Passport validity for Turkey

Turkeytravellersuite

Hi, travelling abroad to Turkey from the UK on October 2025 for 1 week. 

My current passport runs from Feb 2016 to Aug 2026, because back then we got the extra months. So technically it runs out Feb 2026.

The FCDO says to enter Turkey, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 150 days after the date you arrive and at least 1 blank page.

I have contacted the HM Passport office and my travel provider for clarification, and they keep referring me to the FCDO website, which doesn't clarify the expiry date, so is it Feb 2026 or August 2026?

No one will give me a definite answer, so I've had to email the Turkish Embassy - awaiting a response - can anyone help me please?

elsien

To the best of my knowledge, the 10 years from date of issue which has caught some people out is an EU thing. Turkey is not in the EU, and their own website talks about validity towards the expiry date. Which in your case is August 26.
https://www.mfa.gov.tr/passport-validity-requirements-while-entering-turkey-in-accordance-with-law-on-foreigners-and-international-protection.en.mfa

I think I would probably be more concerned about your flight misinterpreting the rules, particularly if it’s Ryanair or similar.

NoodleDoodleMan

https://www.tui.co.uk/passport-checker

Turkeytravellersuite

Thanks, have already tried that one but although it says valid, it says also check with the country you are visiting or the FCDO website, whcih I have done.

There's no definitive answer, I'm going round in circles 

Turkeytravellersuite

Thank you elsien

Thank you - I will check - I'm flying with Jet2, but not even the passport office won't give me a definitive answer, appreciate your response

Caz3121

Turkeytravellersuite said:

My current passport runs from Feb 2016 to Aug 2026, because back then we got the extra months. So technically it runs out Feb 2026.

no it doesn't

The expiry date on your passport is the one printed on it (not a manual calculated one...this is applicable to EU and non-EU)
If you were to enter Turkey on 20th October then they will be checking for an expiry date printed on your passport that is after 19th March

There have been people caught out by the 10 year rule which is a separate test when travelling to EU. Someone travelling to Spain with your passport in March 2026 may wrongly think that their passport is fine as it does not expire till August...however it was issued longer than 10 years prior which means it is not ok...two separate tests for EU and need to pass both but both refer to the dates printed on the passport. You could go to Spain on your passport in February 2026 and stay for the allowed 3 months and come back in May and you would still be fine on a passport than expires August.

la531983

Maybe its just me but I would just renew it now and remove all doubt and worry.

NoodleDoodleMan

la531983 said:

Maybe its just me but I would just renew it now and remove all doubt and worry.

Seconded - avoid being potentially compromised by these pick n' mix validity dates.

Turkeytravellersuite

Thank you for all of your responses - I emailed the Turkish Embassy yesterday and await their response.

I think to be safe I will just get another passport and then I can stop worrying about it

Voyager2002

Turkeytravellersuite said:

Thank you for all of your responses - I emailed the Turkish Embassy yesterday and await their response.

I think to be safe I will just get another passport and then I can stop worrying about it

It is abundantly clear that your passport is valid for your trip to Turkey, and for most places outside the EU.