Change of https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/turkey

Change description : 2026-05-14 16:39:00: New information about the upcoming UEFA Europa League Final on 20 May (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2026-05-08 15:35:49.486209640 +00:00..2026-05-14 15:41:49.641983709 +00:00

Foreign travel advice

Turkey

! Warning FCDO advises against all travel to parts of Turkey.

Warnings and insurance

Still current at:
814 May 2026
Updated:
814 May 2026
Latest update:
UpdatedNew information onabout Ramadan,the terrorismupcoming andUEFA childrenEuropa andLeague accommodationFinal (‘Safetyon 20 May ('Warnings and security’insurance' page).

Download a more detailed map (PDF, 1.31 MB)

Areas where FCDO advises against travel

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).

Turkey-Syria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.

Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.

Support from the UK government

While 24-hour consular assistance is available by phone or online, in-person consular support is severely limited in areas where we advise against travel.

UEFA Europa League Final

Istanbul will stage the UEFA Europa League Final (UELF26) on Wednesday 20 May, with Aston Villa FC and SC Freiburg in the final. If you are travelling to Istanbul for UELF26, read our Travel advice and sign up to FCDO Travel advice email alerts. 

British nationals should: 

  • plan your movement around the city to arrive at the dedicated fan zone in Gezi Park, Taksim Square or the stadium well in advance of the match starting 

  • follow the instructions of the local authorities 

  • take care of your personal possessions including passports, especially in crowds and on public transport

Further information can be found on the Aston Villa FC website and the UEFA event guide for UELF26.

Regional escalation

Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.

British nationals should:

  • read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
  • follow advice from the local authorities
  • sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
  • monitor local and international media for the latest information
  • stay away from areas around security or military facilities
  • keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
  • if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you:

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

View a printable version of the whole guide

Update history

2026-05-14 16:39
New information about the upcoming UEFA Europa League Final on 20 May (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-05-08 16:33
Updated information on Ramadan, terrorism and children and accommodation (‘Safety and security’ page).

2026-03-01 17:30
New information about entering Turkey across the land border from Iran (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2026-02-27 22:32
Updated information about the risks of regional escalation (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2026-02-27 10:01
Updated information on health, crime, and outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Safety and security’ and ‘Health’ pages).

2026-01-14 21:35
There is a heightened risk of regional tension. Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-12-10 12:50
New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2025-10-10 17:24
Addition of information about checking the entry requirements for Greece, if you are considering day trips to Greek islands from Turkey (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2025-08-22 15:58
New information about advice on swimming and beaches (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-07-31 13:36
Updated with information about the risks from terrorism (‘Safety and security’ page’).

2025-07-25 16:22
Addition of information about access to e-sim services (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-07-07 16:48
Removal of information on entering Turkey across the land border from Iran.

2025-07-04 17:46
Information about wildfires in Turkey (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-06-20 14:58
New information on entering Turkey across the land border from Iran (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2025-06-04 17:20
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through airports (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-06-04 15:00
Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through airports (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-05-27 12:03
Updated information about taxi safety (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-05-20 13:52
Addition of information about the risks of paragliding, or being near paragliding landing zones (‘Extreme sports’ section of ‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-04-23 13:48
Addition of information that a 6.2 magnitude earthquake has hit near Istanbul (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-04-22 14:22
Refreshed information in the safety and security section including risks around sexual assault and the addition of information on dates for Ramadan in 2026 (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-03-24 15:51
Update on demonstrations and protests (‘Warnings and insurance’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).

2025-02-28 15:55
Refreshed advice about counterfeit alcohol in Turkey (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2025-02-07 15:12
Information updated on the risks from counterfeit alcohol (‘Safety and security’ page).

