Türkiye 2025: Travel warning despite popularity – How to secure your vacation!

Türkiye 2025: Travel warning despite popularity – How to secure your vacation!

Turkey will remain one of the most popular travel destinations for German tourists in 2025, despite a current partial travel warning. Loud fr.de Over 6.6 million Germans spent their vacation in Turkey in 2024. The Turkish Riviera in particular, especially the Antalya region, is very popular and is considered safe.

Antalya accounts for 81 percent of all overnight stays by German vacationers, and 85 percent of overnight stays are concentrated in the five most important tourism cities. The reasons for the travel boom are varied; many choose Turkey because of family ties or the attractive all-inclusive offers.

Travel warnings and security situation

However, the Foreign Office warns against traveling to the southeastern provinces on the border with Syria and Iraq, namely Şanlıurfa, Mardin, Sırnak and Hakkâri. These areas should be avoided as they are considered unsafe. Political protests in large cities such as Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir can lead to traffic delays and arrests of foreign nationals who take part in demonstrations or make statements critical of the government.

Particular caution is also required in 2025 with regard to political issues and social media. Old posts can cause problems upon entry. Although the threat of terrorism is common, violent crimes are rare. However, pickpocketing and fraud are on the rise, especially in Istanbul.

Tips for travelers

To ensure a safe trip to Turkey, experts advise following current advice from the Federal Foreign Office. Individual travelers should check their rebooking conditions carefully, as many insurance companies and airlines do not offer free rebookings, while travel warnings often allow free cancellations for package travelers.

Travelers should register on the crisis preparedness list and follow the emergency preparedness instructions from the Federal Office for Civil Protection. It is also recommended to only book excursions with licensed providers and to have optimal international health insurance.

Health and entry

Medical care in large cities is good, while in rural areas it is often inadequate. Although vaccinations are not mandatory, standard vaccinations are recommended. German citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. Entry is possible with a valid passport, ID card or children's passport.

Overall, it shows that despite the warnings and risks, Turkey remains attractive as a travel destination for many Germans. However, to travel safely, guidance and careful planning are essential. More information is at auswärts-amt.de available.