Turkey Drone Laws Explained updated for 2024

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide for travelers considering using drones in Turkey. It outlines the regulations for flying drones, with a focus on the 500-gram weight threshold requiring registration and a Turkish ID for larger drones. Non-Turkish residents face restrictions, particularly in Cappadocia, where all drones must be registered regardless of size. The video also covers customs regulations, recent updates to drone laws, and provides tips for capturing stunning aerial footage in Turkey with smaller, less regulated drones.

Takeaways

• 😀 If you're considering bringing a drone to Turkey, watch this video for important regulations.
• 📍 For non-Turkish residents, the rules are different than for Turkish citizens, so pay close attention.
• ✈️ Any drone over 500 grams must be registered in Turkey, which requires a Turkish national ID.
• 🚫 As a non-Turkish resident, you cannot register a drone over 500 grams for use in Turkey.
• 🛂 Customs regulations are strict; drones over 500 grams may be seized if you're not a Turkish citizen.
• 🚨 Even transiting through Turkey with a drone over 500 grams can result in confiscation by customs.
• 📈 Smaller drones under 500 grams can be flown without registration for non-Turkish residents.
• 🏞️ Cappadocia has specific drone rules, and currently, non-Turkish residents cannot fly drones there.
• 🚫 Flying drones over historical or archaeological sites is prohibited in Turkey.
• 🎥 For the best drone footage, consider a smaller drone under 250 grams, which often has fewer restrictions.

Q & A

What is the weight limit for drones that must be registered in Turkey?

Any drone above 500 grams must be registered in Turkey to fly, while drones below 500 grams do not require registration.

Can non-Turkish residents register drones in Turkey?

No, non-Turkish residents cannot register drones in Turkey as registration requires a Turkish national ID.

What are the consequences of bringing a drone over 500 grams into Turkey as a non-Turkish resident?

Drones over 500 grams brought into Turkey by non-Turkish residents will likely be seized by customs, and there is a high chance they will not be returned.

Is there any way for a non-Turkish resident to fly a drone over 500 grams in Turkey?

No, non-Turkish residents cannot fly drones over 500 grams in Turkey due to the registration requirement, which necessitates a Turkish national ID.

What are the rules for flying drones in Cappadocia for non-Turkish residents?

Non-Turkish residents cannot fly drones in Cappadocia because it requires special registration from both the General Directorate of Civil Aviation and Cappadocia Special Administration, which are only available to Turkish citizens.

What general restrictions apply to flying drones in Turkey?

Drones cannot be flown over military bases, government buildings, crowds, airports, historical landmarks, or archaeological sites in Turkey.

What are the flight height and speed limits for drones in Turkey?

The maximum flight height is 120 meters, and the maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour for drones in Turkey.

What type of drone would you recommend for someone planning to fly in Turkey?

A drone under 250 grams would be ideal as it is generally considered a toy and does not require registration in most countries, including Turkey.

What additional precautions should drone operators take when flying in historical or archaeological areas in Turkey?

Drone operators should avoid flying over historical areas or archaeological digs, as this is prohibited and could result in penalties.

What is the overall advice for non-Turkish residents who want to fly drones in Turkey?

Non-Turkish residents should only bring and fly drones under 500 grams to avoid registration issues, and they should avoid flying in restricted areas like Cappadocia, military zones, and archaeological sites.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Drone Regulations in Turkey for Non-Residents

The paragraph discusses the rules for flying drones in Turkey, particularly for non-Turkish residents. It highlights that drones over 500 grams must be registered, which is not possible for non-residents due to the requirement of a Turkish national ID. Consequently, non-residents cannot legally fly larger drones in Turkey. However, drones under 500 grams can be flown without registration. The paragraph also warns about strict customs regulations, which may result in the seizure of drones over 500 grams. It advises against bringing larger drones to Turkey if one is not a Turkish citizen, as they are likely to be confiscated.

05:01

📍 Special Considerations for Flying Drones in Cappadocia

This paragraph focuses on the unique regulations for flying drones in the region of Cappadocia, Turkey. It explains that even Turkish citizens face challenges in obtaining the necessary registrations to fly drones due to the requirement of a civil aviation registration, which is difficult without a Turkish ID. For non-Turkish citizens, obtaining the additional registration from the Cappadocia Special Administration is impossible, making it inadvisable to fly any drones in the area. The paragraph also touches on recent changes to drone flying regulations in Turkey, such as restrictions over historical and archaeological sites. It concludes with a recommendation to enjoy flying smaller drones in other parts of Turkey, as long as they are under 500 grams and not in Cappadocia.

Keywords

💡Drone

A drone, in the context of the video, refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle that is often used for recreational or professional photography and videography. The video discusses the regulations surrounding the use of drones in Turkey, particularly for non-Turkish residents. For instance, drones above 500 grams require registration in Turkey, which is a significant point for travelers considering bringing their drones.

