Attention holidaymakers in Turkey: Important warnings about dangers and fraud!

Attention holidaymakers in Turkey: Important warnings about dangers and fraud!

The Federal Foreign Office is currently warning urgently about possible dangers for holidaymakers planning a trip to Turkey. These warnings particularly concern political tensions, natural events and scams that travelers should be aware of in many cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. It should also be noted that demonstrations often occur, which can lead to traffic delays and unpredictable situations. Holiday travelers are requested to read the current information from the Foreign Office carefully and prepare accordingly.

Traveling pickpockets and fraudsters are particularly active in large cities. In Istanbul in particular, attacks in the form of large bills in bars or accepting counterfeit money are not uncommon. Even after returning to Germany, vacationers should be careful, as fraudsters often approach them with fake winning notifications or customs demands.

Political tensions and protests

The political situation in Turkey is currently tense, which is reflected in various protest actions. These are directed, among other things, against the imprisonment of the opposition politician Ekrem Imamoglu, which has resulted in street and subway stations being cordoned off, particularly in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and other cities. This can also have an impact on local public transport. At the same time, it is known that the popular holiday regions on the Turkish Riviera, such as Antalya and Side, have not yet been affected by these protests and tourism there is running smoothly.

The Foreign Office advises to strictly avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people and to actively follow the local news situation. Arbitrary arrests have increased in the past and have reportedly increased since 2017. Travelers should therefore be particularly careful with content on social media that concerns political topics or protests.

Travel recommendations from the Foreign Office

The recommendations for travelers are clear: they are advised to regularly check for current situation updates and possible restrictions. Driving after dark should be avoided as traffic is chaotic. When using rental cars, it is advisable to use guarded parking spaces and clarify taxi prices in advance.

Although medical care has improved in large cities, it often remains inadequate in rural areas. It is strongly recommended that you take a personal first aid kit with you and take out international health insurance.

Notes on import regulations are also relevant: Every traveler is allowed to import personal items worth up to 300 euros as well as a set number of cigarettes, alcoholic drinks and perfume. In addition, vacationers should make sure to keep their original documents safe and make copies in order to be well prepared in an emergency.

Finally, Turkey is seismically active, so travelers should be informed about possible natural hazards such as earthquakes, fires or floods. The travel advice is extensive and it is recommended that you take warnings seriously and inform yourself about areas at risk.

While flights to Turkey operate without restrictions, travelers remain urged to remain vigilant and aware of the current situation. The Foreign Office has published current safety information, but has not issued a general travel warning. Travelers affected by protests should be aware of options for free cancellation of package holidays; However, mere worries about protests are usually not enough. For detailed information, see the official information Mercury and the tz to be noted.