Every year, millions of foreign tourists and expats visit or live in Turkey. While enjoying their time, some may become victims of traffic accidents. When this happens, many ask: Can foreign nationals claim compensation in Turkey? Are the legal procedures different for foreigners than for Turkish citizens?

This article provides a clear guide for foreign nationals injured in traffic accidents in Turkey, explaining your rights and how to pursue compensation effectively.

1. Do Foreigners Have the Right to Claim Compensation in Turkey?

Yes. Foreigners who suffer bodily injury in a traffic accident have the legal right to claim material and moral damages.

• However, to prove bodily harm, disability reports must be obtained from a Turkish forensic hospital or the Turkish Forensic Medicine Institution.

• Reports from foreign institutions may not be accepted unless they match Turkish standards.

• Even when accepted, foreign reports may need to be reviewed or rewritten by a Turkish medical expert.

2. Are Foreign Medical Reports Accepted in Turkish Courts?

It depends:

• Reports from countries with similar systems (e.g., Italy, France) are more likely to be accepted.

• Reports from Germany and others often undergo additional evaluation.

• Courts may request a report through mutual legal assistance, but responses are rare.

• The most effective method is for the injured foreigner to travel to Turkey and get a disability report locally.

Legal proceedings can then be initiated either:

• Where the accident occurred,

• Or in Istanbul, where insurance companies are headquartered.

3. How Income Affects Compensation for Foreign Nationals

Courts and insurance commissions evaluate income documents to calculate compensation.

• If no income is proven, courts may default to Turkey’s minimum wage, which leads to unfairly low compensation.

• To avoid this, foreign nationals should submit income documentation such as:

  • Pay slips

  • Rental agreements

  • Property valuations in their home country

Even if mutual legal assistance is requested to verify income, foreign states often reject such inquiries, seeing them as intelligence requests.

4. What is a Foreign Guarantee in Turkish Law?

Under Turkish Private International Law (MÖHUK), some foreign nationals may be required to deposit a guarantee (equal to the compensation sought).

• This rule is applied selectively, based on reciprocity between states.

• If a partial lawsuit is filed (not full compensation requested), this guarantee may be waived.

Conclusion: How Foreign Nationals Can Safely Claim Compensation in Turkey

If you’re a foreign national injured in a traffic accident in Turkey, you can and should claim compensation. The most effective steps are:

• Obtain a disability report from Turkey

• Submit all available income documentation

• Consider filing the case in Istanbul for procedural ease

• Get legal representation familiar with international and Turkish personal injury law