💡Turkey

Turkey is the geographical focus of the video, where the rules and regulations for flying drones are being discussed. The video is aimed at individuals planning to travel to Turkey, emphasizing the unique legal considerations for flying drones in this country, especially for non-Turkish residents.

💡Registration

In the script, 'registration' pertains to the legal requirement for drones over 500 grams to be officially recorded with the Turkish authorities before they can be flown. This is a critical concept as it directly impacts whether non-Turkish residents can fly larger drones in Turkey, which they cannot due to the need for a Turkish national ID.

💡Non-Turkish Residents

This term is used to differentiate the rules for flying drones between Turkish citizens and those who are not. The video specifically addresses the challenges faced by non-Turkish residents, such as the inability to register drones over 500 grams due to the requirement of a Turkish national ID.

💡Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a region in Turkey known for its unique landscape and historical significance. The video highlights that Cappadocia has stricter drone regulations than the rest of Turkey, requiring specific registrations that are difficult for non-Turkish residents to obtain, effectively prohibiting drone flying in the area.

💡Customs Regulations

Customs regulations are mentioned in relation to bringing drones into Turkey. The video explains that drones over 500 grams require documentation from the Turkish Civil Authority for clearance, which is unattainable for non-Turkish residents, leading to potential confiscation at customs.

💡Pilot's License

A pilot's license is mentioned as one of the requirements for flying drones over 500 grams in Turkey. This is part of the broader set of regulations that make it challenging for non-Turkish residents to fly larger drones, as it adds another layer of official documentation needed.

💡Insurance

Insurance is cited as another requirement for flying larger drones in Turkey. This is part of the comprehensive set of rules that travelers need to be aware of, emphasizing the preparedness needed to legally operate drones in the country.

💡Historical Areas

The term 'historical areas' is used to describe places where drone flying is prohibited due to their cultural and historical importance. The video updates viewers on recent regulatory changes in Turkey that include restrictions on flying drones over such sites, reflecting a global trend to protect heritage sites from aerial intrusion.

💡Archaeological Digs

Archaeological digs are mentioned as another type of area where drone flying is forbidden in Turkey. This keyword is significant as it underscores the efforts to protect ongoing archaeological work from potential disturbances caused by drone operations.

💡Generic Rules

Generic rules refer to the standard regulations for flying drones that are common in many countries, such as maximum height and speed limits, and prohibitions against flying over certain areas. The video uses this term to contrast with the more specific regulations in Turkey, providing a baseline for understanding the additional restrictions.

Highlights

If you're considering a holiday in Turkey with a drone, there are specific rules to follow.

Drones in Turkey are regulated based on weight; drones above 500 grams must be registered.

Non-Turkish residents cannot register drones over 500 grams due to the requirement of a Turkish national ID.

Drones under 500 grams do not require registration and can be flown without issues by non-Turkish residents.

Customs regulations require confirmative documentation for drones over 500 grams, which non-Turkish residents cannot obtain.

Drones over 500 grams are often seized by Turkish Customs if the owner is not a Turkish citizen.

For non-Turkish citizens, it's advised not to bring drones over 500 grams to Turkey due to the risk of confiscation.

Smaller drones under 250 grams are generally considered toys and face fewer regulations worldwide.

Cappadocia has a separate set of drone regulations, requiring registration from both the General Directorate of Civil Aviation and Cappadocia Special Administration.

In Cappadocia, all drones, regardless of size, are subject to strict regulations, and flying without proper registration can lead to confiscation.

Recent changes to drone laws in Turkey include additional restrictions on flying over historical and archaeological sites.

The maximum height for drone flights in Turkey is 120 meters, and the maximum speed is 50 kilometers per hour.

Drones cannot be flown over military bases, government buildings, crowds, or near airports in Turkey.

For non-Turkish residents with smaller drones, Turkey offers many opportunities for stunning aerial photography.

The video provides a recap of drone regulations in Turkey, emphasizing the restrictions for non-Turkish residents and the unique rules for Cappadocia.

