Published: August 21, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Türkiye Travel Advisory and Türkiye Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Ankara
1480 Sokak No. 1, Cukurambar Mahallesi, 06530 Çankaya, Ankara
Tel: + 294 0000 . Emergencies: +90-312-294-0000
Hours: 0745-1630
U.S. Consulate Adana
Girne Bulvari No: 212 Guzelevler Mah. Yüreğir, Adana
Tel: +90-322-455-4100. Emergencies: +90-322-455-4100
U.S. Consulate Istanbul
Poligon Mahallesi, Sariyer Caddesi No: 75, İstinye 34460 Sariyer-Istanbul
Tel: +90-212-335-9000. Emergencies: +90-212-335-9000.
Hours: 0745-1630.
OSAC Country Chapter
There is an active OSAC Country Chapter based in Istanbul.
Contact OSAC’s Europe team with any questions.
Türkiye Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Türkiye due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Do not travel to Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Adana, Ankara, and Istanbul as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Türkiye.
Overall, street crime in Türkiye is low. However, travelers should use the same precautions that they would take in the United States. Turkish citizens are the chief perpetrators and victims of most of the crime in Türkiye. Although violent crimes (e.g. sexual assault, rape, murder) do occur, the expatriate community is infrequently targeted based on information reported to the U.S. Government. Sexual assault has occurred in Turkish baths (hamams) or spas, in taxis, and when traveling alone at night. Assaults involving date rape drugs have also been reported.
The most common types of criminal activity include pick-pocketing, purse snatching, and mugging. These crimes are particularly prevalent in transportation hubs (e.g. train and tram stations, airports, bus stops) and tourist areas. Exercise good situational awareness and take commonsense precautions with belongings when out in public, especially in larger cities, to mitigate risk.
Pickpocketing and theft are common in larger cities, like Ankara, Adana, Izmir, and Istanbul. In Istanbul, Istiklal street in Taksim and the Sultanahmet areas are popular tourist locations and while well policed, crimes of opportunity do occur. Istanbul has dedicated tourist police to assist foreign visitors in popular areas of the city. Residential crimes also occur more often in major cities, with criminals targeting ground floor apartments for theft. Airbnb burglaries have also increased.
Scams are common in Türkiye, particularly internet scams involving people who met online. Typically, the person in Türkiye asks the other person to wire large sums of money to provide financial assistance. Do not send money to someone you have never met in person. Exercise due diligence when purchasing jewelry, rugs, or real estate.
Confidence schemes also occur where travelers are tricked into ordering food or drinks at a restaurant and then are charged incredibly high prices. Patronize well-established restaurants and ask to see a menu with prices before ordering anything. These scammers have a good command of English.
Find crime statistics for other regions on the Turkish Government’s Judicial Registry and Statistics website.
Report crimes to the local police by dialing 112 and contact the U.S. embassy or nearest consulate. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the U.S. embassy or closest consulate.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Türkiye.
Due to the worldwide threat presented by extremist organizations, the potential exists for extremist organizations to target Westerners for kidnapping. ISIS has specifically threatened to target U.S. nationals and Westerners for abduction. The kidnapping threat is higher in areas closer to the Syrian and Iraqi borders. U.S. diplomatic staff are restricted from personal travel within 10 kilometers of Türkiye’s border with Syria and in the two southeastern-most provinces of Sirnak and Hakkari. Be aware of surroundings, and avoid large crowds, tourist areas, and places where Westerners congregate.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Adana, Ankara, and Istanbul as being HIGH-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Türkiye, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
The potential for terrorist attacks in Türkiye, including against U.S. citizens and interests, remains high. Terrorists have previously attacked U.S. interests in Türkiye, including the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, and the U.S. Consulate in Adana.
Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Türkiye. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas. Terrorists have also previously targeted Western tourists and expatriates.
There have also been threats and acts of violence targeting religious minorities, groups, institutions, and places of worship in Türkiye. The level of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic sentiment remains significant.
Do not travel to Sirnak province, Hakkari province, and any area within six miles (10 kilometers) of the Syrian border due to terrorism. U.S. Government staff planning travel to the Adana consular district must have their travel approved. Mount Ararat, in Agri province, is a special military zone, and access permission must be obtained before coming to Turkey from a Turkish Embassy or Consulate.
Terrorist groups, including ISIS and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), have conducted large-scale attacks in the country, including suicide bombings, ambushes, and the detonation of car bombs, improvised explosive devices, and other homemade weapons. The PKK has attacked Turkish military and police personnel in the southeastern provinces, occasionally harming bystanders.
