Turkey PCR Test Entry Requirements: All You Need to Know About Testing For Travel to Turkey

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Updated January 2023

Travelling during a pandemic can be pretty risky and confusing because of the different entry rules, regulations, and restrictions. As part of these requirements, the PCR testing requirement has been widely adopted as an essential prerequisite by several countries across the globe.

Turkey has also mandated strict testing measures across its borders to ensure that the virus spread is under control. Here are the latest PCR test entry requirements in Turkey that you should be aware of.

PCR testing requirements in Turkey

Fully vaccinated travellers to Turkey do not need to present a negative PCR test to enter the country. If you are fully vaccinated and want to travel to Turkey, make sure that you have received your final dose at least 14 days before travelling to Turkey. The vaccine doses should also be approved by Turkey.

The following categories of travellers currently require a pre-departure PCR test to enter Turkey:

• Travellers from high-risk nations
• Unvaccinated travellers
• Travellers who have recently been infected with COVID-19 and do not possess a recovery certificate.

Passengers over the age of twelve, who in the last 14 days have been in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, India, Namibia, Nepal, Mozambique, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe must submit a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Unvaccinated travellers from these countries will need to hotel quarantine (at their own expense) for 10 days.

Residents, nationals of Turkey and children under 12 years are exempt from quarantine.

Passengers arriving in Turkey from countries other than the ones mentioned above will be required to follow the guidelines mentioned below:

Fully vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers can enter Turkey without a pre-departure test or quarantine. Travellers can enter Turkey by presenting proof of complete vaccination. At least 14 days should have passed since their second vaccine dose, and the vaccine should be recognized by the Turkish Ministry of Health or World Health Organization (WHO).

All children below 11 and below may follow the rules for fully vaccinated travellers to enter Turkey.

Unvaccinated travellers

Travellers who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated will need to show proof of a negative PCR test that was taken no more than 72 hours prior to departure, rapid antigen test (taken no more than 48 hours before entry), or proof of a recent recovery from COVID-19 within the last six months, to enter Turkey.

Recent COVID-19 recoveries

Unvaccinated travellers who have recently recovered from COVID-19 (in the last six months) can enter Turkey. They will need to present evidence of a positive PCR test that was undertaken more than 14 days and less than six months ago. No more additional COVID-19 tests will be required.

Please make note that citizens of Hungary, Serbia and Turkey with a vaccination certificate stating that they were vaccinated in their home country can enter without a PCR test. Serbian and Turkish nationals under the age of 18 accompanied by citizens of Serbia or Turkey with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate will also be exempt from PCR testing.

All travellers must submit a Turkey Entrance Form within 72 hours before travel and may be subject to PCR testing on arrival in Turkey. Paper or mobile copies can be shown on arrival. Children under the age of six are exempt from this requirement.

What about testing at the airport?

All Turkish airports are operating random testing and travelers may be subject to a PCR test by means of the method of sampling on arrival in Turkey and will be allowed to leave once their test samples are taken.

Anyone who receives a positive test must quarantine for 14 days at their specified address, along with their close contacts. This can be terminated if a negative result is returned on day 10 — the local authorities will handle it on site.