2025-02-05 11:30
New information added about Ramadan in Turkey in 2025 (See ‘Laws and cultural differences’ on the ‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-12-20 13:45
Updated information on the risk of counterfeit alcohol (‘Safety and security’ page)

2024-12-05 15:08
New information about counterfeit banknotes (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-10-26 08:49
Information on Israeli attacks against Iran; risks of regional escalation (‘Regional risks’)

2024-10-24 18:16
Information about increased security measures at Turkish airports (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2024-10-23 16:46
Information on a terrorist attack 40km northwest of central Ankara (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2024-10-08 10:03
FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Sirnak city and Hakkari province, but continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria (‘Warnings and insurance’ page). In addition, this travel advice was reviewed for accuracy.

2024-06-28 13:51
New information on extreme temperatures and removal of warning on salmonella (See ‘Extreme weather and natural disasters’ on the Safety and Security page, and ‘Vaccinations and health risks’ on the Health page).

2024-06-24 16:32
Information on sexual assault (‘Safety and security’ page).

2024-05-17 13:38
Information on support in areas where FCDO advises against travel, visa requirements, customs rules, outdoor activities and adventure tourism, health (‘Warnings and insurance’, ‘Entry requirements’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Health’ pages).

2024-05-01 16:56
Information on health, wildfires, crime, outdoor activities and adventure tourism (‘Health, Safety and security’ and ‘Regional risks’ pages).

2024-03-01 11:21
The information on terrorism risks has been refreshed, including places that may be targeted (‘Safety and Security’ page).

2024-02-05 16:33
Updated information on 2023 crime statistics; and comments about the nation and flag (‘Safety and Security’ page).

2024-01-28 11:47
Information on an incident at the Santa Maria Church in Istanbul on the morning of 28 January (‘Warnings and Insurance’ and ‘safety and Security’ Pages)

2023-12-01 16:17
Removal of information on the UEFA Champions League game between Manchester United and Galatasaray (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2023-11-23 16:28
Information on the UEFA Champions League game between Manchester United and Galatasaray (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).

2023-11-02 15:12
Removal of information about disruption to Turkish Airlines flights on 1 November.

2023-11-01 18:09
Disruption to Turkish Airlines flights (‘Warnings and Insurance’ page).

2023-10-18 11:26
Addition of information regarding ongoing demonstrations and protests (‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-10-17 23:21
Addition of information regarding demonstrations and protests (“safety and security”)

2023-10-10 13:30
Removal of details of an explosion in Ankara on 1 October and information on heatwaves and wildfires in Europe (‘Warnings and insurance’ page) Update on medical tourism (‘Health’ page)

2023-10-01 10:06
Details of an explosion in Ankara on 1 October (‘Warnings and insurance’ page)

2023-08-09 17:22
Information on medical tourism (‘Health’ page).

2023-07-28 09:40
New information on salmonella cases (‘Health’ page).

2023-07-26 14:30
Update to number of reported cases in medical tourism (‘Health’ page).

2023-07-25 17:00
Advice regarding heatwave and wildfires in Europe (see ‘Warnings and insurance’ page) and earthquakes (see ‘Safety and security’ page).

2023-06-28 16:00
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.

2023-06-22 10:33
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.

2023-06-14 16:13
Removal of information about the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul (‘Summary’ page).

2023-06-05 11:03
Advice for travellers going to the UEFA Champions League Final in Istanbul (‘Summary’ page) and removal of earthquake related information to reflect the end of the local state of emergency in that area (‘Summary’ and ‘Natural disasters’ page).

2023-04-20 09:53
Update to medical tourism statistics (see ‘health’).

2023-03-22 12:09
Removed out of date information on the earthquake response (see ‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages). Added reports of botulism cases linked to weight loss treatments performed in Istanbul and Izmir (see ‘Health’ page).

2023-02-20 19:15
Tsunami alert rescinded – following further evaluation, the Turkish disaster management agency AFAD has now rescinded the tsunami alert issued in relation to the earthquake in Hatay, near Antakya (South east Turkey) on 20 February. You should continue to follow the advice of national authorities.

