Türkiye has officially published a list of 21 countries whose citizens can enter its territory using only their national identity cards, completely bypassing the need for a passport. The announcement, sourced directly from the Turkish government’s official website, marks a significant simplification of travel procedures for eligible nationals.
Complete List of 21 Countries Eligible for ID-Only Entry
The list, as published on the Turkish government’s website, includes a mix of Western European nations, Eastern European states, and several former Soviet republics. The full enumeration is as follows:
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- Georgia
- The Netherlands
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Italy
- Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Portugal
- Ukraine
- Greece
- Poland
- Bulgaria
- Hungary
- Moldova
- Azerbaijan
- Romania
Policy Details and Implications for Travelers
The majority of the listed countries are European Union member states, but the policy also extends to several non-EU nations, including Switzerland, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Azerbaijan. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which maintains close ties with Türkiye, is also included in the arrangement.
According to the Turkish government’s official website, the policy is explicitly described as: "Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter Türkiye with their national IDs." This means that for citizens of these 21 nations, a valid national identity card is sufficient for entry, removing the additional requirement of obtaining or renewing a passport for travel to Türkiye.
Impact on Non-Eligible Travelers and Related Policies
Travellers from countries not featured on this list will still be required to present a valid passport, and additional visa requirements may apply depending on nationality. This distinction underscores the preferential treatment afforded to the listed nations and could influence travel planning for citizens of other countries.
In a related development, Legit.ng recently reported that Türkiye has introduced a new rule requiring foreign spouses to be married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years before they can apply for citizenship. The government clarified that marriage alone does not automatically grant a foreign spouse Turkish citizenship or a passport, highlighting the country’s tightened immigration and nationality policies.
