Bona Ventura

Istanbul

Practical info

Free entry, tax-free, lost passport, phrases

Free entry 21

Museums and sights that are free, always or on certain days. From each place’s official page.

Always free

Tax-free shopping

Visitors can get the VAT back here.

For foreigners, and for Turkish citizens who live abroad and hold a residence permit from that country.

VAT rate
20%
Minimum purchase
More than TRY 1,000 per invoice, excluding VAT.
Time limit
Leave with the goods within 3 months of purchase.
Where to get it approved
Customs at the exit point; refund at the customs bank branch or later from the shop.

Step by step

  1. Buy from an authorised shop and show your passport. You get a special invoice (keep 3 copies).
  2. When you leave, show the goods and invoice to customs for approval.
  3. Collect the refund at the customs bank branch, or send the approved invoice to the shop within 3 months.

Official sources: mevzuat.gov.tr

Lost passport

If your passport is lost or stolen, here is what to do.

You are in Türkiye. Other nationals: contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in Türkiye.

Show the waiter

Sentences in Turkish to show the waiter or the driver.

Checked against phrasebooks. Tell us if a sentence sounds wrong.

The Bona Ventura app

Plans your days, reads the walks aloud, finds what is open near you and works offline.

Coming soon to iPhone and Android.