Transcripts

hello and welcome back well if you're

considering a holiday in turkey and

thinking of bringing your drone with you

and this is the video for you so stick

around as I will discuss all the rules

around flying the drones in Turkey

bringing the drones into the turkey and

I will also discuss specific rules which

apply to Cappadocia only as cappaduke as

a area has a separate set of rules for

drones

also this video is for non-turkish

residents because there are separate

rules apply for Turkish residents versus

non-turkish residents so if you're a

Turkish resident this video is probably

not for you so let's get into it

flying drones and turkey

so

Turkish Lorry going drones is

relatively confusing but if you look

deeply into it you can break it down

into two sections so

the section where the drones are

regulated and you need to register them

and the section where the drones are

unregulated and you don't have to

register them so in the simple terms

any drone above 500 grams

must be registered in Turkey to fly

any drone below 500 grams

does not have to be registered so you

can simply just have one and and fly it

so if you have something like this

it requires registration to be for you

to be able to use in Turkey additionally

it also requires a

pilot's license insurance

Etc but what's most unfortunate is that

in order to register a drone with

uh Turkish civil Authority you must be a

Turkish resident as they require a

Turkish national ID for registration so

if you're not Turkish resident

unfortunately to be honest there is no

way you can take one of those and fly in

Turkey because you simply cannot

register it

on the other side if you have a smaller

one something like that which is under

500 grams

and you're a non-turkish resident

you can just get it up and running in

Turkey without any issues and no one

will ask you any questions

bring the drones into turkey

so if you want to bring the Drone into

turkey there is a separate Customs

regulations which require you to get the

confirmative documentation in order for

you to clear the customs with your drone

and again the same rules apply for the

Customs so any drone under 500 grams

does not require any registration so the

Customs are not interested in them any

drawn above 500 grams requires a Turkish

civil Authority registration

General directory of Aviation Authority

registration

so

if you going into Turkey right

unfortunately you can't even bring the

sludge drones with you there will be

seasoned by Customs Turkish Customs are

quite strict

and I've heard a lot of reports on

drones being seized

because you simply cannot get the

registration done without the being a

Turkish Citizen and not having a Turkish

citizen ID number whatever Turkish

national ID number

so even if you're considering just

transiting through turkey for a few days

and you have your drone with you which

is above 500 grams they will be seized

by customs and unfortunately like in

other countries in most cases the

not being returned to you on your exit

right so they are confiscated and taken

away from you for good

again that's a report there is no clear

regulations on exactly what happens

but based on the feedback that I've

heard from people and you know from

other fellow Travelers that's the

general consensus for the rules so if

you're traveling to Turkey either on

holiday or transiting and you're not a

Turkish citizen do not even consider

taking a drone which is above 500 grams

because there is a high chance it will

be seized

a drone below 500 grams feel free just

take one of those if you have it

and

go for it

on a side note

um I have noticed recently was there's

been a lot of changes to drone laws

around the world and it seems to be that

the smaller drones have a lot less and a

lot relaxed regulations in most

countries so I think if you are looking

to buy a drone as well

consider buying a smaller one on

probably under 250 grams because they

are generally

considered as toys and in most countries

they don't require registrations

now moving on to Cappadocia cappadoca

being region in turkey and an extremely

beautiful region

introduced a separate set of drawn

requirements in order food to fly and

unfortunately

currently the Drone requirements are

that you need to have a

registration from first before you can

get the registration in kapadoke you

need to get a registration from General

director directorate of civil aviation

which unfortunately you can't get if

you're not a Turkish citizen

so if you can't get that registration

you can't get a registration from

CSA I believe it's called

Cappadocia special Administration

something

and if you can't get that

registration you simply can't fly the

Drone in turkey and that actually

applies to all the drones no matter of

the size

or Dimension or weight or anything all

drones fall into that category so in

Cappadocia at this stage it's simply not

worthwhile flying a drone because the

penalties are quite harsh your drone

will be seized if you caught flying it

without the registrations

I've been to Turkey a few months ago

I've tried to get the registration done

even with the help of Turkish citizen

and unfortunately I was unsuccessful so

I ended up not flying a drone in

Cappadocia I did fly the Drone

um this small one in other parts of the

turkey where we traveled through but

kappadoca was out of the question I just

you know I do not believe

violating the laws in Turkey just simply

worth it and

next I want to talk about the rules and

regulation of actually flying a drone in

Turkey because there have been few

changes recently

so with the recent changes there's been

few additions to the generic sort of

common rules and regulations for flying

drums right obviously you know the

generic ones in Turkey are your maximum

height is 120 meters your maximum speed

is 50 kilometers per hour you can't fly

over always a military bases government

buildings over crowds or next to the

airports and and that's fine that's sort

of generic rules in

around the world so with the new

addition in Turkey they added two more

sections to it which is you can't fly

over historical areas so any Heritage

sites buildings or historical landmarks

and you also can't fly over any

archaeological digs so in Turkey there's

quite a lot of exploration happenings

and there's a lot of sort of open areas

where

you know

you can get really nice drones of half

excavated historical artifacts or

something so those two sections were

added so if you're flying in Turkey make

sure that you aware of it and you don't

fly over any historical or

archaeological sites because simply that

will also get you in a lot of trouble

otherwise

it's the rest of the turkey especially

if you're flying with this little guy

it's pretty much open it's extremely

beautiful and you can get some really

good shots like this so

enjoy it's if you're traveling to Turkey

you've got a small drone take it with

you you'll get some really amazing shots

so

thanks for watching

um I hope you enjoyed the video just to

recap

to type so you can break down the

Turkish launch two parts basically you

have the large drones over 500 grams and

the small ones if you're not a Turkish

Citizen and have a larger drone forget

about it don't even bring don't even

consider bringing it to Turkey if you

have a smaller one go for it enjoy

flying it everywhere except Cappadocia

because in cappaduke there's a separate

set of rule Supply

so I hope that's clear thanks for

watching

give us a like subscribe if you enjoyed

the video got a lot more content coming

up so

happy travel safe travel and enjoy your

drone flying