Confusion Over Entry to Turkey with New ID Cards

The ministry of public order recently announced their concern with an issue on locals crossing the Greek-Turkish border. Greek citizens are legally allowed to cross the border into Turkey with the presentation of the new national identification card on which information is displayed in Latin characters.

In particular, problems recently arose on the Greek-Turkish frontier at the Kipos Evrou customs station, a point through which many Greek tourists enter Turkey and where Greek citizens with a new identification card where refused entry into Turkey and were told they required a passport in order to be allowed to cross the border.

Turkish officials claim the confusion arises from a specific series of issued identification cards where nationality is not displayed. These identification cards are marked by the Greek letter “Φ” that comes before the number.

The ministry has asked tour operators to inform travelers of this current situation as in many of the aforementioned cases, Greek citizens were refused access into their neighboring country.