Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in Turkey, you are subject to Turkish laws. Foreign laws and legal systems differ from ours. Criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that, while legal in the country you visit, are illegal in the United States; for instance, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or possessing or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime that is prosecutable in the United States. Please visit the Department of State’s Criminal Penalties webpage for more information.

For more information in English provided by the Turkish Government about the Turkish judical system  go to Turkish Judicial System webpage and for information about legal aid in Turkey go to Legal Aid webpage. 

Penalties for similar offenses can be more severe overseas than in the United States. Below are some Turkish laws of which you should be aware:

Drug Offenses: Turkish law enforcement agencies are very aggressive in combating illegal drugs. The penalties for violating Turkish laws, even unknowingly, can be severe. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Turkey are particularly strict, and convicted offenders will receive heavy fines and jail sentences of between four and twenty years in some cases.

Insulting The State: It is illegal under Turkish law to show disrespect to the name or image of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the modern Turkish Republic. It is also illegal to insult the Turkish Government, flag, or security forces. Senior government officials regularly and successfully file lawsuits in response to statements, including via social media that they deem insulting to themselves or to Islam.

Religious Proselytizing: Although there is no specific law against religious proselytizing, some activities can lead to your arrest under laws that regulate expression, educational institutions, and religious meetings. The State Department’s Annual Report on International Religious Freedom contains additional information on religious freedom in Turkey.

Cultural Artifacts: Turkish law has a broad definition of "antiquities" and makes it a crime to remove any from the country. Offenders are prosecuted. All historic sites, and everything in them, on the grounds, or in the water, are the property of the Turkish Government. If you buy antiquities, use only authorized dealers and obtain museum certificate for each item they are authorized to sell. At departure, you may be asked to present a receipt and the certificate. Failure to have them can result in your arrest and jail time. Contact the Embassy of Turkey in Washington or one of Turkey's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Dual Citizenship: The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Please see our information on dual nationality. U.S.-Turkish dual nationals may be subject to laws that impose special obligations on Turkish citizens. Male dual citizens over the age of 18 may be subject to Turkish conscription and compulsory military service. Those with questions are strongly advised to consult with officials at Turkish Embassies or Consulates before entering Turkey. Turkish authorities may not inform U.S. officials of dual nationals arrested in Turkey or may refuse to allow U.S. officials to visit or provide consular assistance to U.S. - Turkish dual nationals arrested in Turkey.

Arrest Notifications in Turkey: Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Turkey, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: A seismically active country, earthquakes regularly occur throughout Turkey. A major earthquake east of Istanbul in 1999 killed approximately 18,000 people. You should make contingency plans for your travel in Turkey and leave emergency contact information with family members outside of Turkey. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and at Ready.gov. For more information on disaster preparedness, please click on the following links:

• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• FEMA: Earthquakes
• FEMA for Kids: Emergency Preparedness
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Earthquake Preparedness

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: There has been an increase in the number of sexual assaults against female tourists traveling alone or in small groups in Turkey, including in spas and hamams. Travelers should avoid isolated locations and traveling alone after dark. Local resources and assistance specifically addressing sexual assault are limited in Turkey. If you do become a victim of sexual assault, please seek immediate help from the Turkish National Police, Turkish Health Services, or nearest hospital if you feel safe doing so. Travelers are urged to contact the closest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance. You can find further information and resources regarding assistance with sexual assault in Turkey here. If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips on the Women Travelers page on our website. 

LGBT RIGHTS: Homophobia, transphobia, and intolerance towards homosexuality continue to be widespread throughout Turkey. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals are not protected by anti-discrimination laws and have been the targets of violence in recent years. While the Turkish constitution forbids discrimination against LGBT individuals, references in the law relating to “offenses against public morality,” “protection of the family,” and “unnatural sexual behavior,” are sometimes used as a basis for abuse by law enforcement officials. In addition, the law states that “no association may be founded for purposes against law and morality,” a clause which has been used by authorities in attempts to shut down or limit the activities of associations working on LGBT matters. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

ACCESSIBILITY: Individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different in Turkey from what you find in the United States. The Turkish constitution prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in the provision of state services, employment, education, and access to health care, and the government generally enforces the law effectively. However, the law does not mandate access to buildings and public transportation for persons with disabilities, and access in most cities is quite limited.

Persons with disabilities generally find that Turkish airports and metro stations are easily accessible, but other public transportation, such as buses or taxis are not. There are reserved seats for disabled, pregnant, or elderly people in public buses, but neither the roads nor the buses are designed for easy access for the disabled. In a few big cities, some traffic lights have sound systems for the visually impaired, but these are uncommon. The pedestrian crossing rules and their enforcement are different than in the United States. Cars rarely stop when they see a pedestrian, and may not stop when the traffic light is red or at a pedestrian crosswalk. Sidewalks and footpaths are at times high and uneven. Overpasses and underpasses are generally not designed for the disabled. Roads and footpaths are frequently under construction and may contain extensive obstructions. In addition, vehicles may park on footpaths or otherwise obstruct access to footpaths. While some accessible hotels and restaurants exist in tourist destinations, in general, accessibility for people with disabilities in Turkey is poor.