Buying and Using a Car with a Residence Permit in Turkey
Purchase:
To purchase a car in Turkey, you must have a Tax ID Number (YKN). The car should be registered with the Traffic Police (Trafik Tescil) within 30 days of purchase.
Taxes and Insurance:
Mandatory insurance is required for all vehicles. The vehicle tax is determined based on the engine capacity.
Import:
You can import a vehicle into Turkey for up to 2 years. After this period, you must either export the car or pay the necessary customs duties.
Usage:
Only the car's owner and close family members are allowed to drive the vehicle.
Sale:
The car can only be sold to foreigners or exported outside Turkey.
Fines:
All fines related to the vehicle must be paid before leaving the country.
Purchasing a Car with a Residence Permit in Turkey
If you hold a residence permit in Turkey, you can purchase a car by registering it under your name, provided you have a Foreign Identification Number (YKN) issued with your residence permit. Turkish license plates for foreigners start with "MA" (e.g., 34 MA 1234).
The Process of Buying a Car:
- The purchase is formalized through a notary and registered in the Noter Satış Sözleşmesi system.
- Within 30 days after the purchase, the vehicle must be registered at the Traffic Police (Trafik Tescil Şube Müdürlüğü) to obtain new plates.
Taxes and Insurance:
- The annual tax (MTV) varies depending on the car's age and engine capacity.
- A mandatory traffic insurance (Trafik Sigortası) is required immediately after the purchase.
- Comprehensive car insurance (Kasko Sigortası) is not compulsory but is recommended, particularly for high-value vehicles.
Importing a Car into Turkey:
- If you already own a car, you can bring it into Turkey for a maximum of 2 years.
- The car must be registered in your name.
- After 2 years, the car must either be exported or customs duties must be paid (which can be very costly).
Selling a Car to a Foreigner:
- A foreign car can only be sold to another foreigner or exported abroad.
- Turkish citizens are not allowed to purchase cars with "MA" plates unless the vehicle has been cleared through customs.
Rules for Using a Foreign Vehicle in Turkey with a Residence Permit
Importing a Foreign Car:
- The maximum duration a foreign vehicle can stay in Turkey is 730 days (2 years).
- The car must be registered in your name.
- The car owner must enter Turkey with the car.
- After 2 years, the car must be exported for at least 185 days; otherwise, customs duties will apply.
Who Can Drive the Car?
- Only the owner and their immediate family members (spouse, children, parents) are allowed to drive the vehicle.
- Turkish citizens are prohibited from driving cars with foreign license plates.
- Transferring the vehicle to third parties, even foreigners, is prohibited.
Required Documents:
- Passport or residence permit
- Vehicle registration document (Tech Passport)
- Customs declaration (Taahhütname) – issued upon entry into the country
- Valid car insurance (Trafik Sigortası) covering Turkey
- Green card (if the insurance company covers Turkey)
Selling a Car in Turkey:
- You cannot sell a foreign vehicle in Turkey without first clearing it through customs.
- You can export the car and sell it abroad.
Fines and Restrictions:
- All fines must be paid before leaving the country.
- Be sure to follow the traffic rules, as Turkish cameras monitor violations.
- If the car is not exported on time, it may be confiscated by the authorities.