The ability for terrorist groups to carry out complex attacks has declined since 2016. Attacks in Ankara and Istanbul since 2012 have been small-scale, using small arms and explosives. In May, the PKK announced that it will disband and disarm after declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Türkiye earlier this year. However, PKK splinter elements that do not want to reconcile with Türkiye may continue to conduct attacks.
The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) is a radical leftist, U.S. and Türkiye-designated terrorist organization. It has targeted Turkish and U.S. government facilities in the past. The DHKP-C has stated its intention to commit further acts against Türkiye, NATO, and the United States.
Al-Qa‘ida, including its Syrian affiliates al-Nusrah Front and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), maintains a presence in Türkiye, but has not staged attacks recently. However, groups and individuals inspired by al-Qa‘ida might attempt to attack independently, placing U.S. and Turkish interests at risk.
Since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and Israel’s subsequent reaction, there have been increased calls by terrorist organizations like ISIS and al-Qa‘ida to attack targets in Europe. The Israel-Hamas conflict has fueled an increased risk of attacks that might be carried out by radicalized Islamists inside Türkiye and lone-actor perpetrators, who could attack using knives, vehicle ramming, guns, incendiary devices, and other methods that do not require specialized knowledge, access, or training.
Recent attacks in Türkiye include:
- October 2024: The PKK claimed an attack on the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) headquarters outside of Ankara. Two assailants commandeered a taxi, killed the driver, and opened fire and detonated suicide devices outside of TUSAS’s headquarters.
- February 2024: Several individuals reportedly belonging to the DHKP-C attacked Istanbul’s Caglayan Courthouse’s security checkpoint. This is a large judicial complex in Istanbul’s Kagithane district. Security officials killed two and captured a third attacker. The attackers killed one and injured five people, including three police officers.
- January 2024: ISIS claimed credit for an attack on a church in Istanbul that killed a Turkish citizen. The attack took place during Sunday mass at Santa Maria Church in Istanbul’s Sariyer district. Following an investigation, the Interior Ministry announced the arrest of two suspects – a Russian national and a Tajik national. The police also reportedly detained 47 suspects and conducted raids at 30 different locations.
- December 2023: Turkish security forces reportedly disrupted attacks on churches and synagogues, as well as the Iraqi Embassy in Ankara. Turkish police reportedly captured three alleged high-ranking ISIS members and 29 linked/suspected individuals. Separately, the Interior Minister announced that Turkish police in 37 provinces detained 189 ISIS suspects, mostly in Ankara (27) and Istanbul (22). Separately, the Interior Ministry announced that Turkish police conducted operations in 32 provinces detaining 304 ISIS suspects including in Istanbul (86) Ankara (39) and Izmir (20).
Turkish police continually conduct regular operations to detain terrorist suspects across the country. Generally, nearly half of the police operations against ISIS occur in Istanbul, with operations in Basaksehir averaging two raids per month to crack down on the group. Despite large-scale detentions, Turkish authorities will only arrest a portion of the suspects; a majority of suspects are released under judicial control.
Turkish military operations against the PKK in Syria and Iraq have been ongoing for decades, contributing to the decrease in terrorism attacks and associated fatalities since 2016. The Turkish government is likely to continue to declare specific areas within Sirnak and Hakkari provinces as restricted security zones during counterterrorism operations. Restrictions are typically placed in rural areas and have little to no impact on cities, heavily trafficked tourist areas, or airport operations at the Hakkari Yuksekova Selahaddin Eyyubi Havaliman (YOK) airport. Military zone restrictions are anticipated to decrease in 2025 due to recent developments in Syria. The Turkish military maintains its buffer zone in northern Syria and continues its military operations against the PKK and ISIS in Syria and Iraq, which will probably keep any Syrian instability from spilling over into Türkiye.
Türkiye has a history of instituting media blackouts and broadcast bans in the aftermath of terrorist attacks, political unrest, or natural disasters. Turkish authorities claim that such bans prevent the promotion of “terrorist propaganda” and is necessary to counter misinformaton and maintain public order. Following the October 23 attack at TUSAS, Turkish authorities restricted access to social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Similar restrictions occured following the 2015 Ankara bombing, 2016 Istanbul airport attack, and the 2023 earthquakes.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Adana, Ankara, and Istanbul as being MEDIUM-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Türkiye. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Public gatherings are common in Türkiye and can include protests or demonstrations, holiday celebrations, family events, sporting events, and political events in the lead up to elections and following the announcement of election results. U.S. Government employees are advised to avoid all demonstrations. International events can also prompt protests. Participation in demonstrations not explicitly approved by the Government of Türkiye, as well as criticism of the government (including on social media), can result in arrest. Celebratory gunfire following elections or significant Turkish football victories is common.
