What Happens When You’re Arrested in Turkey?

A Detailed Legal Guide for Foreigners Who Have Been Detained or Arrested in Turkey.

What Happens When You’re Arrested in Turkey?

If you're arrested in Turkey, you’ll be taken to a police station, questioned, and held in custody for up to a few days before being brought to court. The judge will decide whether you’ll be prosecuted or released. If prosecuted, you’ll be held in prison until trial. If released, you may still be sent to a deportation center. Deportation is common for foreigners, even if they have residency. Legal support can help shorten detention and offer alternatives to deportation.
Foreigners in Turkey face different legal procedures than locals. Having a lawyer from the start is critical to protect your rights, reduce detention time, and prevent or challenge deportation when possible.

1- Your Rights During Arrest

The police must tell you in your language (using an interpreter if necessary); why you've been arrested, initial proceedings against you that have started and your rights

Additional rights:

Access to a lawyer (before and during interviews)
Free interpreter service (takes 4-8 hours to arrange)
Right to remain silent
Right to request evidence collection for your defense
One phone call to contact someone

Only a lawyer can visit you at the police station; relatives, friends and consular staff are not normally allowed to visit.

2- How Long You Can Be Held Detained?

Adults can normally only be held in police cells for up to 24 hours maximum.For serious crimes you can be held for up to 48 hours and for mass crimes and terrorism the limit is 96 hours. In very complicated terrorism cases this period can be extended.A
Up to 12 hours can be added to this to cover the time to take you from the police station to the nearest court.

- Personal Belongings
Your personal belongings, including your passport, other ID and mobile phones, will be held by the police. You will get a receipt for these. They will be taken with you to court and, if you're released by the judge, will be returned to you - unless they're kept as evidence for the court's investigations.

- Going To Court
When you're first taken to court you'll be told about the charge brought against you. You will then give a pre-hearing statement to the prosecutor. Depending on the evidence, the judge will then decide to release you or go ahead and prosecute you.

- Bail
Foreigners are rarely allowed bail but if you have a valid Turkish residence permit or are married to a Turkish national it might be granted, depending on the charge. If you're allowed bail you might get a travel ban and your passport may be kept by the Turkish authorities. Other bail restrictions depend on the situation.

- Being Put On Remand
If you're charged, you'll be taken to prison on remand to wait for your court hearing. This hearing is normally around 3 to 6 months later. There are no differences between prisoners on remand and those that have been already sentenced. They're normally kept in the same prisons and the same cells. Remand prisoners have the same rights and conditions as sentenced prisoners and the same access to lawyers, visitors and phone calls.

- Release
Even if you are released, you will still be deported.

3- Release and Deportation:

After release, you will be taken to a deportation centre.
You will be deported, even if you have residency.
You (or someone on your behalf) must pay for your flight.
If you can’t afford it, Turkish authorities may help in special cases.

However, if you don’t have a lawyer, the deportation process may take longer, and as a result, detention periods can last for several months. By contacting us, you can help speed up the process and receive accurate legal guidance from our lawyers on what can be done.

4- Consequences of Deportation:

Entry ban to Türkiye for up to 5 years or permanently, depending on the case
Administrative fines
Residence permit cancellation
Detention in a deportation center (can last up to 6 months, depending on the situation)

- Those who don't want to be deported from Turkey: contact us first to get help from a specialized lawyer in the field. The lawyer will assess your specific situation and take appropriate action.

5- Possible Actions:

5.1. Appeal Against the Deportation Decision

An objection can be filed through administrative court.
If the court cancels the deportation decision, the person is released from the deport center.

5.2. Release Under Alternative Measures Instead of Being Held in the Deportation Center

The following methods may be applied:

a) Fixed Address Obligation

Foreigners may be released on condition that they reside at an address reported to the Provincial Directorate.
Proof is required via rental contract or written consent of the host.
Police verify the address, and check if the person lives there.
Some foreigners may also be subject to additional obligations based on risk category.

b) Reporting Obligation

The person must report regularly to the authorities.
Methods: fingerprint verification, voice recognition, or signing in person.
Frequency is decided by the authorities (not more than once a month).
Permission is required to report in another city.

c) Voice Recognition

The person uses a government-provided app to confirm identity and report remotely.
Travel within Türkiye is possible with prior permission, reporting continues in the new location.

d) Family-Based Return

The foreigner may stay with first or second-degree relatives legally residing in Türkiye until deportation.
Family relationship must be proven; written consent from relatives is required.

e) Return Counselling

Assistance and guidance is provided for voluntary return to the country of origin or a third country.
The person is informed of their rights and obligations during the return process.