Filming Permits in Istanbul and Türkiye: The 2026 Rules

Permits are where a shoot in Türkiye is won or lost. The process has two layers: a general filming permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the location-level permissions that follow it. In Istanbul, a new set of city rules announced in January 2026 adds a third set of limits on top. This guide summarises both, from the official guidance and the 2026 announcement, so you can plan a realistic schedule.

Step one: the Ministry’s general filming permit

Foreign productions apply online through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s filming permit system. The application is submitted by the foreign producer and covers the producer, the project, the crew, the locations and the local fixer. According to the Ministry’s 2025 application guide, it must arrive at least 10 business days before filming begins, and the Ministry recommends applying at least two weeks before the crew enters Türkiye.

The application asks for:

• A project summary, synopsis in English and Turkish, genre, director, dates and estimated spend in Turkish lira
• The script, including a Turkish version
• Full addresses of every filming location
• Crew details with passport copies
• Equipment and vehicle lists, with ports and dates of entry and exit
• The local fixer’s details

Every foreign production needs a local fixer

The Ministry’s guide asks every foreign production filming in Türkiye to work with at least one Turkish citizen as its fixer, named in the permit application. After the shoot, the fixer also files an evaluation report within 15 days. In practice, the fixer is the person who prepares the application with you and stays responsible for it on the ground.

Step two: location permissions

An approved project receives a general filming permit. Each location then needs permission from its own authority: the local administration for public spaces, the owner or operator for private and institutional venues, and the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums for heritage sites. Many well-known locations also charge location fees.

Drones and aerials

Drone filming needs separate permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, applied for through diplomatic channels. Some parts of Istanbul are restricted airspace. If aerials matter to the film, raise them at the very start so the request runs alongside the main permit.

Istanbul’s 2026 filming rules

In January 2026 the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Istanbul Governorship announced new rules for film and television shoots in the city. The main points:

• The city is divided into three zones. In Zone 1, the busiest areas, a set can use up to 7 large vehicles; Zone 2 allows up to 11; Zone 3 has no vehicle limit.
• In Zones 1 and 2, work ends at midnight in winter and 01:00 in summer. Zone 3 has more flexible hours.
• Night shoots between 23:00 and 06:00 are allowed in designated night-shoot zones.
• Shoots in public areas must notify the district civil administration at least 7 days in advance. Shoots that affect traffic or need road closures apply to the district governorship and the municipality within the same period.
• Sets on the same date must be at least 1 km apart, and residents must be informed 24 hours before a shoot.
• Productions supported by the Ministry, or using 3 or fewer large vehicles, pay a quarter of the set fee. Hand-held shoots that don’t occupy public space are free.
• Each district has a coordination unit led by the district governorship to handle requests.

The announcement refers to film and television productions. For commercials and other formats, we confirm the requirements with the district before the schedule is locked.

A realistic timeline

For a straightforward shoot, start the Ministry application two to three weeks before the crew travels, and the Istanbul district notifications at least a week before each shoot day. Heritage sites, drones, road closures and large units need more time. The earlier we see your locations, the more options stay open.

How LSS Film helps

We act as your local fixer, prepare the Ministry application with your team, secure location permissions and plan the schedule around the zone and hour limits. Rules and fees change, so we confirm current requirements for every production before anything is booked.