Terrorism

There is a high threat from terrorism in Turkey. We believe that international terrorist groups, as well as indigenous ones, are currently active in Turkey. Further attacks, including in tourist areas, could well occur. On 16 July 2005, an explosion on a minibus in the western Turkish resort of Kusadasi killed five people including one British national; five British nationals were also injured. On 11 July 2005, an explosion in the coastal resort of Cesme, western Turkey, injured 20 people including a British national.

 

On 20 November 2003, terrorist attacks (believed to have been committed by individuals associated with Al-Qaida) against the British Consulate-General and the headquarters of HSBC in Istanbul caused 33 deaths and injured hundreds. On 15 November 2003, bomb attacks on two synagogues in Istanbul killed 23 people and wounded more than 300.

 

Since the November 2003 attacks, other terrorist groups have been responsible for a number of devices exploding in locations across Turkey including in Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Antalya, and Ankara. Whilst many were primarily small scale in nature, some incidents resulted in fatalities. Targets included sites, such as banks, restaurants and hotels, linked to Western interests as well as to the Turkish state.

 

Examples of terrorist incidents include:

Terrorist incidents in the south east of Turkey have increased during 2004-2005. Turkish military operations against the PKK/Kongra-Gel - a Kurdish separatist terrorist organisation - continue. There is a need for increased vigilance in the south east. Security forces continue to enforce restrictions on movement in areas bordering Iraq. You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.

 

You should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. Please read "Security and General Tips" and "Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas" page on the FCO website for further information and advice.

 

 

Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. You should be wary of approaches from strangers offering to change money or offering food and drink, which may be drugged.

 

A number of sexual assaults have been reported in coastal tourist areas (eg Marmaris, Bodrum, Antalya, Izmir).

 

 

Turkey is a stable democracy. Demonstrations occur regularly in major cities and should be avoided.

 

 

Security Forces continue to enforce restrictions upon movement in areas bordering Iraq. You risk arrest if you fail to comply with these restrictions.

 

 

You should take particular care when travelling by road throughout Turkey, as road conditions and driving standards can be poor. Serious traffic accidents are common particularly at night.

 

For a stay of more than six months an international Driving Licence is required.

 

Do not drink and drive. The Police will breathalyse drunk drivers, fine them on the spot (currently 340 New Turkish Lira) and immediately confiscate their licence for six months.

 

 

On 21 December 2005, two trains collided between the Halkali and Sirkeci surburbs of Istanbul. Fourteen people were injured.

On 23 November 2005, a train collided with a truck crossing the railway line in Tarsus, near Adana in southern Turkey. Nine people were killed and eighteen were injured.

On 22 July 2004, 38 people were killed and over 80 were injured when a high-speed train derailed on the line between Istanbul and Ankara. No British nationals were injured in any of these incidents.

Turkey has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs. If you are convicted of any of these offences, you can expect to receive a heavy fine or a prison sentence of four to 24 years.

 

The export of antiquities is prohibited and carries a prison sentence from five to ten years.

 

The use of metal detectors is against the law.

 

Dress modestly if visiting a mosque or a religious shrine.

 

Do not take photographs near military or official installations. You should seek permission before photographing individuals.

 

Homosexuality is not illegal but is not widely tolerated: public displays of affection could result in prosecution for public order offences.

 

It is an offence to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, or to deface or tear up currency.

A visa is required for British nationals to enter Turkey. British citizens may obtain a multiple entry visitor's visa valid for 90 days at the port of entry on payment of ten pounds sterling in cash (Scottish currency is not accepted). If you are a BN(O) passport holder and you arrive at Istanbul airport without a visa obtained from a Turkish mission abroad, you may be refused entry to Turkey. For further information on entry requirements, you should check with with: Turkish representation in UK

 

Your passport should be valid for at least six months on entry into Turkey.

 

If you take employment without the appropriate permission, you may be escorted from the country by the police authorities or, in some cases, deported.

 

If you overstay your visa you will receive a substantial fine upon departure. This varies according to length of overstay: an overstay of one month currently incurs a fine of 166 New Turkish Lira.

 

If a parent travels on his/her own with a dual national Turkish child, written permission from the Turkish parent, certified by a notary, must be shown to the immigration authorities on departure, otherwise the child will not be permitted to leave Turkey.

Do not travel without comprehensive medical insurance (including cover for medical repatriation), as private medical treatment is very expensive. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. Please see: Travel Insurance. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which concerns free medical treatment in EU countries is not valid in Turkey. The EHIC has now replaced form E111.