Elections/Political Stability
Türkiye is a constitutional republic with an executive presidential system and a unicameral 600-seat parliament (the Grand National Assembly). In May 2023, President Erdogan won re-election in the runoff election. The OSCE-led international election observation mission documented that the government unfairly exploited its control of broadcast media to shape the election landscape. The opposition did not contest the election results. Erdogan has signaled that he will not attempt to change Türkiye’s constitution to allow him to run for President again when his term ends in 2028.
Since the 2016 coup attempt, authorities have dismissed or suspended tens of thousands of civil servants and government workers, including more than 60,000 police and military personnel and more than 4,000 judges and prosecutors, arrested or imprisoned more than 95,000 citizens, and closed more than 1,500 nongovernmental organizations on terrorism-related grounds, primarily for alleged ties to the movement of cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the government accused of masterminding the 2016 coup attempt and designated as the leader of the “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization.” However, this has not significantly degraded readiness or effectiveness, especially in the realm of counterterrorism.
Protests & Demonstrations
The arrest of Istanbul mayor and main rival to Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu, on terrorism and corruption charges in March triggered Turkey’s largest anti-government street protests since the Gezi Park protests in 2013. There were reports that police used pepper spray, plastic pellets, and water cannons to dispel protesters in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir. The majority of protests occurred outside of Turkish municipal buildings and universities, such as Istanbul City Hall and Istanbul University in the Beyazit area. Other large protests have been held in Istanbul’s Kadikoy and Sisli districts. Taksim Square, Istanbul’s traditional protest site, has been off-limits for political gatherings since 2013. In Ankara, most protests occurred near universities.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict has led to heightened tensions in the region and demonstrations are ongoing in locations across Türkiye. The protests have targeted U.S.-branded businesses and U.S. facilities, with some turning violent. Anti-Israeli sentiment has grown dramatically since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict on October 7, which has also fueled anti-American and anti-western sentiments.
In October 2023, the U.S. temporarily closed its consulate in Adana due to being targeted during violent protests sparked by a deadly hospital attack in Gaza. Large demonstrations have also occurred outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.
In addition to demonstrations critical of U.S. foreign policy, there have also been calls for boycotts of U.S. businesses, anti-U.S. rhetoric and graffiti, property damage, and some injuries to local employees of certain U.S.-branded businesses. However, as of this report’s publication, there has been a continued reduction in frequency as well as intensity of anti-American demonstrations and incidents targeting U.S. interests.
Below are examples of other recent protests and incidents:
- In February 2024, more than 10,000 people gathered in the southeastern Türkiye, including in the country’s worst-hit province of Hatay, to hold a vigil for the one-year anniversary of the earthquakes that hit the region, as some protested what they called government negligence in the aftermath. There were reported clashed with the police.
- A hostage incident at the Proctor and Gamble (P&G) factory in Kocaeli came to an end with no injuries late February 2024. A former contractor at the factory held seven employees' hostage for eight hours, reportedly in protest against Israel's war in Gaza. All hostages were Turkish citizens. The actual motivation for this incident is unclear and there are no indications that P&G was selected because it is an American company.
Large gatherings may result in enhanced police presence, road closures, and traffic disruptions. Any gathering, even those intended to be peaceful, could escalate and turn violent. U.S. Government employees are advised to avoid all demonstrations. Follow local authorities’ instructions, police may take action to disperse the group, including possibly using teargas or detaining participants, even when the government has approved gatherings.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
U.S. government personnel in Türkiye have relaxed their security posture since January 2025 but there are still concerns with the high anti-U.S. sentiment due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Good security practices could include minimizing public engagements and movements, not wearing U.S.-affiliated clothing, not drawing attention to your nationality.
The Turkish government has unjustly detained several Turkish citizens employed by the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, and the U.S. Consulate in Adana as well as other dual-national U.S.-Turkish citizens on specious charges or without any charge at all. Security forces have detained tens of thousands of individuals, including U.S. citizens, for alleged affiliations with terrorist organizations based on scant or secret evidence and grounds that appear to be politically motivated. U.S. citizens have also been subject to travel bans that prevent them from departing Türkiye.
Pro-government media outlets have pursued anti-U.S. rhetoric with conspiratorial undertones, suggesting that the United States is responsible for causing domestic instability. Inflammatory anti-U.S. rhetoric also regularly appears in the Turkish press and social media outlets, with anti-U.S./anti-Western sentiment exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Anti-American demonstrations and direct targeting of U.S.-branded businesses reached its peak in October and November 2023, with a notable decrease in number and intensity of incidents at the time of this report’s publication. However, there is a risk of demonstrations and lone-actor targeting of U.S.-branded businesses and U.S. diplomatic facilities in Türkiye as the Israel-Hamas conflict and anti-U.S. rhetoric continues.