2023-02-20 18:45
Tsunami Alert – Following a further earthquake in Antakya (South east Turkey) on 20 February, the Turkish disaster management agency AFAD has issued a tsunami alert, advising people to move away from the coast to higher ground, and to follow the advice of national authorities.

2023-02-16 16:34
Updated information on tourism numbers (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-15 17:09
Updated information on the effect of the attempted coup in July 2016 and that consular services are no longer being handled remotely (‘Summary’, ‘Terrorism’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)

2023-02-12 15:32
Earthquake update: If you are in the affected area, you should exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities. (See ‘Summary’)

2023-02-12 09:09
Updated information: The BCG in Istanbul continues to be operational with visa applications and consular assistance services being handled remotely (See ‘Summary’)

2023-02-11 15:31
Earthquake update: Specific emergency contact numbers for affected provinces (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-10 14:42
Earthquake update: Some Turkish hotels are providing accommodation for affected persons (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-08 20:28
Earthquake update: Some Turkish airline providers offering evacuation flights out of the affected areas (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-07 17:04
Turkey has announced a national emergency in the 10 provinces affected by earthquakes and announced that only vehicles which carry aid teams and aid material will be allowed to enter cities deemed to be inside the area of the disaster (see ‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-06 16:23
A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and nine other Turkish provinces (Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Adana, Malatya) in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023. It was followed by a 7.5 earthquake the same day in Kahramanmaras. (‘Summary’ page).

2023-02-06 08:17
Latest update: A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and nine other Turkish provinces (Hatay, Osmaniye, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Kilis, Adana, Malatya) in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023. There have been several strong after-shocks and the Turkish government has announced its highest level of state emergency. You should avoid the Southeast region of Turkey and follow the advice of the local authorities.

2023-02-06 03:01
A 7.8 earthquake hit Gaziantep and neighbouring provinces in the south east of Turkey on 6 February 2023. There have been several strong after-shocks. You should avoid the immediate vicinity and follow the advice of the local authorities (‘Summary’ page)

2023-01-31 00:16
Updated information on terrorism in Istanbul (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).

2023-01-29 22:45
Updated information on terrorism (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).

2023-01-27 16:19
Removal of information about explosion in Istiklal Avenue shopping street on 13 November and updated information on terrorism (‘Summary’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages).

2023-01-16 17:13
Updated tourist and crime numbers, health information and access to Mount Ararat (‘Summary’, ‘Health’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages).

2022-12-21 17:02
Updated information for tourists considering medical/surgical/dental treatment in Turkey (‘Health’ page)

2022-11-14 14:07
Updated information following an explosion in Istanbul on Sunday 13 November (“Summary” page)

2022-11-13 19:39
Addition of further information following an explosion in Istanbul on Sunday 13 November (“Summary”).

2022-11-13 14:18
Addition of information following explosion in Istanbul

2022-11-10 11:22
Information added about a nationwide earthquake drill, which will occur on 12 November 2022 at 6:57PM local time (‘Summary’ section).

2022-10-11 09:25
Updated information on passport validity (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-09-27 09:02
Addition of information on types of British passports that require a visa (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-08-11 15:20
The FCDO no longer advises against all but essential travel to Tunceli, Diyarbakir, Kilis and Hatay provinces

2022-07-13 16:11
Updated information on COVID-19 isolation guidance and medical tourism (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Health’ pages)

2022-06-09 10:13
Updated information on the removal of COVID- 19 restrictions for entry to Turkey (‘Entry requirements’ page)

2022-04-29 13:39
Update on deaths during medical tourism. We are aware of 17 British nationals who have died in Turkey since January 2019 following medical tourism visits, and update to terrorism advice (‘Health’ and ‘Terrorism’ pages). Removal of information on the form for entry (‘Entry requirements’ page).

2022-03-22 16:36
Updated information on the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Turkey (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)