Turks living in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, the UK and Scandinavia return home at least once a year. Summer holidays, religious festivals, family events — the reasons vary, but one thing stays the same: the need for a car once you arrive in Turkey. Public transport options are limited, taxis are expensive, and a relative's car is not always available. The solution: car rental.
However, diaspora visitors face different challenges when renting a car in Turkey compared to local customers:
This guide walks diaspora Turks through the entire car rental process for their annual trip to Turkey, from start to finish.
Turkish citizens (Turkish ID holders):
German / EU citizens only:
Stays longer than 6 months: An international driving permit is recommended in addition; it is not mandatory but avoids language barriers during police checks.
Age requirement: Minimum 21 years. A young driver surcharge of 150–300 TRY per day (approx. 4–8 EUR) applies for drivers aged 21–25.
Many diaspora Turks living in Germany prefer to keep their credit card limit free for European expenses. Some use only a debit card. Major international chains in Turkey (Avis, Europcar, Hertz, Sixt) will typically refuse to rent in these cases.
SAW Rent A Car and some local companies are different:
Security deposit model: Instead of a credit card hold, a cash or bank-transfer deposit is taken. It is returned immediately upon damage-free return of the vehicle.
SAW Rent A Car — Car Rental Without Credit Card → Mietwagen ohne Kreditkarte (detailed in German) →
Options for diaspora visitors who wish to pay all or part of the rental fee before arriving in Turkey:
The method most commonly used by diaspora Turks in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. Send in TRY or EUR via a multi-currency account.
Direct transfer between German banks (Sparkasse, Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Postbank) and Turkish banks.
Instant transfer using a Revolut account on the EU banking network.
Bring EUR from Germany and hand it over at the airport or branch in Turkey. Practical for an annual holiday.
Munich → Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) or Istanbul Airport (IST): SAW for the Asian side of Istanbul, IST for the European side or Thrace.
Berlin → SAW or IST: Turkish Airlines direct to Istanbul, Pegasus to Sabiha Gökçen.
Düsseldorf, Cologne, Frankfurt → Antalya (AYT): Heavy summer charter traffic. Landing directly at AYT is the most convenient option for a Mediterranean holiday.
Amsterdam, Brussels → Bodrum (BJV) or Dalaman (DLM): Ideal summer charter routes for an Aegean holiday.
Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen → AYT, BJV, ADB: Scandinavian charter favourites for a summer holiday.
Munich Turkey Car Rental → Berlin Turkey Car Rental →
For diaspora visitors who spend 4–8 weeks a year in Turkey, a monthly rental rate offers a unit cost 30–50% lower than a daily rate.
Advantages of monthly rates:
Example calculation:
For summer weekends (July–August), early booking provides a critical advantage.
| Lead Time | Advantage |
|---|---|
| 90+ days | 15–20% discount, guaranteed availability in premium and convertible segments |
| 60–90 days | 10–15% discount, wide segment selection |
| 30–60 days | Standard price, mid-range vehicles available |
| 14–30 days | Risk of selling out quickly, prices rising |
| 7–14 days | Availability becomes difficult |
| Last week | Convertibles and premium vehicles sold out; prices at peak |
Tip: plan your annual holiday in March–April and book the car at the same time as your flight.
1. Last-minute booking: convertibles and premium vehicles sell out for summer weekends.
2. Wrong airport: choosing IST when your plans are on the Asian side of Istanbul adds an hour to your journey.
3. Being unprepared for credit card requirements: confirm the company's terms before you travel.
4. Assuming EUR payment is accepted everywhere: not all companies accept it; SAW Rent A Car does.
5. Using a daily rate for a long stay: a monthly rate is 30–50% cheaper for stays of 30+ days.
Can I rent a car in Turkey with a German driving licence? Yes, an EU driving licence is directly valid.
Can I pay with EUR cash? SAW Rent A Car and some local companies — yes. Major chains — generally no.
How does Wise work? Send TRY or EUR via a multi-currency account. Confirmed in Turkey within 1–24 hours.
Is a monthly rate worth it for a 4-week holiday? Yes. It saves 30–50% compared to a daily rate.
Is there a German-speaking representative? SAW Rent A Car has active support in German, English, Russian and Arabic.
Can I drive the rented car back to Germany? No. The rented vehicle may only be used within Turkey's borders.
