Turkey expands foreign‑plated vehicle use for expatriates

The Turkish Interior and Trade ministries have revised the rules for foreign‑plated vehicles owned by Turkish citizens living abroad. Under the new regulation, the vehicle may be driven by close family members – spouse, parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren – even if the owner is not in the car, provided the owner is present in Turkey. When the owner is inside the vehicle, any person residing abroad may also drive it, and in emergencies Turkish residents may operate the car if the owner remains in the vehicle.

The changes aim to eliminate administrative fines and vehicle impoundments that previously affected expatriates, to reduce driver fatigue on long journeys, and to improve traffic safety, especially during the summer influx of millions of return migrants. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said on social media: “Gurbetçi vatandaşlarımıza önemli bir kolaylık sağladık” (We have provided an important convenience to expatriate citizens).