Turkey's Travel Requirements: Navigating Pcr Test Needs

As of July 2023, Turkey does not require a PCR test for entry. However, this was not always the case. From December 30, 2020, until further notice, Turkey required all visitors aged over six to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before boarding. This applied to all arrivals by land, sea, or air, with some exceptions for transit passengers. The test had to be taken within a maximum period of 72 hours before departure, and passengers had to submit their results to the flight operator company before takeoff. Turkey also implemented other COVID-related restrictions, such as the requirement to fill out a special electronic form called the Entrance Form to Turkey for passengers on flights to the country.

PCR testing requirements for entry into Turkey

As of March 2021, the Turkish government imposed new measures for travellers from all over the world. All visitors wishing to enter Turkey are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before boarding. This rule applies to all arrivals by land, sea, or air, and the test must be conducted within a maximum period of 72 hours from all visitors, even those who have been previously vaccinated. Passengers must submit their test results to the flight operator company before take-off and the test cannot be done upon arrival in Turkey.

However, there are some exemptions to this rule. Transit flight passengers through any Turkish airport or Turkish Airlines flights are not required to present a negative PCR test if they remain in the transit area and do not leave until their next flight. Additionally, Turkey does not require PCR tests for domestic travel within the country, and leading airline Turkish Airlines has announced that proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test result is not necessary when boarding.

It is important to note that these restrictions may not be current, and the situation may have changed since the sources were published. For the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to refer to official government sources.

Transit passengers and PCR tests

As of 30 December 2020, Turkey introduced new measures requiring all international travellers, including those in transit, to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test before boarding their flight. This applied to all passengers over the age of six, even those who had been previously vaccinated. However, this rule was later amended, and as of 1 January 2021, transit passengers were no longer required to present a negative PCR test result when changing planes at a Turkish airport. This exemption only applies if the passenger stays in the transit area and does not enter Turkish territory.

If a traveller's flight ticket is for an indirect transit flight, meaning they need to collect their luggage and prepare for takeoff, they will need to enter Turkey and therefore present a negative PCR test result. Additionally, if a traveller wishes to take a break in Turkey for 12 hours or more before reaching their final destination, they will need to take a PCR test.

Istanbul Airport has one of the world's fastest and most reliable testing centres, offering results in eight hours or less. The testing centre is located in the Arrivals Hall, and no appointment is necessary as it is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The test costs 260 Turkish lira or about $33, and results can be obtained online or printed.

Quarantine rules for travellers to Turkey

As of March 2021, Turkey has imposed new measures for travellers from all over the world. All travellers wishing to enter Turkey are required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before boarding. This rule has been in place since 30 December 2020 and applies to all visitors, including those who have been previously vaccinated against COVID-19. The test must be conducted within a maximum period of 72 hours before departure.

For travellers arriving by land or sea without a PCR test, they will be required to quarantine where they planned to reside.

• All travellers must submit their negative COVID-19 PCR test results to the flight operator company before taking off. The test cannot be done upon arrival in Turkey.
• Transit flight passengers who remain in the transit area and do not leave until their next flight are not required to present a negative PCR test. However, if they need to enter Turkish territory to take off on their next flight, they will need to present a negative PCR test result.
• Travellers from Afghanistan and Pakistan, for example, will need to show a negative PCR test result and adhere to a mandatory quarantine of at least seven days. They must then conduct a second medical test, and depending on the result, they will either end their quarantine or undergo medical treatment if the infection is confirmed.
• Turkish citizens, Turkish residency holders, and Mavi cardholders travelling from Denmark and Spain must present a negative PCR test within 72 hours before their scheduled flight. Upon arrival, they must adhere to a 7-day quarantine that ends with a PCR examination. Depending on the result, they will either complete the quarantine or undergo medical treatment if COVID symptoms are proven.
• All passengers arriving in Turkey via third countries who have visited the United Kingdom during the last ten days will also be isolated for 14 days in places chosen by Turkish officials after their arrival.

Where to get a PCR test in Istanbul

As of 30 December 2020, all travellers to Turkey must present a negative PCR test result before boarding their flight. This includes travellers who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The test must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Istanbul Airport has a COVID-19 testing centre, located in front of Entrance 14 in the Arrivals Hall. The test costs 260 Turkish lira (around $33) and results are available in 1.5 hours on average. No appointment is necessary, and the centre is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However, you must be able to legally enter Turkey to access the testing centre, as it is located after the passport control point.

If you are already in Turkey and need to take a PCR test before your flight, you can either use the airport health centre or visit one of the authorised diagnostic laboratories. A list of these laboratories is available on the Turkish government website. The test must be taken at least 12 hours and no more than 48 hours before your flight.

If you would prefer not to visit a testing centre, you can book a premium home testing service through Istanbul Airport. A team of trained medical professionals will come to your home or another location of your choice in Istanbul and perform a swab test. Results are available within 24 to 48 hours and are shared digitally.

Turkey's COVID-19 travel restrictions

As of July 2023, Turkey has no COVID-19 travel restrictions and is not requiring arrivals to be tested or to quarantine. However, this is a recent development, and in the past, Turkey has imposed restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

From December 30, 2020, until further notice, the Turkish government imposed new measures for travellers from all over the world. All visitors wishing to enter Turkey, including those who had been vaccinated, were required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before boarding. The test had to be conducted within a maximum period of 72 hours for all visitors aged six and above. This applied to all arrivals by land, sea, or air, and there were additional quarantine requirements for travellers from certain countries.

For travellers arriving by air, the PCR test result had to be submitted to the flight operator company before take-off and could not be done upon arrival in Turkey. Transit passengers through any Turkish airport or Turkish Airlines flights were exempt from this requirement if they did not leave the transit area. However, if they needed to enter Turkish territory to collect their luggage and prepare for a flight take-off, they would need to present a negative PCR test result.

From March 14, 2021, all international passengers arriving in Turkey were also required to fill out the "Entrance Form to Turkey" 72 hours before departure. This form was to be submitted, along with the negative PCR test result, to the flight operator company before take-off. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in legal and administrative sanctions and denial of entry into Turkey.

These restrictions were in place until at least May 2021. By July 2024, Turkey had lifted all COVID-19-related travel restrictions.

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