Moving to Turkey with your car: the complete insurance checklist

Whether you’re driving to Turkey from the UK, EU or a neighbouring country, insurance is one of the first things you need to sort out. Here’s a practical checklist.

Before you leave: what you need at the Turkish border

✅ Valid passport

✅ Vehicle registration document (V5C for UK, equivalent for EU countries)

✅ Valid insurance for Turkey

Your options at the border:

1. A Turkish foreign plate insurance policy (arranged in advance — recommended)
2. A valid Green Card that explicitly includes Turkey
3. In some cases, you may be able to purchase short-term border insurance — but this is basic cover and often overpriced

The easiest option is to arrange your Turkish foreign plate policy before you travel. It takes a few hours and we can do it remotely.

During your first weeks in Turkey

✅ Confirm your policy covers your full planned stay Most policies can be issued for 1–12 months. Make sure it doesn’t expire.

✅ Get your Green Card It’s included with your foreign plate policy. Keep it in the car alongside your policy document.

✅ Notify your home insurer Even if your Turkish policy is in place, inform your UK/EU insurer that the vehicle is in Turkey long-term.

If you’re staying longer than a few months

✅ Know the 24-month customs rule Foreign-plate vehicles can remain in Turkey for up to 24 months. After that, you must export, pay customs, or apply for an extension.

✅ Consider if a Turkish-plate vehicle makes more sense If you’re staying long-term, it may be worth buying a Turkish-plate vehicle. This would change your insurance needs:

• Foreign plate insurance → traffic insurance + kasko

If you get a Turkish residence permit

✅ Check permit-related requirements A residence permit doesn’t directly change your vehicle insurance obligations, but it affects the customs clock on your foreign-plate vehicle.

If you have an accident

✅ Document everything (photos, dashcam footage if available)

✅ Call police if there is injury or significant damage. A police report (trafik tutanağı) is usually required for insurance claims.

✅ Notify your insurer within 3 working days (deadline varies by policy)

✅ Contact us — we can assist with the claims process in English.

Summary: the minimum insurance you need

Get your insurance sorted before you travel →