 

Please refer to the Embassy website for details of English speaking hospitals and doctors, http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/ExternalLinkURLRedirectServlet?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britishembassy.gov.uk%2Fservlet%2FFront%3Fpagename%3DOpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage%26c%3DPage%26cid%3D1053446579265&LinkMap=0&linkname=FCO_BritishEmbassyTurkey&referpagename=Travel+Advice+by+Country.

 

If you visit rural areas you should ensure that inoculations are up to date.

 

For further information on health, check the Dept of Health's website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/ExternalLinkURLRedirectServlet?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dh.gov.uk%2FPolicyAndGuidance%2FHealthAdviceForTravellers%2Ffs%2Fen&LinkMap=0&linkname=FCO_TravelLinks_DOH&referpagename=Travel+Advice+by+Country.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in Turkey resulted in four deaths in eastern Turkey in January 2006, believed to have arisen through close contact with infected poultry.  Since the end of 2003, a number of human deaths have also occurred in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand and Vietnam.

 

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be low.  However, as a precaution you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned of the possibility that the Avian Influenza outbreaks could lead at some point to a human flu pandemic, if the virus mutates to a form which is easily transmissable between people.

 

British nationals living longer term in Turkey should take personal responsibility for their own safety in the event of a future pandemic, including considering their access to adequate healthcare and ensuring travel documents are up to date.

 

You should read this advice in conjunction with the FCO’s: Avian and Pandemic Influenza Factsheet, which gives more detailed information.

NATURAL DISASTERS

 

Many parts of Turkey lie on a major seismic fault line and are subject to earthquakes and tremors. In eastern Turkey, an earthquake in May 2003, measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale resulted in over 150 deaths. Other recent incidents include:

 

On 17 October 2005, three earthquakes measuring 5.6, 5.7 and 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Izmir. Minor structural damage was reported, with 6 people sustaining injuries. On 21 October 2005 an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Izmir. Minor structural damage was reported with 19 people sustaining injuries.  Also on 21 October 2005 the seismic Observatory in the district advised residents of Izmir that serious seismic activity in the region will continue for some time.

 

On 6 June 2005 an earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale occurred in Bingol province, south east Turkey. Initial reports indicate 46 people were injured and several houses suffered structural damage, no fatalities have been recorded.

 

On 25 January 2005 seven earthquakes measuring between 3.8 and 5.5 on the Richter scale occurred in Hakkari City, south east Turkey. Reports indicate two fatalities and 22 casualties with damage to approximately 80 buildings.

 

Avalanches in the Palandoken Mountains, Erzurum, northern Turkey, resulted in the death of a British tourist in March 2004, and a Russian tourist on 2 February 2005. On 11 February 2006, an avalanche in the Aladaglar Mountains, Nigde, central Turkey, resulted in the deaths of four mountaineers.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see: What We Can Do To Help

 

In addition to the Embassy in Ankara there are Consulates in Istanbul, Izmir and Antalya and honorary Consulates in Bodrum, Fethiye, Marmaris and Bursa. Full contact details are on the Embassy website, http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/ExternalLinkURLRedirectServlet?linkurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.britishembassy.gov.uk%2Fservlet%2FFront%3Fpagename%3DOpenMarket%2FXcelerate%2FShowPage%26c%3DPage%26cid%3D1053446579265&LinkMap=0&linkname=FCO_BritishEmbassyTurkey&referpagename=Travel+Advice+by+Country.

 

Residents or long term visitors should register with the Embassy/nearest Consulate on arrival, but there is no need for short-term visitors to do so.

 

The British Embassy in Ankara, the Consulates in Istanbul, Izmir and Antayla and Honorary Consulates in Bodrum and Marmaris can provide Emergency Passport services. Full passport services are available at the British Embassy in Ankara and the Consulate in Istanbul. Applications may be lodged, however, at Izmir, Antayla, Bodrum, Marmaris and Fethiye.

 

ATMs are widely available in major cities and tourist areas. Local currency can also be obtained from banks and exchange bureaux, known as DOVIZ in Turkish.

 

A new currency, known as the "New Turkish Lira" (YTL), was introduced on 1 January 2005. The conversion was achieved by dropping six zeros off the old existing Turkish lira and creating a sub-unit called the new kurus (YKr). As of 1 January 2006 only the “New Turkish Lira” is legal tender in Turkey though banks will continue to change old Turkish lira notes for the new currency until the end of 2006.

 

It is illegal not to carry photograph ID in Turkey. It is therefore advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport with you at all times.