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RODriving from the UK to Turkey by car: breakdown cover for the whole route
Every summer thousands of families set off from the UK for Turkey by car: through the Channel Tunnel or on a ferry, across France, Belgium and Germany, then down through the Balkans or across the Adriatic to Greece. It is a journey of several days through many countries, and a breakdown halfway is the one thing nobody plans for.
SD ASSIST is a roadside assistance membership built for exactly this drive. Your cover applies on the Continent, whether you arrive by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel, and stays with you across Europe and the Balkans into every province of Turkey: 35 countries, one 24/7 line answered in English and Turkish.
The route: Channel, Central Europe, then the Balkans or the Greek ferry
Most drivers cross at Dover–Calais or Folkestone–Calais and head east through France and Belgium into Germany. From Austria the road splits: the classic Balkan route runs through Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria to the Kapıkule border, while the southern option goes through Italy and a ferry from Ancona, Bari or Brindisi to Greece, entering Turkey at İpsala.
Several countries on both routes use motorway vignettes or tolls, and border waiting times change with the season. Check the current rules for each country before you set off, plan your overnight stops and keep your documents within reach rather than in the boot.
- Balkan route: France – Belgium – Germany – Austria – Hungary – Serbia – Bulgaria – Turkey (Kapıkule)
- Southern route: France – Germany or Switzerland – Italy – ferry to Greece – Turkey (İpsala)
What European breakdown cover from SD ASSIST includes on this drive
If your car breaks down anywhere on the Continent along the route, from the moment you drive off the ferry or out of the Tunnel, one call to our 24/7 line is enough. We organise recovery or towing, a roadside repair where possible, a replacement car while yours is in the workshop and a hotel room if you are stranded overnight. The operator speaks English and Turkish and deals with the local garage and recovery company for you.
The EURO Premium membership covers the whole route: all 35 countries, including every transit country between the Channel and the Turkish border and the whole of Turkey, on both sides of the Bosphorus. If you are towing a caravan or driving a motorhome, Caravan ASSIST is the membership designed for that. Electric cars are included.
Documents and timing before you leave
To enter Turkey with your own car you need a valid Green Card (international motor third-party liability certificate) that lists Turkey. It is a separate, mandatory document, so check it with your insurer before you set off. Take your driving licence, the V5C logbook and passports for everyone in the car.
Join at least five days before you travel: a standard membership becomes active 120 hours after your payment is confirmed, or 24 hours with the Early Start option. Memberships run for 1, 3 or 12 months, so a single summer trip and a year of driving between Europe and Turkey are both covered.
If you break down on the way
If anyone is injured or the car is blocking a live lane, call 112 first; it is the emergency number across Europe and in Turkey. Then call the SD ASSIST line, tell the operator where you are (motorway, direction, nearest exit or kilometre marker), your vehicle registration and what happened. From that moment we take over the organisation and keep you informed until you are moving again.
Frequently asked questions about driving from the UK to Turkey
Is SD ASSIST breakdown insurance?
No. SD ASSIST is a roadside assistance membership, not an insurance policy. You join for 1, 3 or 12 months and, if you break down, we organise recovery, repair, a replacement car or a hotel through our partner network.
Where does the cover apply on the drive from the UK to Turkey?
On the Continent: across Europe and the Balkans and throughout Turkey, 35 countries in total, including every transit country on both the Balkan route and the Italy–Greece ferry route, and both sides of the Bosphorus.
Do I need a Green Card to drive into Turkey?
Yes. International motor third-party liability cover (a Green Card listing Turkey) is mandatory to enter Turkey with your own car. It is a separate document from your SD ASSIST membership; check it with your insurer before you leave.
When does the membership start?
A standard membership becomes active 120 hours after your payment is confirmed. With the Early Start option it becomes active after 24 hours. Join before you leave the UK so the cover is active when you reach the Continent.
Which membership is right for the UK to Turkey drive?
EURO Premium covers the whole route in 35 countries. If you are towing a caravan or driving a motorhome, choose Caravan ASSIST. GREECE Premium only applies inside Greece, so it is not the right choice for the full journey.
Does the cover include the Asian side of Turkey?
Yes. Many European packages stop at the Bosphorus; SD ASSIST is valid on both sides and along the Balkan route, with 24/7 English- and Turkish-speaking support.
24/7 line: +44 203 800 1361