards Izmir and Bodrum, but also some other sections of the highest category roads), as well as bridges over the Bosphorus, is subject to the automatic contactless payment regime (HGS system), for which, upon entering the country, it is necessary to make an order at the PTT branch (it is located immediately after the border crossing of Kapikula near Edirne, as well as along the highway) and make an advance payment (if the due obligation is not settled within 7 days, a fine will be charged upon exit).
The Republic of Turkey registers traffic violations based on vehicle data and data on the person who entered the country in said vehicle. Payment of traffic fines for vehicles with foreign license plates is possible via the website www.gib.gov.tr in the "Foreign Vehicle Payments" menu (Yabasnci Plakali Ara9 Čdemeleri - Foreign Vehicle Payments - direct link https://dijital.gib.gov.tr/hizliQdemeler/yabanciAracQdemeleri) where by entering the number of the plate (in capital letters and combined) and by entering the security code, information about the penalty will be displayed.

OTHER INFORMATION — Time zone: GMT + 3 (one hour ahead compared to summertime / 2 hours ahead compared to wintertime in Serbia).

The national currency is the Turkish lira (TL). Leading foreign convertible currencies can be exchanged for the national currency in exchange offices and banks with developed networks, both in tourist places and in all cities.

Important telephone numbers:
• Call centre for foreigners 00 90 157,
• Fire brigade 110,
• Ambulance 112,
• Police 155,
• Gendarmerie 156,
• Coast Guard 158,
• Forest fires 177,
• Funeral Service 188,
• Tourist Info Centre 170,
• International telephone operator 115,
• Domestic telephone operator 131,
• Telephone Information Service 118.

Calls to emergency services are free of charge and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (it is possible to reach emergency services through public payphones without the need for telephone cards).

Contact information:
For consular assistance and protection while in the Republic of Turkiye, you may contact:
• Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Ankara (address: YazanlarSokakNo. 1, P.K.28, 06691 Kavaklidere, Ankara, Turkiye), at the following number: 00 090 31 24 26 02 36 and e-mail address: embserank@gmail.com,
• Consulate General of the Republic of Serbia in Istanbul (address: SümbülSk. No: 2, LeventMah. Besiktas, 34330 Istanbul, Turkiye), at the following number: 00 090 21 22 13 52 29 and e-mail address: konzulat.istanbul@mfa.rs.