Is Alcohol legal in Turkey?
- Legal status
- Legal but restricted — alcohol (ethanol) is a licensed, age-regulated beverage (minimum age 18), not a controlled drug; the 2013 Law No. 6487 bans retail sale 22:00-06:00, advertising and sponsorship.
- Consequences if caught
- No penalty for adult consumption; off-hour or unlicensed sale and advertising breaches carry administrative fines.
- If prescribed or medical
- n/a — a beverage, not a medicine.
- Documentation
- Sold at licensed shops and venues during permitted hours on proof of age; no traveller permit within duty limits.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Turkey’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →