In present study, energy transition from fossil-based to renewable energy of Turkey was compared with Germany, which is one of the world leaders, in order to analyze for which points Germany is a good model for Turkey. The renewable energy policies, strengths/weakness and targets of Germany and Turkey were examined and compared. Germany has the 4th largest economy whereas Turkey, which is a developing country has the 18th largest economy in of the world. Germany declared to have the renewable energy in the energy mix by 65% in 2030 and set the long-term targets as: to reach at least 60% of final energy and 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by the year 2050. Turkey is expected to reach ~ 63 GW installed renewables in 2023, which was 42 GW. Germany and Turkey have similarities for the energy security since both are fossil-based and import-dependent countries. The import quotas of Germany are 99% for oil and 96% for natural gas and quotas of Turkey are 93.2% for oil and 99.2% for natural gas. Turkey with “More Domestic, More Renewable” policy wants to reduce the foreign dependency rate and reduce the primary energy consumption by 14% by the year 2023. Germany aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 40% by the year 2020 and in long-term by 80–95% in 2050 as compared to the level of 1990. Turkey declared an intention to decrease the emission by 21% by the year 2030. One of the differences between Germany and Turkey is that Germany aims to shut down the nuclear power in 2022 whereas Turkey, for the first time, is going to have nuclear power in the energy mix in 2023.