Traveling to Turkey Advice What to pack for Turkey. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake and follow the advice of the local authorities. These include the so-called Islamic State (IS), the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and its offshoots.In the event of a terrorist attack, you should let your family and friends at home know you are safe as soon as possible, even if the attack is not close to where you are located. Avoid approaching these dogs but if bitten, seek immediate medical advice as rabies and other animal borne diseases are present in Turkey.Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Local authorities take action to control and manage numbers but packs congregate in parks and wastelands and can, at times, be aggressive. Make sure your travel insurance covers you for all the activities you want to undertake, as often they are excluded in standard policiesStray street dogs are common in most towns and cities in Turkey. There have been a number of hot-air ballooning accidents in Cappadocia in recent months, which have led to a number of fatalities. Stay at hotels with identifiable security measures. Foreign employees of international NGOs operating in the country have also been detained and several have been deported. Hospital bills can quickly run into thousands of euro, and a medical evacuation back to Ireland can cost thousands more.Not all policies are the same, and the cheapest one might be cheap for a reason. Please also be aware that the police in Turkey can take measures such as the use of tear gas to control protesters. This mailbox will be monitored regularly. Travel companies make their own decisions about whether or not to offer customers a refund. The terrorist threat in Turkey is multi-faceted and unpredictable, with several terrorist groups currently targeting the country. The maximum length of time you can stay in Turkey as a tourist is nine consecutive months.If you want to study, work or stay beyond 90 days in Turkey you must apply for the appropriate visa and/or residence permit from the Turkish authorities.

Some organisations in the region though not proscribed in the UK, such as the YPG and the Gülen Movement are illegal in Turkey.You should carry your passport and a printed copy of your visa (if applicable) or residence permit at all times. Please be aware that the standard of mental healthcare in Turkey differs from Ireland.

Irish citizens should remain vigilant, particularly where crowds may gather, stay well away from any demonstrations, and stay informed of local developments and security advice.There have been several cases of nationals or dual-nationals of EU Member States being detained, for example, because they worked, or intended to work, in an organisation suspected of links to the Gülen movement. In accordance with Government policy, which is based on official public health advice, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against non-essential travel overseas. However, the following advice within Turkey remains in place: The FCO advise against all travel to: areas within 10 km of the border with Syria, except the city of Kilis (see below) The advice from the UK Foreign Office explains: "Since June 12, the Turkish government has reopened its international land, sea and air borders." General COVID-19 Travel Advisory in Operation: General advice to avoid non-essential travel and ‘Normal Precautions’ list of exemptions: In accordance with Government policy, which is based on official public health advice, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to advise against non-essential travel … Flight restrictions and route cancellations are happening on a daily basis worldwide and there is no guarantee that air routes will continue to operate as scheduled. Irish citizens travelling to locations with a ‘normal precautions’ (“green”) rating are advised to follow the public health guidelines of the local health authorities and to continue to practice physical distancing measures, hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette etc. Residence permits for Irish citizens are free of charge, though you have to pay for the residence permit booklet. There have also been a number of fatalities and serious injuries in paragliding accidents in the resorts of Oludeniz and Fethiye. The offensive has increased political tensions within Turkey and the Turkish government has warned against what it terms "terrorist propaganda", which can be interpreted broadly. While there is a potential that citizens from western countries may be targets or caught up in attacks, particularly in the major cities, attacks are most likely to target the Turkish state, civilians and demonstrations. Presidential and parliamentary elections took place in Turkey in June 2018 and the State of Emergency, put in place following a failed coup attempt in July 2016, ended in July 2018.If you become aware of a demonstration, please change your travel plans and leave the area.

Knowing you'll need beach items and sun protection are a given, but bringing the correct items are key and will save you money on your travel. Avoid demonstrations and crowds. The FCO state Turkey is currently exempt from the advice based on its recent assessment of COVID-19 risk in the country. Remain vigilant when frequenting such establishments. Any citizens who are considering travel abroad are advised to monitor closely our travel advice and we recommend that citizens download our Should you need to travel for essential reasons, you should inform yourself about any requirements in place in the destination to which you are travelling. See It’s illegal to be a member or supporter of a terrorist organisation in Turkey, including expressions of support on social media. Turkey has strict laws against the use, possession or trafficking of illegal drugs.