Turkish Visa Requirements for Italian Citizens| Turkey e-visa

Last updated: January 2025

For many years, Turkey was one of the favorite destinations for Italians, thanks to rich history and cultural heritage combined with breathtaking landscapes. Luckily for Italian citizens, they happen to be in one of the positions privileged with visa-free travel to Turkey for short-term stays. Further in this guide, we will be discussing the main rules of the visa-free entry, the types of visa available for Italian citizens visiting Turkey for longer stays or specific purposes, and essential Turkish visa information for Italians.

Do Italian Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Turkey?

Italian citizens do not require a visa to enter Turkey for a limited duration; there is a visa-exemption agreement between the two countries. However, there are a number of conditions against the continuing validity of these agreements.

Duration: Italian citizens can enter and stay in Turkey without applying for a visa for 90 days within 180 days.
Purpose of Visit: The visa exemption includes visits for tourism, business, and family visits.
When the visit is for employment, study, or any other type of long-term stay, it shall be subject to the requirement of a visa.

Eligibility criteria for the Turkey Visa free entry for Italians

Italian citizens have the opportunity to enter Turkey without a visa under specific conditions. Here are some of the critical eligibility criteria:

Short-Term Stay: Italians can enter into Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days within any period of 180 days. This provision applies for tourism, business, or family visits.

Valid Passport: For entry without visas, there should be a valid Italian passport or national ID card. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry to Turkey.

Purpose of Visit: Visa-free entry is allowed on the basis of tourism, business activities, or in order to visit family. In cases of purposes such as work, study, or for long-term residence, it is necessary to obtain a visa.

Return or Onward Travel: It is not always, but it's desirable to be in possession of proof of onward or return travel .

Sufficient Funds: Even though it seldom happens, if requested, proof of sufficient funds for the length of stay should be provided.

When Must Italian Citizens Have a Visa for Turkey?

While it allows short-term stays without a visa, Italian citizens have to get one in the following cases:

Staying over 90 days within a period of 180 days: Stays over 90 days in a 180-day period, you will have to apply for a residence permit or visa extension.
Working: If an Italian is going to work in Turkey, a work visa and permission to work need to be received before commencing work.
Study: Students going for educational programs or university studies in Turkey will have to apply for a student visa.
Residence: An Italian citizen who intends to stay in Turkey for a period longer than the term allowed by the visa or visa exemption shall obtain a residence permit. Family reunification, retirement, and investment purposes among others.

Application Process for a Turkish Sticker Visa

Following is the step-by-step application process for the Turkish Sticker Visa from Italy:

Determine the Visa Type: Determine the type of visa needed based on the purpose of travel. This is crucial, as different types of visas can have varying requirements in terms of documents and procedure.
Get Your Documents Ready: Have your valid Italian passport, Turkish visa application form (filled out), passport photos, proof of travel and accommodation, financial documents, and any other visa-specific paperwork ready, like the contract at work or university admission.
Application to the Embassy/Consulate: Your application is required to be submitted directly, personally, and officially to the nearest Embassy or Consulate in Italy. Office hours and if any appointment is required can be found on the official website of the embassy.
Application Fee Payment: The visa fee ranges with regard to visa category and number of entries. It is therefore advisable to confirm on the methods of payment and fee amount with the consulate's official website.
Wait for Processing: The time it takes for a Turkish Sticker Visa to be processed differs; it takes anything from some days up to weeks, which largely depends on the type of visa and other factors. It is highly recommended to apply well in advance of your trip.
Collect Your Visa: Once your application is processed, you are contacted to collect your visa from the consulate or embassy. Ensure all details in the visa are correct before departure.
Entrée in Turkey: Sticker visa and passport are required at border control on arrival in Turkey. Also, it is recommended to have with you all the support documents, as the border authorities may request further verification of any of the presented documents.

Essential Documents for a Visa Application to Turkey from Italy

Below is a checklist of the main documents to be uploaded for a visa application from Italy to Turkey:

Valid Passport: Your passport needs to be valid for six months beyond the date of stay in Turkey, and it has to have at least one empty page.
Filled Visa Application Form: A copy of the online Turkish Visa Application Form or on paper needs to be taken from the Embassy or Consulate.
Passport-Sized Photos: Please provide recent passport-size photos in line with the photographic requirements of a Turkish visa.
Proof of Travel: Copy of reservation of round-trip flights or travel itinerary.
Accommodation Details: Proof of hotel reservation, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from a host in Turkey.
Proof of Financial Means: Bank statements or other financial documents that indicate your ability to support yourself.
Health Insurance: Health insurance, valid for the period of stay in Turkey.
Visa-Specific Documents: Depending on the type of visa you will apply for, such as a work visa, student visa, or family visa, you may be required to provide additional supporting documents: job contract, university admission letter, or proof of family relationship with a citizen/resident.
Visa Fee Receipt: The receipt of payment for the visa application fee.

Long-Term Stay Options for Italian Citizens

Italian citizens who intend to stay in Turkey for more than the 90 days' visa-free entry period may apply in various categories of long-term visas depending on the purpose of stay in the country. An application may be made for a:

Visa Type	Description
Work Visa	Italians seeking employment in Turkey must obtain a Work Visa. After securing a job, the employer files an application with the Ministry of Labour. The visa is issued for one year, with a work permit granted upon arrival.
Student Visa	Italian students are supposed to get a Student Visa to study in Turkey. Such a visa is valid for the duration of the study program. Supposedly, in addition to an admission letter from an educational institution in Turkey, a residence permit is issued upon arrival.
Residence Permit	Italians wishing to stay for more than 90 days must apply for a Residence Permit, which covers family reunification, retirement, or investment. It requires documentation such as proof of accommodation, financial stability, and insurance.
Investor Visa	Applicants for an Investor Visa will have to prove their investment in Turkish real estate or business. This might also turn into one of the paths towards long-term residence permission, making it easier for Italians to live and work in Turkey.
Family Residence Permit	Italians with family members residing in Turkey can apply for a Family Residence Permit. Supporting documents proving the relationship and financial stability are needed. It is typically issued for 1–2 years and is renewable.
Long-Term Residence Permit	Italians residing in Turkey for eight consecutive years with a valid residence permit can apply for a Long-Term Residence Permit, which grants indefinite residency rights, excluding voting rights. Proof of residency and income is required.
Research and Scientific Visa	Italian citizens visiting Turkey for academic or scientific research must provide an invitation or permit from a Turkish institution. The visa is valid for the duration of the research project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes, if an Italian citizen is going to stay in Turkey for a period longer than 90 days, they can apply for a residence permit. The application within Turkey needs to be done before the end of the visa-free period.

No, Italians need a work visa and a valid permit to legally work in Turkey. Working with a tourist visa or without proper authorization is considered illegal and will attract some penalties or deportation.

Of course, Italian citizens can enter the country for short stays of 90 days maximum with their biometric passport or national ID card, while in cases where they are staying longer or applying for a visa, a passport is required.

It is advisable to apply at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the intended travel date, allowing time for processing. Ordinarily, a visa application takes 10-15 working days to get processed, but as said earlier, it is best to apply well in advance to avoid delays in case something goes wrong.

Yes, Italians have the right to buy property in visa-free Turkey. However, if you are going to stay in Turkey after purchasing your house, you will have to apply for a residence permit.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general guidance and subject to change. For current information, refer to the official websites or the official Turkish e-Visa portal before lodging an application. Please note that this page was last updated in January 2025; thus, some visa rules might change.

Turkish Visa Requirements for Italian Citizens