Planning a Turkey visa from UK application? Most British travellers do not need one. Holders of a British Citizen passport can visit Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, so there is no visa to apply for and no visa fee to pay for a holiday. A visa is needed for work, study or long stays, and by holders of other types of British passport.
This guide brings together the entry rules, the e-Visa question, costs and the options for staying longer. It is based on the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa information and the UK Foreign Office travel advice, checked on 13 October 2026.
Key points
- British Citizen passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- No e-Visa is needed, and no visa fee is payable, for a visa-exempt visit.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days from the date you arrive.
- British National (Overseas), British Subject and British Protected Person passport holders need a visa.
- The 90 days cannot be extended at the border or by leaving and re-entering. To stay longer, apply for a residence permit before your 90 days end.
Do British Citizens Need a Visa for Turkey?
No, for short visits. According to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UK ordinary passport holders travelling for touristic purposes are exempt from visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The UK Foreign Office states that British citizens can visit without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for business or tourism. Because the Ministry’s wording refers to touristic purposes, travellers going for business should confirm their situation with the Turkish Embassy in London before travelling.
The exemption does not cover work, study, medical treatment or settling in Türkiye. These need a visa from a Turkish consulate before you travel, or a residence permit once you are in the country. Our overview of Turkish visa types explains the categories.
Other British Passports: BNO, British Subject and BPP
The exemption applies only to British Citizen passports. The Ministry states that holders of UK passports with British National (Overseas), British Subject or British Protected Person nationality are subject to visa and can get their visas only from Turkish diplomatic or consular missions. The UK Foreign Office likewise says holders of another type of British passport will need a visa.
For Hong Kong residents the Ministry’s Hong Kong entry adds that holders of a British National (Overseas) passport can obtain a three-month multiple-entry e-Visa at evisa.gov.tr. Because the two entries differ, BNO holders should check their eligibility on the official e-Visa website before travelling.
Do I Need a Turkey e-Visa from the UK?
Not if you hold a British Citizen passport. Search results are still full of websites selling a “Turkey e-Visa” to British travellers. If you are visa-exempt, there is nothing to buy. Anyone who does need an e-Visa should apply only at the official website, www.evisa.gov.tr; see our full guide to the Turkey e-Visa.
Living in the UK on another passport? Your nationality decides the rule, not your country of residence. Some nationalities, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines, can get an e-Visa only if they hold a valid UK, US, Schengen or Irish visa or residence permit. Turkish missions state that the supporting document must be a sticker visa or card and that electronic visas from other countries are not accepted, so if your UK permission exists only as a digital eVisa, confirm with a Turkish mission before relying on it. Check your nationality in our Do I need a visa for Turkey checker.
Passport Validity for UK Travellers
Under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection, your passport must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the stay permitted by your visa or visa exemption. For a 90-day visa-free visit this means at least 150 days of validity on the day you arrive, which is also the figure given by the UK Foreign Office. The Foreign Office adds that your passport needs at least one blank page, and that UK nationals who live in Türkiye need six months’ validity from arrival.
Turkey Visa Fee from the UK: What Does It Cost?
| Situation | Cost |
|---|---|
| Holiday on a British Citizen passport (up to 90 days) | No visa fee |
| Work, study or other consular visa | Visa fee set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; see our Turkey e-Visa fee guide for the 2026 statutory visa fees |
| Staying longer on a residence permit | Permit fee, card fee and health insurance; see our Turkey residence permit cost calculator |
Unofficial e-Visa websites charge British travellers for applications they do not need. A visa-exempt British citizen pays nothing to enter Türkiye as a tourist.
The 90/180 Rule and Why It Cannot Be Reset
The 90 days are counted over a rolling 180-day period: on any day, the days you spent in Türkiye during the previous 180 days must not exceed 90. A short trip to a Greek island and back does not restart the count, because the earlier days remain inside the 180-day window.
The visa-free period cannot be extended at the border or at a migration office. Staying longer than permitted leads to a fine on departure and can lead to an entry ban; our Turkey overstay fine guide shows how the fine is calculated, and our guide to Turkey visa extension explains the lawful options.
Staying Longer: Residence Permits for British Citizens
Many British visitors come to view property, spend the winter or retire, and want to stay beyond 90 days. The route is a residence permit, applied for through the Presidency of Migration Management before your visa-free days run out:
- Short-term residence permit: granted on grounds listed in Law No. 6458, including tourism and ownership of residential property in Türkiye (subject to the value thresholds in force); see our short-term residence permit guide.
- Family residence permit: for spouses and children of Turkish citizens or of foreigners holding residence.
Our step-by-step guide on how to get a Turkish residence permit for UK expats covers documents, health insurance and address registration.
Work and Study Visas from the UK
To work in Türkiye you need a work visa from a Turkish consulate and a work permit, normally applied for by your employer; see our guide to the work permit in Turkey. Students apply for a student visa after acceptance by a Turkish institution and then for a student residence permit. Neither activity is allowed on the visa-free 90 days.
Legal Support for British Citizens
Problems usually start when a visitor treats the 90-day exemption as a right to live in Türkiye, misses the deadline for a residence application or is refused entry over an earlier overstay. If you need a residence permit, are facing an overstay fine or have been refused entry, instruct our immigration lawyers to review your file.
Turkey Visa from UK: FAQ
Do UK citizens need a visa for Turkey?
No, for short visits. British Citizen passport holders are visa-exempt for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. A visa is needed for work, study or other long-term purposes.
Do I need a Turkey e-Visa from the UK?
Not with a British Citizen passport. Visa-exempt travellers do not need an e-Visa; websites selling one to British citizens are charging for something you do not need.
How much is a Turkey visa from the UK?
Nothing for a visa-exempt holiday of up to 90 days. Fees apply only if you need a consular visa or a residence permit.
How long can I stay in Turkey with a UK passport?
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period. To stay longer, apply for a residence permit before your 90 days end.
Can I leave Turkey and come back to reset my 90 days?
No. The 90 days are counted over a rolling 180-day period, so a short trip abroad does not reset them.
Do BNO passport holders need a visa for Turkey?
Yes. British National (Overseas), British Subject and British Protected Person passport holders are not covered by the exemption. Hong Kong residents with a BNO passport may be able to obtain an e-Visa; check evisa.gov.tr.
Sources
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visa Information for Foreigners; UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Turkey entry requirements; Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. Checked on 13 October 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice; entry rules change, so confirm with the official sources before you travel.