Turkey

Turkish law enforcement is very aggressive in combating illegal drugs — penalties for possession, use, or trafficking are very strict, including heavy fines and jail sentences between four and 20 years.

Heavy fines and jail sentences of 4–20 years (US State Dept).

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in Türkiye. Buying, accepting, possessing or using it carries two to five years in prison under Article 191 of the Turkish Penal Code, rising by half if the offence happens within 200 metres of a school, hospital, place of worship, dormitory or barracks. Bringing cannabis into the country is a different and far more serious offence: importing carries twenty to thirty years, and the personal-use article does not cover importing at all.

Personal use or possession: two to five years in prison, or three to seven and a half years within 200 metres of a school, hospital, place of worship, dormitory or barracks. Importing: twenty to thirty years plus a heavy judicial fine. Synthetic cannabinoids carry a further increase of one half.

Verified Aug 21, 2026

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Government of Türkiye that it is legal before you go — always carry it in original packaging with your doctor's prescription, and bring enough for your whole trip, since some medications are unavailable in Türkiye.

If a medication counts as an illegal substance in Türkiye, drug penalties are severe — heavy fines and 4–20 years in jail.

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Türkiye has strict antiquities laws — it is a crime to take antiquities (old cultural or historic items) out of the country; buy only from authorized dealers and keep a museum certificate and receipt.

Without proper papers you could be arrested and sent to jail.

Verified Jul 15, 2026

Türkiye limits cash entry and exit to 25,000 Turkish lira, or 10,000 euros (or foreign-currency equivalent).

Amounts above the limit may be subject to declaration and seizure.

Verified Jul 15, 2026

Turkey defines 'antiquities' broadly and makes it a crime to remove any from the country; buy only from authorized dealers and keep museum certificates, or risk arrest at departure.

Arrest and jail time

Verified Jul 15, 2026

Shops in Turkiye cannot sell alcohol between 22:00 and 06:00 anywhere in the country. Licensed bars and restaurants can still serve you on the premises - the ban hits retail sales, not drinking.

The fine falls on the seller, not the buyer. Art. 7(1)(f) of Law No. 4250 sets an administrative fine of 65,000 to 320,000 Turkish lira, imposed by the local civil administrator (mahalli mulki amir), and a third breach within five years cancels the outlet's retail and open-alcohol sales licences for two years. Those lira figures are statutory base amounts revalued annually under Law No. 5326 art. 17(7), so the amount actually charged is higher. Separately, being drunk and disturbing others in public carries a small on-the-spot administrative fine and being held until you sober up (Law No. 5326 art. 35).

Verified Sep 8, 2026

Do not photograph or video Turkish military operations or enter military installations; Mount Ararat is a special military zone requiring advance permission.

Arrest and prosecution

Verified Jul 20, 2026

Same-sex relations are not criminalized, but LGB individuals are not protected by anti-discrimination laws and authorities have used 'offenses against public morality' provisions against them.

No direct criminal penalty, but provisions misused against LGB individuals

Verified Jul 20, 2026

It is illegal to disrespect the name or image of Atatürk, or to insult the Turkish government, flag, President, or security forces — including on social media. Delete controversial content from devices before entry.

Criminal charges possible

Verified Jul 15, 2026