Emergency Services & Important Information
Consular Assistance for EU Citizens
Need Consular Help?
General guidance for EU citizens
- As an EU citizen, if your own country does not have an embassy in Ankara, you can seek help from the diplomatic representation of any other EU member state.
- For non-urgent matters in tourist areas, an Honorary Consul may be able to assist. Contact your own country's embassy first for guidance.
Honorary Consulates in Antalya
For assistance in the coastal region
- Germany: Çağlarsoy İş Merkezi, Kat: 1, D: 3, Antalya
- +90 242 314 11 01
- Netherlands: Akra Hotel, No: 24, Antalya
- +90 242 310 99 99
- Poland: Lares Park Hotel, Lara, Antalya
- +90 242 352 20 00
Key Embassies in Ankara
For urgent official matters
- Germany: Atatürk Bulvarı No: 114, Kavaklıdere
- +90 312 455 51 00
- France: Paris Caddesi No: 70, Kavaklıdere
- +90 312 455 45 45
Practical Advice & Explanations
What to do if you lose your passport?
- Immediately report the loss to the local police (Polis) and request a copy of the police report. This is essential for insurance and for getting a new travel document.
- Contact your country's embassy (in Ankara) or consulate for an Emergency Travel Document.
- It's a good practice to keep digital copies of your important documents (passport, ID, visa) in your email or cloud storage.
What to do in a medical emergency?
Call the emergency number 112. Some useful Turkish words:
- Hastane (has-ta-neh) - Hospital
- Eczane (ej-za-neh) - Pharmacy
- Doktor - Doctor
- Ambulans - Ambulance
- Yardım edin! (yar-dum ed-in) - Help me!
- Kaza (ka-za) - Accident
Important: The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has very limited validity in Turkey, typically only in state hospitals and not covering all costs. Comprehensive private travel insurance is strongly recommended for all travelers to cover private clinics and full medical expenses.
What to do if your bank card is lost or stolen?
- Immediately call your bank's 24/7 hotline to block the card.
- Save this number in your phone's contacts before your trip under a name you can easily find (e.g., "BANK CARD BLOCK").
- As a precaution, never keep all your bank cards and cash in the same place. Use a hotel safe for spare cards and cash.
Who's Who? Law Enforcement in Turkey
Polis (Police): Operate in cities and urban areas. They handle general police duties like theft, public order, and traffic control. Recognizable by their dark blue uniforms. Contact them for most incidents within a city.
Jandarma (Gendarmerie): A military police force responsible for law and order in rural areas and on highways outside city limits. Recognizable by their green uniforms. You will likely encounter them outside of major urban centers.
Zabıta (Municipal Police): Not a criminal police force. They enforce municipal regulations, such as checking markets, taxi licenses, hygiene standards, etc. Contact them if you have a complaint about a taxi driver or a restaurant's practices.
Earthquake Safety
Turkey is in an active seismic zone. While major earthquakes affecting tourist areas are infrequent, it's wise to know the basic safety procedure:
- DROP: Drop to your hands and knees.
- COVER: Cover your head and neck under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall and cover your head and neck with your arms.
- HOLD ON: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops.
After the shaking, be prepared for aftershocks and move to an open area away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires if it is safe to do so.