Romanians can, from May, take their vacations only with the bulletin in Turkey, at least theoretically. The chaos in the Turkish hotels was one step away from ruining the vacation of some Romanians. They were refused accommodation based on the bulletin. Specifications of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for Romanians. PHOTO: Mustafa Korku/Pixabay
Turkey is the most popular holiday destination outside the EU for Romanians, according to a report carried out, at the beginning of 2024, by Visa Inc in Central and Eastern Europe.
37% of Romanians declared their intention to go abroad on vacation. In Europe, the most requested destinations are Greece, Italy and Bulgaria. Outside of Europe, the top is dominated by Turkey, followed by Egypt and the United States.
In this context, the presidential decree published on May 21, 2024, in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, according to which Romanian citizens will be able to travel based on their identity card, was received with enthusiasm.
Thus, based on this document, Romanian citizens will be able to transit or stay on Turkish territory for 90 days in any 180 days.
One step away from a ruined vacation
Unfortunately, the new legal provision is not respected by all hoteliers in Turkey. The administrative chaos in which tourism in Turkey operates has created problems for a Romanian family.
“Hello, I have just arrived in Turkey, at Adalya Ocean Deluxe and I have provided the identification slips at the accommodation. The lady told us that they can’t accommodate us based on the bulletins, but only on the basis of the passports”, Lavinia tells on a Facebook group dedicated to holidays in Turkey.
Even though the Romanian family insisted that there is a law in this regard and that they were received at the airport only with the bulletins, they were replied nonchalantly: “in the database they cannot scan the bulletins.”
Lavinia asked on Forum Turkey if other Romanians have encountered similar problems.
Discussions on Internet forums are contradictory: some say it is possible only with the bulletin, others still recommend using the passport.
“If you see the comments on the internet, the opinions are divided, some say you need a passport at customs and/or hotel, others say you don’t need it. I for one, relying on the law, am inclined to believe that a passport is no longer needed for adults even at customs, let alone at check-in. I think that the Turkish customs and hotel officials also know the law”claimed Ana.
Several people have asked worriedly how it actually is: do you need a passport or not to be able to holiday in Turkey?
“Has anyone experienced this problem at Delphin chain hotels? We are leaving on 01.07 to Botanik Platinum and my mother does not have a passport, she will travel based on CI. Thank you very much!”Marius asked.
“I’m asking for my parents who are coming in September and they don’t have a passport at all. Just a bulletin. Since it is the law and I passed the airport safely, it seems normal to me that we can also stay at the hotel only with CI”asked another member of the group.
“And we also go to Botanik on July 13. If someone can clarify for us it would be great. The agency told us that it is possible with CI“, Cristina also intervened.
How not to risk ruining your holiday in Turkey
Loredana, representative of the “Good Turkey” travel agency, tried to clarify the situation: “Try to have at least a copy of your passport with you, the hotel staff will surely accept it, they also know the new rules and should apply them. Enjoy your stay!”
For those who do not have a passport at all, it is recommended: “possibly send them an email with the copy (of bulletin-no) beforehand, so you save time with explanations when you arrive”.
Lavinia’s family managed to settle in an ending, but… not with the report cards. “Luckily we also had our passports“, said the tourist from Romania.
She was also informed by the guide that “must be notified in advance at the agency if accommodation is only based on the bulletin. Some hotels still don’t know that you can travel without a passport.”
MAE clarification: don’t forget to do this
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specified that in order to enter the territory of the Republic of Turkey, Romanian citizens must hold one of the following Romanian travel documents: identity card, diplomatic passport, electronic diplomatic passport, service passport, electronic service passport, simple passport , simple electronic passport or temporary passport.
Those who enter with their identity card must know that it must: be within its validity period.
The MFA warns tourists about the fact that every time they enter Turkey with their passport, the Romanian citizen will receive from the Turkish border police a form where the date of entry, the name, surname, citizenship and gender of the person will be mentioned and the date will be stamped entrance.
Pay attention to the form!
The form will need to be presented at any routine police check, as well as upon exiting Turkey.
The MAE recommends that entry/exit to Turkish territory be made on the basis of the same form (on which the relevant stamp is placed), issued by the Turkish border police, in order to streamline the entry/exit process from this country.
Important! “We recommend that you pay attention to the border/customs controls and make sure that the customs form related to the identity card is filled in properly and kept until you leave the Republic of Turkey, respectively that you have the stamp of entry into Turkey applied to the form identity card / passport”says the MAE.
Romanian citizens who will enter the Turkish territory for tourist purposes will have to present at the Turkish border points all the documentation specific to a tourist visa (round-trip ticket and proof of accommodation in the Republic of Turkey), but it is not necessary to present the Romanian passport.
To avoid a ruined holiday in Turkey with only the ticket, you must inform the hotel where you will be staying that you are coming only with the ticket. If you have passports, take them with you to make sure there are no surprises.
