Guide to Buying a Car in Turkey for Foreign Citizens

Buying a Car in Turkey as a Foreigner

Foreigners can buy new vehicles from car dealerships in Turkey or used cars from dealers and private sellers. Every car sale in Turkey is completed at a notary (noter), and the notary also registers the car in the new owner's name. Dealers prepare most of the paperwork for a new car; for a used car you will need some additional documents and checks. In practice, the most basic thing a foreign citizen needs to buy and register a car in Turkey is a valid residence permit card, which shows your foreigner identification number (it starts with 99), and a Turkish tax number (vergi numarası). For foreigners coming to Turkey for a short holiday, renting a car or taking a taxi is usually the more practical option. For those who plan to settle in Turkey or stay for a longer period, buying a car can be more convenient and comfortable.

Necessary Documents for New Car Purchase in Turkey

The dealer usually prepares these documents and arranges the notary appointment:

• Your passport and residence permit card
• Sales invoice from the dealer
• Certificate of conformity (uygunluk belgesi) of the vehicle
• Proof that the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) has been paid
• Compulsory traffic insurance (zorunlu trafik sigortası) in your name
• Notarised sales contract, prepared at the notary

Purchasing Used Vehicles in Turkey

There are no restrictions on the sale of used vehicles to foreigners in Turkey. However, when buying a used car, check the paperwork carefully. Whether you are buying from a car dealer or from someone you found online, get an expert report (ekspertiz raporu) for the car from an independent vehicle appraisal company before you pay. The report shows the condition of the car and whether any parts have been repaired, painted or replaced, so you can see if the car has an accident history. Car sales in Turkey are carried out at notaries, which you can find in every district. Before you go to the notary, make sure that all the necessary documents are ready; if one of them is missing, the notary will not complete the sale. Since 27 September 2024, payment for every second-hand vehicle sale at a notary must go through the Secure Payment System (Güvenli Ödeme Sistemi). The buyer pays the price in Turkish lira into the system with a reference number, and the money is released to the seller only when the notary completes the transfer. The notary also checks that compulsory traffic insurance is in place in the buyer's name, so arrange the insurance before your appointment.

Documents Required for Sale of Used Cars

• Vehicle registration certificate (ruhsat): provided by the seller
• Valid identity document: your residence permit card and passport (Turkish citizens use their identity card)
• Compulsory traffic insurance policy in the buyer's name
• Secure Payment System reference, showing that the price has been paid into the system
• Power of attorney: only if someone signs on behalf of the buyer or the seller
• Current address and phone number

The notarised sales contract is then drawn up by the notary.

Translation Requirement for Foreign Buyers

Since all documents are prepared in Turkish, a foreigner who does not speak Turkish signs in the presence of a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman), who translates the documents before signing. The contract of sale is drawn up when you go to the notary with all the necessary documents. After the translator explains the contract to you in a language you understand and both parties agree to its terms, both parties sign. When the documents are complete, buying a car in Turkey is a simple and fast process.

Tax Exemption for Foreigners Buying Cars

Some foreigners can use a car without paying Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) and Value Added Tax (VAT) under Turkish customs rules. These vehicles are registered with special plates of the MA and MZ series, which many people call "blue plates". The right lasts only as long as the owner's residence or work permit, only the owner and certain family members may drive the car, and the car cannot be sold freely to people who are not eligible. Whether the annual Motor Vehicle Tax (MTV) applies depends on your case, so ask the tax office before you buy.

Eligibility for Blue License Plate Vehicles

Groups that may qualify include:

• Work permit holders
• Foreign press workers
• Foreign teachers, academics and students
• Retired foreigners
• Staff of certain international organisations, such as NATO, UN and EU personnel

The exact conditions are set by the customs administration of the Ministry of Trade and change from time to time, so check them with a customs directorate (gümrük müdürlüğü) before you buy.

Process of Buying Tax-Exempt Vehicles

Buying a tax-exempt vehicle is a similar process to buying a regular car in Turkey, except for some additional documents. The documents usually include:

• Passport and residence or work permit
• Proof that you belong to an eligible group, for example your work permit
• Notarial documents for the sale
• All documents of the vehicle

Selling Tax-Free Cars in Turkey

Turkish citizens and foreigners who do not meet these requirements cannot buy these vehicles without taxes. In other words, a car bought tax-free can only be sold tax-free to a foreigner who still has the right to buy it. Ask the customs directorate what you must do with the car before your permit ends, and plan the sale in good time.

The Turkish Used Car Market

Turkey's used car market is large and lively, and demand for used cars is high, so cars often keep much of their value. Prices move with the exchange rate, interest rates and tax rules, so compare several listings, get an expert report, and do not count on selling a car at a profit.

Rules and documents checked in October 2026. They change often, so confirm them with the notary and the official websites before you buy.