Short-term visitors from America, Canada, and most of Europe do not typically require a visa to visit Turkey. However, for those holding multiple-entry visas valid for at least six months and with a 90-day duration of stay, there is a stipulation that they cannot spend more than 90 days within a 180-day period in Turkiye. This rule often leads to confusion among travelers who struggle to calculate the length of their stay and the permitted duration of their remaining time in the country.
Understanding the 90/180-Day Rule
The 90/180-day rule is a crucial regulation for travelers visiting Turkiye. It means that within any 180-day period, you are allowed to stay in Turkiye for a maximum of 90 days. This rule applies to short-term visitors and those holding multiple-entry visas.
- 90 Days: The total number of days you can stay in Turkiye within a 180-day window.
- 180 Days: The rolling period during which your stay is calculated.
Key Points to Remember:
- The 180-day period is fixed and moves forward with each day to allow a visa reset date after the 180 days.
- Both the day of entry and the day of exit are counted as full days towards the 90-day limit.
- Exceeding the 90-day limit can result in penalties, including fines and entry bans.
To address this issue, we have developed the Turkiye Visa Calculator with careful attention to detail. This tool simplifies the process by performing the calculations for you. All you need to do is enter the entry and exit dates of your visits to Turkiye in chronological order.
It's important to note that the 180-day rule is a fixed period, distinct from the Schengen rule. Whenever you plan to enter Turkiye, you must tally your total days of presence to ensure that you have not exceeded the 90-day limit within that period.
For example, if you enter Turkey on September 1, 2024, and stay for 14 days, your 90-180-day period starts from September 1, 2024, and ends on February 28, 2025.
As a Spanish citizen, you are allowed to stay in the Turkiye region for a maximum of 90 days during this period. However, it's crucial to remember that both the day of entry and the day of exit are counted as full days. Therefore, after your initial stay of 14 days, you will have 76 days remaining for future travel. Your visa will reset around March 1, and we recommend adding an additional 2 days for safety.
If you are a resident of Turkey and plan to leave the country without renewing your expiring residence permit (e.g., expiring on September 1, 2024), there are certain considerations to avoid complications. If you depart before the expiration of your permit, such as on August 28, 2024, you can immediately return on a new travel visa as a British citizen for 90 days after the permit expires.
However, to prevent issues, it is advisable to wait for the 10-day grace period to elapse and return after September 11, 2024. Some individuals have faced bans and fines from border officers for returning within one or two days after their permit expired, due to the 10-day grace period.
In the event that your residence or work permit expires, do not panic. You have a 10-day grace period to renew it. However, if you leave the country after the expiration date, you may be subject to a ban ranging from at least 90 days to a maximum of 5 years, depending on the officer's decision. This is typically due to the C-code visa restriction applied in such cases.
Plan your trips carefully to ensure compliance with this rule and enjoy a hassle-free visit to Turkiye. If you're feeling stuck, contact us today!