Law Enforcement
The Turkish National Police (TNP) and Gendarmerie (Jandarma), under the control of the Ministry of Interior, are responsible for security in urban areas and rural and border areas, respectively. The TNP is one of the largest public-sector organizations in the country. The military has overall responsibility for border control. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over security forces.
All individuals in Türkiye are required to carry photo identification at all times and are obliged to show their documents to police whenever requested. Turkish police routinely review identity and immigration documents, including residency permits and/or entry stamps. Individuals who cannot immediately produce documentation of their identity, citizenship, and legal presence in Türkiye may be detained or transported to a deportation center. Document checks may be performed at police checkpoints or by officials on the street or on any form of public transportation, including buses, trains, and ferries. Turkish authorities may be in plain clothes and not immediately identifiable as police. U.S. citizens should carry government-issued photo identification, such as a Turkish residence permit, and your U.S. passport with Turkish entry stamp.
Police Response
TNP is a professional police force, generally responsive to crimes committed against foreigners. Although only some police officers speak English, operators will generally try to locate an English speaker in an emergency. The TNP includes a branch of Tourist Police, who are often deployed to tourist areas especially in Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Beyoglu and Ortakoy) and who typically have English or other foreign language skills.
The emergency line in Türkiye is 112. This number will connect the caller with the police, fire department, ambulance, and gendarmerie.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Türkiye, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Türkiye. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Turkish authorities may not inform U.S. officials of dual nationals arrested in Türkiye.
U.S. citizens have been detained by Turkish authorities who mistook them for illegal migrants. These cases occur most often to citizens who are not carrying valid identification and do not speak Turkish. All visitors are encouraged to carry their identity documents at all times to avoid potential detention at migration check points.
It is illegal to show disrespect to the name or image of Mustafa Jemal Ataturk, or to insult the Turkish Government, flag, president, or security forces, including on social media. Erase any sensitive photos, comments, or other materials from your social media pages, cameras, laptops, and other electronic devices that could be considered controversial or provocative.
Corruption remains a concern in Türkiye, as evidenced by its declining score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. This decline reflects ongoing concerns about the adequacy of government mechanisms to investigate and punish corruption by state officials. Impunity for corruption continues to be a problem.
While the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, the government does not implement the law effectively, and some officials engage in corrupt practices with impunity. In May 2022, the government proposed new measures that would criminalize reporting on corruption and other public interest stories and further restrict the work of the country’s independent media. The bill includes prison sentences for journalists who violate the rules and limits what could be published regarding banks, credit agencies, and other private finance sector companies, which has prompted increased self-censorship on corruption topics.
Cybersecurity
There have been several reports of internet financial scams victimizing U.S. nationals who transfer sums of money to a supposed friend in Türkiye. These scams include fraudulent visa services or fake online romance schemes. In romance schemes, online con artists may communicate and groom victims online over several months, building a romantic interest. The con artists often claim to be U.S. philanthropists in the region, building hospitals and/or schools, or pose as U.S. military personnel traveling through Türkiye. After purporting to have an accident, arrest, travel emergency, intention to visit, or other situation, the scammer then request funds from the target. Never send money to anyone with whom you do not have a verified relationship. See this webpage for U.S. citizens in Türkiye to rule out the possibility that you may be the victim of a scam.
There have also been reports of criminal enterprises targeting individuals using unsecured Wi-Fi to compromise Personally Identifiable Information to commit fraud. A full list of scams is available on the State Department’s International Financial Scams webpage.
Import/Export Restrictions
U.S. private-sector entities should obtain legal representation as an additional precautionary and protective measure. Most U.S. private-sector interests with legal counsel on retainer employ foreign firms operating under the banner of Turkish-branded law firms, since Turkish law prohibits foreign law firms to operate independently in Türkiye.
Türkiye is a major source and transshipment point for counterfeit goods. Do not buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if widely available. They are both illegal to bring back into the United States and to purchase locally.
There is nothing specific in Turkish law that restricts the use or import of satellite phones for temporary use. The Turkish Government treats satellite phones as mobile devices (essentially as cellular phones, tablets, etc.) when it comes to registration and permit. Based on existing regulations, any device with an IMEI number can be used without registration for 120 days. Registration for satellite phones can be done on e-devlet government portal. After this time, devices could potentially be locked for use within Türkiye.
Turkish law has a broad definition of “antiquities” and makes it a crime to remove any from the country. If you buy antiquities, use authorized dealers and get museum certificates for each item. Failure to have a receipt and certificate at departure can result in your arrest, and jail time.
If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of Türkiye to ensure the medication is legal in country. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Some medications may be unavailable in Türkiye.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
