One of the most frequently asked questions by Turkish Republic citizens traveling abroad is the “Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey.” Especially for passengers traveling by ferry to the Greek Islands such as Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos, and Rhodes, or those joining European tours, this fee is one of the official obligations that must be completed before travel.
It should be remembered that the exit fee for leaving Turkey is neither a passport fee, a visa fee, a visa-on-arrival fee, nor a port tax. It is a statutory fee collected from Turkish Republic citizens when they leave Turkey for abroad.
As of 2026, the exit fee for leaving Turkey is applied as 1,250 TRY.📜 What Is the Legal Basis of the Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey?
The main legal basis for the exit fee is the Law No. 5597 on the Fee for Leaving Turkey. According to Article 1 of the law: “A fee shall be collected per exit from citizens of the Republic of Turkey who leave the country.” This provision clearly explains the basic logic of the fee: it is applied not according to the type of travel (airplane, ferry, bus), but based on the person “leaving Turkey as a citizen of the Republic of Turkey.”
💳 How Much Is the 2026 Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey and How Is It Calculated?
- Current 2026 amount: 1,250 TRY per person.
- This fee is paid separately for each exit transaction.
- For family trips, a separate payment must be made for each individual. (For example, a family of 4 pays a total of 5,000 TRY.)
- Having traveled abroad before, having a valid visa, or having a return ticket does not remove the obligation to pay the fee.
Important Information: Under Law No. 5597, the exit fee for leaving Turkey is updated every year in line with the Revaluation Rate. The President has the authority to increase or decrease this amount.
🛳️ Is the Fee Paid When Going to Midilli and Other Greek Islands?
Yes, absolutely. The exit fee for leaving Turkey must be paid for all trips from Turkey to the Greek Islands by ferry.
This rule applies to all international ferry routes such as Dikili-Lesvos, Ayvalık-Lesvos, Çeşme-Chios, Kuşadası-Samos, and Bodrum-Kos. Having a visa-on-arrival or a Schengen visa does not provide exemption from the fee.
✅ Who Is Exempt from the Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey?
According to the law and implementation circular, the following persons are exempt from the exit fee if they meet special conditions:
- Those with a Residence Permit Abroad: Persons who hold a valid residence permit abroad (residence card) as of the exit date are exempt.
- Children Under 7 Years Old: Children who have not yet completed the age of 7 on the exit date are not charged the fee.
- Those Leaving for the TRNC with an ID Card: Persons exiting to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus using only a chip-enabled national ID card are exempt from the fee. (However, if exiting with a passport or traveling to other countries, the fee must be paid.)
- Crew of Commercial Transport Vehicles: Ship, ferry, and aircraft personnel or TIR/bus drivers traveling abroad for commercial purposes are exempt on the trips for which they are assigned.
- Exits with Pasavan Documents: Persons leaving with a pasavan or similar special border documents are exempt from the fee.
(Note: Holding a burgundy, green, gray, or black passport alone does not provide exemption.)
📱 Where and How Is the Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey Paid?
Today, fee payments can largely be made quickly through digital systems. The old requirement of buying a physical “fee stamp” has, in practice, been eliminated.
Payment Channels:
- Revenue Administration (GİB) Digital Tax Office
- GİB Mobile app
- Partner banks’ mobile apps and internet banking
- Tax offices and PTT branches
- Authorized payment counters/terminals at airports or border crossings (ports)
GÜVENTUR Recommendation: Considering possible congestion and long queues at ports, especially during the summer season, we strongly recommend paying your fee digitally via your bank app or the GİB system at least one day before travel.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
I paid the fee in advance but did not travel. Can I get a refund? Yes. If the fee has not been used, refund applications for cancelled trips or incorrect payments can be submitted through the Revenue Administration or tax offices.
If the fee amount increases, does my earlier payment become invalid? The basic principle is that the amount valid on the “exit date” is taken into account. If you paid at the old rate months before your trip and a fee increase occurs by your departure date, you may be asked to pay the difference (except for transitional circulars).
Who receives the Exit Fee for Leaving Turkey, and is it included in the ferry ticket? The fee is not included in the ferry ticket or tour package. This charge is not paid to agencies, ports, or ferry companies; it is a statutory tax paid directly to the state budget (the Revenue Administration).
🎯 Practical Checklist for Passengers Leaving the Country by Ferry
To ensure a smooth port crossing, make sure you complete the following steps on the morning of travel:
- [ ] Have passport and (if applicable) visa checks been completed?
- [ ] Are ferry tickets and hotel reservation printouts ready?
- [ ] Has the exit fee for leaving Turkey (1,250 TRY per person) been paid?
- [ ] Has the payment receipt been saved on your phone or printed out?
- [ ] Have you arrived at the port at least 1–1.5 hours early for customs and passport queues?
As GÜVENTUR, we are always here for your Dikili-departure Lesvos ferry tickets, visa-on-arrival procedures, and hotel reservations. We wish you pleasant and trouble-free travels in advance!
