How to extend the stay of a car with foreign license plates in Turkey in 2025: A complete guide

Turkey remains one of the most popular destinations for road travelers and relocators. However, the rules for the temporary importation of vehicles (the so-called “Triptik”) are strictly regulated by the Turkish Ministry of Commerce (Ticaret Bakanlığı) and are constantly being updated. In 2025, important amendments are in effect that directly affect the possibility of extending the stay of a car with foreign license plates in the country.

This article, prepared taking into account official data from Ticaret Bakanlığı and Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu (TURING), provides a comprehensive guide to the legal use and extension of your car’s stay in Turkey in 2025.

Fundamental rules of temporary importation

The possibility of importing and the length of stay of a foreign car in Turkey depend on two key factors: the residence status of the owner and compliance with the 185-day rule.

The condition of “Living abroad” (Yurtdışında Yerleşik Olma)

To be eligible for temporary importation of a car, the owner must be recognized as “residing outside Turkey.” This means that at the time of entry into Turkey, he must have actually been outside the country for at least 185 days during the last year (365 days).

• How does 185 days count? All entries and exits from Turkey over the past year are taken into account. 185 days are not required to be continuous.
• Status Verification: Turkish citizens can check their “yurtdışında yerleşik olma” status through the e-government portal E-Devlet using the “Yurt Dışında Yerleşiklik Sorgulama” service.

Maximum stay (730 days)

For persons who meet the condition of “residence abroad”, the maximum total period of temporary importation of a car is 730 days (2 years).

Important: If you leave Turkey by car before the expiration of 730 days, the next time you enter, the period will be reduced by the number of days spent in Turkey. In order to receive a new full period of 730 days, it is necessary to fulfill the condition of 185 days of stay abroad again.

Legalization and “Extension” through guest rooms (MA-MZ)

In Turkey, there is no procedure for “extending” the temporary importation of a car beyond the established period of 730 days. However, owners of certain types of residence permits can legalize their vehicle by obtaining special Turkish guest numbers (MA–MZ series).

Who is eligible for legalization?

Foreigners with the following residence permits have the right to legalize (temporary import with collateral):

1. A working residence permit (Çalışma Izni).
2. Student residence permit (Öğrenci Ikamet Izni).
3. A pensionable residence permit (if there is a corresponding certificate).

A tourist or family residence permit does not grant the right to legalize a car.

Legalization procedure (TURING)

Legalization is carried out through the authorized organization Turkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu (TURING) and includes the following steps::

1. Contacting TURING: Submitting an application and the necessary documents.
2. Collateral assessment and calculation: TURING evaluates the vehicle and calculates the amount of customs duty (ÖTV and KDV) to be paid as collateral (guarantee). The deposit is returned to the owner upon final removal of the car from Turkey.
3. Getting MA-MZ numbers: After making a deposit and checking in, the car is assigned Turkish guest numbers.
4. Duration of use: The car can stay in the country for up to two years, with the possibility of subsequent extensions if the validity period of the residence permit or work permit is also extended.

Critical condition: The 185-day rule for legalization

The most important condition for obtaining MA-MZ numbers is to comply with the 185-day rule in the context of the date of obtaining a residence permit:

No more than 185 days should elapse between the date of entry of the car into Turkey and the date of receipt of a work, student or retirement residence permit.

If this period is exceeded, it is no longer possible to apply for legalization (customs clearance with a deposit), and the car must be removed from the country.

Special status for cars from Ukraine (2025)

Due to the martial law in Ukraine, the Turkish authorities have previously provided multiple automatic extensions of the stay of Ukrainian cars. However, this practice will cease in 2025.

• Official termination: Automatic renewal based on a special provision is cancelled.
• Deadline: The last validity period of previously issued extensions is set until December 31, 2025.
• Owners’ actions: Owners of Ukrainian cars who have been in Turkey for more than two years must either remove the vehicle or legalize it according to standard rules by the end of 2025 (through TURING, if they meet the 185-day condition and have a corresponding residence permit).

Fines and sanctions (Tariffs 2025)

Violation of the rules of temporary importation entails serious financial sanctions and the risk of confiscation of the car.

Checklist for car owners in Turkey (2025)

To ensure the legal status of your car, follow these steps:

1. Check the status: Use the E-Devlet to check your “yurtdışında yerleşik olma” status and the length of stay of the car.
2. Determine your residence permit: If you have a tourist residence permit, plan to export your car before the deadline.
3. Evaluate the possibility of legalization: If you have a work, student, or retirement residence permit, check whether you meet the 185-day deadline from the moment of entry of the car to obtaining a residence permit.
4. Contact TURING: If you meet the conditions, do not delay the legalization procedure to obtain MA-MZ numbers.
5. Departure without a car: If you need to leave Turkey without a car, be sure to hand it over to customs or issue a taahutname via E-Devlet to avoid fines. Remember that when registering a taahyutname, the car’s stay time continues to go on.

Conclusion

Turkey continues to tighten control over foreign cars, seeking to restore order in the field of temporary importation. In 2025, strict compliance with the 185-day rule and the availability of an appropriate migration status remains a key factor. Violation of these rules can lead to serious fines and even confiscation of the vehicle. Timely planning and contacting authorized authorities (TURING, Ticaret Bakanlığı) is the only way to legally keep your car in Turkey.

Sources:

• T.C. Ticaret Bakanlığı, Gümrükler Genel Müdürlüğü, “Yabancı Plakalı Kara Taşıtları İçin Yolcu Rehberi” (03.01.2025)
• 4458 Sayılı Gümrük Kanunu (Customs Code)
• Türkiye Turing ve Otomobil Kurumu (TURİNG)