Frequently Asked Questions for Foreign Drone Operators in Turkey
1. I will come to Turkey. Can I bring my own drone?
Technically, yes — but you are likely to face serious problems at customs.
Foreign drones are often detained or confiscated by Turkish Customs due to strict import and aviation regulations.
Unless your drone is officially declared, registered in advance, and accompanied by all required documentation, it may be held indefinitely.
📌 Unauthorized UAVs may even be returned to your country at your own expense.
2. How can I register my drone in Turkey?
You must register your drone and provide all technical details (serial number, brand, model, etc.) on iha.shgm.gov.tr before entering Turkey.
⚠️ The registration process is only in Turkish, complex, and not designed for individual foreign users. It involves:
- Technical compliance verification
- Communication with Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (SHGM)
- Identification of a Turkish-based drone pilot
👉 In short, the process is long, bureaucratic, and not user-friendly for tourists or foreign companies.
3. Can I fly my drone in Turkey?
No, not without official approval.
All drone flights in Turkey — even recreational or hobby flights — require advance permission from SHGM (Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation).
Flying without permission is a criminal offense and may result in:
- Fines up to 54,000₺ (~$1,700)
- Drone confiscation
- Criminal investigation — in serious cases, espionage or endangering airspace
- Prison sentences in extreme violations
Especially near airports, borders, and military zones, unauthorized flights are strictly prohibited.
📌 Flying a drone without a permit in touristic areas such as Istanbul, Cappadocia, or coastal regions is also illegal.
4. Where and how do I get a flight permit?
All drone flights — unless part of an officially approved international or sports event — require a permit from SHGM. The application must be submitted at least 15 working days in advance.
You will need to:
- Work with a licensed Turkish drone pilot
- Provide insurance documentation
- Submit project details, location maps, flight altitude, and safety plans
- Await civil and military airspace clearance
Additionally, in many regions, police and military units are equipped with signal jammers and drone interceptors to neutralize unauthorized UAVs.
✅ What’s the Solution?
Foreign companies or individuals cannot apply for flight permits independently.
If you are a foreign media, production, or commercial agency, you must partner with a licensed Turkish company to operate legally.
At UAV Turkey, we act as your official drone media partner in Turkey.
We provide:
- Licensed commercial drone pilots
- All necessary drone equipment (DJI, Autel, FPV, thermal, night-vision drones)
- Insurance, permits, and legal filings
- Project-based drone operation services in agriculture, mining, media, emergency response, and more
Let us take care of the paperwork, permissions, and flight logistics — so you can focus on your project with peace of mind.
📩 Contact Us
📧 For professional drone rental and legal flight operations in Turkey, reach out to:
contact@uavturkey.net
We now also operate in all Balkan countries with over 150+ licensed drone pilots and a full fleet of high-end UAV systems.
