The short answer

British and Irish citizens do not need a visa to visit Turkey for tourism or business. You can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Both passports need at least 150 days left after the date you arrive; the small differences are below.

British citizen passport Irish passport
Visa for tourism or business Not needed Not needed
Maximum stay 90 days in any 180 days 90 days in any 180 days
Passport validity on arrival At least 150 days after the date you arrive At least 150 days after the date you arrive
Blank pages At least 1 —
Passport card accepted? — No — full passport book only
Official source GOV.UK Ireland.ie

Who does need a visa

  • Other types of British passport — British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen and similar passports need a visa. Check with the Turkish Embassy in London before you book.
  • Holders of an Irish Travel Document — including non-Irish family members of Irish citizens — need a visa before travel. Contact the Turkish Embassy in Dublin.
  • Anyone travelling to work, study or for medical treatment — these purposes have their own visa rules. See the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information.

If you need a Turkish e-Visa, only apply through the official site, evisa.gov.tr. Unofficial sites charge extra fees.

Travelling with children

Children need their own passport with the same validity as an adult’s. If you’re leaving Turkey with a dual British–Turkish or Irish–Turkish child, you may need written permission from the Turkish parent. Some hotels also refuse to check in under-18s travelling without a parent unless they have written (sometimes notarised) consent — check with your hotel first.

Dual nationals

If you also hold Turkish nationality, you still need a valid British passport (or a certificate of entitlement) to return to the UK, or a valid Irish passport to return to Ireland.

Customs: what you can bring in and out

  • There is no limit on the foreign currency or Turkish lira you can bring in.
  • You cannot take out Turkish lira worth more than US$5,000. Other currency over US$5,000 must be declared.
  • Banned in both directions: controlled drugs, firearms, offensive weapons (including flick knives and self-defence sprays), endangered animals and plants, and obscene material.
  • Antiquities: buying or exporting antiquities is illegal and can lead to a prison sentence of 5 to 12 years. Get a receipt and check the status of any “old” item before you buy it.
  • Medicines: some common medicines are controlled in Turkey. Carry them in original packaging with a copy of your prescription or a GP letter.

Day trip to a Greek island?

Greece is in the Schengen area and uses the EU Entry/Exit System, which takes your fingerprints and photo at the border. Allow extra time and check Greece’s entry rules before you go.

Last checked: 8 November 2026. Rules can change at short notice — always confirm with GOV.UK or Ireland.ie before you travel.