Taking money in or out of Türkiye: What are the rules? UK guide

Planning to visit Türkiye from the UK? Perhaps you’re jetting off for a sun-soaked beach holiday in Fethiye, or you’re taking a work trip to Istanbul. You may even be thinking of moving there permanently.

Whatever your plans, you’ll need to read up on the rules on what you can and can’t bring into the country - and this includes cash.

To help, we’ve put together a complete guide to the rules and limits for taking cash in or out of Türkiye. This includes how and when to declare cash to customs, and what may happen if you carry too much without declaring it.

We’ll also show you a convenient cash-free alternative for spending in Turkey and worldwide - the Wise card.

How much money can you bring to Türkiye? What are the limits?

You can enter Türkiye with any amount of cash in any currency, including the local currency, Turkish lira (TRY).¹

And unlike with some other countries, you don’t need to make a declaration to Turkish customs when you arrive. This is unless you’re carrying other restricted, prohibited, taxable or dutiable goods.

What qualifies as cash when moving through borders?

For the purposes of moving it across international borders, the following are usually classed as cash:

• Physical currency, such as banknotes and coins
• Cheques
• Travellers cheques
• Promissory notes
• Money orders or postal orders
• Securities
• Gold
• Stamps.

Are there penalties if you bring in too much money to Türkiye?

No, you shouldn’t face any penalties for bringing cash into Turkey, as the country doesn’t place a limit on how much can be brought into the country.¹

The money needs to be derived from legal sources however, and not be related to any unlawful activity - or you may be questioned at the airport by customs officials.

How to declare cash at Türkiye customs when you travel

It’s not necessary to declare cash at customs when arriving in Turkey. The only exception to this is if the money is being brought into the country to be purchased for exportation.

If you do find you need to declare cash or anything else, read on to find out how to do it.

Declaring cash before your trip

In some countries, you can save time at customs by declaring cash before you travel. There may be ways to submit a form online, for example.

However, this option doesn't seem to be available in Turkey. You may be able to get more information on whether it’s possible to make a declaration in advance by contacting customs authorities at the airport you’ll be flying into.

Declaring cash on arrival to Türkiye

If there’s a reason you need to declare cash at an airport or seaport (i.e. a cruise terminal) once you arrive in Türkiye, follow these steps:

1. Look for the ‘goods to declare’ or ‘red channel’ signs
2. Tell a customs official you wish to declare cash, and you’ll be asked to fill in a declaration form.
3. Follow all instructions and have your passport and other documents ready - we’ll run through what else you might need next.

If you can’t find a declaration point, ask at the airport or seaport’s information desk. You may also be able to find a phone number of other contact details on its website.

Checklist for cash declarations at Türkiye customs

While you may not be asked for all of it, it’s sensible to have the following ready to provide at customs:

• Your passport, home address, contact information and other personal details
• The address of where you’ll be staying in Türkiye (i.e. your hotel address)
• Details of your journey, including travel dates, where you travelled from, flight numbers, ferry routes, vessel names, and any countries you’ve passed through in transit
• The total amount of cash and the currency
• Details of who owns the cash and the intended recipient, if it’s not you.
• Details and evidence (if you have it) of the source of the money, including the country of origin and how it was generated.
• Details of what the cash will be used for.

How much cash can you take out of Türkiye? Are there limits?

While there aren’t any limits or declarations required for bringing cash into Turkey, there are some strict rules for passengers leaving the country.

It’s not permitted to take Turkish lira worth more than $5,000 US dollars (approx. £4,015 in GBP) out of the country.¹

If you’ll be taking other currencies worth more than this out of Turkey, you’ll need to declare it to customs officials.¹ Be aware that you may be asked to prove where the money came from.

How much cash can I take to Europe from the UK?

Each country in Europe (or Turkey’s case, Europe and Asia - as its borders extend over both continents) will have its own rules and limits for how much cash you can bring in before needing to make a customs declaration. So, it’s a smart idea to do some research in advance on the country you’re travelling to.

There are also the UK’s own rules to bear in mind. You can take up to £10,000 GBP in or out of the UK without having to make a customs declaration.²

What are the penalties for travelling with too much cash?

If you try to leave Turkey with too much cash and fail to declare it, you risk your money being seized.

You may also face further consequences, such as prosecution, a fine, or even a prison sentence in severe cases.

Destinations where a declaration isn't needed

No matter where you’re travelling to once you leave Türkiye, you’ll need to declare any currency worth $5,000 USD in value to customs authorities.¹

Destinations where declaration is needed

All onward destinations require a customs declaration if you’re carrying currency over a value of $5,000 USD, except if you’re travelling between cities or locations within Türkiye itself.

Additional tips for travelling with cash

Avoid travelling with cash if you can

Travelling with large amounts of cash is a security risk, so it’s best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Consider spending on a card instead of withdrawing cash at a Turkish ATM when you arrive.

Get a money belt

If you do need to carry cash, the safest way to do it is on your person, in a money belt underneath your clothes.

Split your cash

Carrying a big wad of cash isn’t very discreet, and it’s risky too. If it’s lost or stolen, you’d be left with nothing.

So consider splitting your money between a money belt worn on your person, between members of your travelling party, and between pieces of luggage too.

Be aware that exchanging currency in cash can be costly

If you’re carrying money to pay for your trip and need to exchange it once you get to Türkiye, you might struggle to find a good deal.

This is especially true of exchanging cash in airports and hotels, where exchange rates are notoriously poor.

Find out which currency is best to take to Turkey.

Wise – An international alternative to carrying cash

Rather avoid the security worries and inconvenience of carrying cash overseas? Check out the Wise card instead.

It’s a truly international debit card, as it works in 150+ countries including Türkiye without any foreign transaction fees*.

Your Wise card awaits 💳

Best of all, your Wise card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend, for just a small conversion fee*. If you already have the currency in your Wise account, there’s no fee to pay.

You can also use Wise to send money worldwide for great exchange rates and low fees*.

Note: If you live in Turkey, opening a Wise account is not currently possible.

FAQs: How much cash can you travel with?

What else needs to be declared at Turkish customs?

Along with declaring cash when you leave, you may also need to declare the following when arriving in or leaving Türkiye:

• Anything over your duty-free allowance in cigarettes, alcohol or other goods
• Goods intended for trade or commerce
• Prohibited or restricted goods
• Jewellery (for personal use only) over a value of $15,000 US dollars.³

Is it better to take cash or card to Turkey?

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in Türkiye, especially in major cities and tourist resorts.

However, there may be places where cash is best - such as in rural or remote parts of the country, or in smaller shops and cafes. You may also need cash for tipping, shopping at markets, taxis and buying street food.

So, it’s best to take a mix of cash and card to Türkiye with you.

How much money should I take to Turkey for a week?

While it depends where you’ll be going and what you’ll be doing, it’s recommended to take around £40 to £50 per person in spending money with you to Turkey.⁴

This makes it around £280 to £350 per person for a week’s holiday in Turkey.

Should I exchange money before I travel to Turkey?

It may be possible to get better rates for exchanging Turkish lira in Turkey itself - but there’s also the chance that you may get ripped off with hidden fees or a poor rate.

So it may be best to exchange money before you travel, then you’ll be sure of what rate you’re getting and have some liras ready for the taxi driver at the airport after you land.

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Sources used:

1. GOV.UK - Turkey entry requirements
2. GOV.UK - Taking cash in and out of the UK
3. Istanbul Airport - Arrival Passenger Guide - Customs Services
4. John Lewis Finance - Turkey travel money guide

Sources last checked on date: 17-Jan-2025