The Covid 19 Health Requirements for Foreign Tourists Travelling to Turkey
Tourists from most of the countries in the world can visit Turkey in the present scenario, despite the Covid 19 pandemic. The country is open to welcoming foreign travellers, and visa applications are currently being accepted. Learn about PCR Test, Passenger Locator Form and Vaccination Details.
The visitors must comply with the Covid travel restrictions that have been established by the government of Turkey, and submit all necessary Covid 19 documents.
Travellers also must keep themselves updated about the latest news on the pandemic situation of Turkey, along with all the quarantine requirements and test details that are required to enter the country. Keep in mind that these travel and health restrictions are subject to change at a short notice, so you must ensure that you have all the latest information before you book your flight tickets. In this article, you will find all the Covid health requirements to visit Turkey, so keep reading!
Fill Up a Passenger Locator Form For Turkey
Visitors are required to fill up a passenger information locator form (otherwise known as PLF), no more than 72 hours before their visit to the country. Travellers can submit the Turkey PLF when they are applying for their online eVisa.
The PLF form is given to individuals in order to get their personal details and contact information, in case they might have been in touch with someone who has later tested Covid 19 positive. In the PLF form, you will be required to give the following information - Full name, Country of residence, Nationality, Contact information (email address and phone number), Arrival date, and Mode of transportation.
Once you have landed at the border of Turkey, officials will check whether you have filled up your passenger locator form or not. In case you fail to do so, you will not be given permission to enter the country.
Do transit passengers also need to fill out the PLF?
No, transit passengers who are flying to another country via Turkey are not required to fill up the contact form. Only the passengers who shall be going through immigration and entering the country will need to fill out the Turkey health declaration form.
The HES Code For Turkey
Once the traveller has filled out the passenger locator form for Turkey, a unique Hayat Eve Siğar (HES) code shall be issued after their name. Having this code is a necessary requirement if you wish to travel to and around Turkey amidst the Covid 19 outbreak.
What is the Turkey HES code?
It is in the HES code that all the details and information that you have provided in the passenger locator form is stored. The authorities of Turkey shall use these details to get in touch with you in case you come into contact with a person who is later tested positive for Covid 19. This unique identification number is used in order to protect the general public and allow the normal flow of domestic and international travel even during the COVID 19 pandemic.
Who needs the Turkey HES Code?
Every single individual who is travelling to Turkey will need the HES code. If you are an international visitor, you will need to get this code before you get on board your flight to Turkey. And in the case of a domestic traveller, they will need the HES code too if they wish to take an internal flight, bus, or train. So to sum it up, every single traveller will need their own HES code. The only exemption to this health requirement are infants under the age of 2 years old, they will not need the HES code.
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Will I Need to Take A PCR Test for Covid 19 Virus If I Wish To Visit Turkey?
A few people need to take the PCR test for Covid 19 Virus if they wish to visit Turkey. The people who need to take the test includes -
- Passengers who are coming from a high-risk country.
- Passengers who do not have a vaccination or recovery certificate.
Turkey PCR Test requirements for travellers from a high-risk country
Passengers who have travelled to a high-risk country within the last 14 days shall be required to have a negative PCR test result. The PCR test must have been taken in no more than 72 hours of arrival. The only exception to this rule are children under the age of 12 years old.
Turkey PCR Test requirements for travellers from other countries
If you are a passenger who has not travelled to a high-risk country in the last 14 days, you will be needed to have any of the following test results -
- A negative result of the Covid 19 PCR test which has been taken in no more than 72 hours of arrival to the country.
- A negative result of the Covid 19 rapid antigen test which has been taken in no more than 48 hours of arrival to the country.
Please keep in mind that all passengers can be subjected to a PCR test once they reach their destination country.
Turkey PCR Test requirements for vaccinated travellers
In the case that the traveller has proof of vaccination and he/ she has not been travelling to a high-risk country in the last 14 days, the Government of Turkey does not require you to have a negative PCR test result. However, keep in mind that the last dose of your Covid 19 vaccine must have been received at least 14 days before your day of arrival in Turkey.
Exemptions to Turkey PCR Test requirements
If the passengers fall amongst any of the following categories, they are exempted from the Turkey PCR Test requirements -
- If the traveller is less than 12 years of age.
- If the traveller is coming from Hungary or Serbia and has a Covid 19 vaccine certificate that has been issued by the Government of Hungary or Serbia, along with their accompanying minor, who is under the age of 18 years old.
- If the passenger has a Covid 19 vaccine certificate that has been issued in no more than 6 months of arrival date in Turkey.
- If the traveller is a merchant seaman.
The Covid 19 Quarantine Requirements in Turkey
If the traveller has visited a high-risk country that has been specified by the Government of Turkey in the past 14 days, then he/she will have to stay in quarantine for 10 days at a government destined hotel. However, this requirement does not apply to a few individuals, which includes the following -
- If you are a Turkish national or resident.
- If you are a foreign national and have a valid vaccination certificate with you.
Although most visitors will not be required to quarantine upon their arrival to Turkey, if you are not able to pass through the health screening test, you will be required to quarantine for a span of up to 14 days.
The Covid 19 Vaccination Requirements in Turkey
As of the present scenario, Turkey accepts all Covid 19 vaccines when it comes to international travellers. There is no particular requirement upon the specific type of Covid 19 vaccine the visitor must take in order to enter the country. The government of Turkey has put up only one rule, which is the visitor must have been fully vaccinated in no less than 14 days of their arrival date to Turkey.
Which Covid 19 vaccines have been authorised by the Turkish government?
Vaccines to fight against the Covid 19 virus has been distributed throughout the country of Turkey. The subsequent vaccines have been authorised by the Government of Turkey -
- Pfizer - BioNTech
- CoronoVac
- Sputnik V
- Turkovac
Can a tourist get vaccinated in Turkey?
It is highly unlikely for foreign visitors to get vaccinated during their stay in Turkey. The vaccination arrangements are made through the e-nabiz and e-devlet outlets, which is set up by the health system of Turkey. When the person comes to the vaccination appointment, they shall be needed to show their Turkish ID card, along with their individual appointment number.
This system makes it extremely difficult for tourists to get their vaccination in Turkey. However, if it is essential that you must receive a vaccine during your stay in Turkey, you must contact the Ministry of Health beforehand.
To sum it all up, the Government of Turkey encourages foreign visitors to come and enjoy the beauty of Turkey, but at the same time, they are extremely cautious about the health of its citizens as well as visitors. So stay safe and enjoy your visit to Turkey.
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The Turkish eVisa is simple to obtain and may be applied for in just a few minutes from the comfort of your home. Depending on the applicant's nationality, a 90-day or 30-day stay in Turkey may be granted with an electronic visa. Learn more at E-visa for Turkey: What Is Its Validity?
Check your eligibility for Turkey e-Visa and apply for Turkey e-Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. Australian citizens, South African citizens and United States citizens can apply for Turkey e-Visa.
