Turkey by campervan: safety and healthcare
Campervan safety in Turkey: vehicle security, healthcare, emergency contacts and practical prevention. What to know before you go.
Published 18 September 2026Last checked 18 September 2026
Currency
Turkish lira
TRY, not the euro. 55.90 TL to €1 on 18 September 2026
Insurance
Green card, TR box open
A crossed out TR box means the policy does not cover Turkey
Driving
Right
Every toll road needs an HGS account
Language
Turkish
English on the coast, much less inland
Power
230V, type F
Same two-pin plug as most of Europe
Emergency
112
One number for police, fire and ambulance
Safety and health
Safety and health
Turkey sits on active faults and large earthquakes are a normal part of life there. UK government advice records that many parts of the country regularly experience earthquakes, that they can be high magnitude, and that a 6.2 magnitude event in the Sea of Marmara in April 2025 was felt strongly in Istanbul. The practical implication for a van is mild: you are outdoors and mobile. Park away from walls, overhangs and old masonry, and follow AFAD, the national disaster authority.
Earthquakes, handled sensibly
- Turkey is one of the most seismically active countries in Europe and the Middle East. This is a fact about the country, not a reason to avoid it.
- A van is a reasonable place to be. Park clear of retaining walls, balconies, overhanging rock and old stonework, especially in historic town centres.
Wildfire season
- High risk from April to October. Wildfires happen frequently every summer.
- Lighting a fire of any kind, or discarding cigarettes, in a risk area such as woodland can bring a fine or a prison sentence. The forest law makes it a criminal matter, not an administrative one.
Where the official advice is specific
| Area | The advisory position | What it means for a route |
|---|---|---|
| Within 10 km of the Syrian border | UK government advice is against all travel, because of fighting across the border and a heightened terrorism risk | Route the southeast well north of the border. Roads in Hatay towards the border can close at short notice |
| Hakkâri province, near the Iraqi and Iranian borders | Permission from the local governor's office is required | Not a place to improvise. Apply first or plan around it |
| Mount Ararat, Ağrı province | A special military zone. Permission from the Doğubayazıt government office and a fee are required | The mountain is visible for a long way and that is legal. Going onto it is not, without the permit |
| Southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul | UK government advice records that most terrorist attacks in Turkey have occurred in these places | Ordinary vigilance in crowds, and keep an eye on current advice before travelling |
Everyday risk
- Street robbery and pickpocketing are common in the major tourist areas of Istanbul. Elsewhere, ordinary care is enough.
- UK government advice reports deaths and serious illness from methanol in illegally produced spirits and counterfeit branded bottles, including in Ankara and Istanbul. Buy alcohol from supermarkets and tekel shops.
Laws worth knowing before you post anything
- It is illegal to insult the Turkish nation or the national flag, and insulting the President or Atatürk is a criminal offence. The penalty is six months to three years.
- UK government advice notes these laws can apply to comments or images posted online no matter where you were or when you posted them. Defacing banknotes is also illegal.
Official travel advice changes, sometimes quickly, and the position above is what UK government advice said when this page was last checked. Read your own government's current advice before you travel: the practical answer differs by passport, and insurance can be void for travelling against it.