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If I were you, I would check out the latest residency rules, because they changed recently. Now, residency renewals have to be done every six months (previously 1-2 years), pensions must be apostilled, and people who have been here for years are being refused renewals. Regions tend to vary, with some being more lenient than others, but I would say now is not the best time to look at settling here. The rules seem to change quite regularly, so perhaps keep an eye on things before making a decision that you might end up regretting.

My husband and I have been here for four years and our residency renewal is due next year, so we are on tenter-hooks as to whether we will be staying or relocating. If refused, we will have no more than ten days to vacate the country!

@janecrrphilae Rules change all the time, just buy good support and all will be fine.

@cdw057

are you able to give a clearer explanation?  And thanks for this question & answers

@janecrrphila

greetings and may your stay in Turkey continue.   Thank you so much for being willing to share your experience with us. This forum is most helpful to those of us wishing to visit.  It is most disconcerting to see the country  not fully appreciating those that have proven to be assets to it.  May I ask if you’re renting or property owners? 

@reddyionic0p

Hi, we rent an apartment in the Mugla region (Fethiye), but apparently the regions in Turkey vary in regards to  residency applications, so it's best to check with the area you are considering moving to. It is also worth bearing in mind that there are certain areas that are currently restricted where residency application is not currently possible.

Certainly in our region, the sixth month rule now applies to pensioners as well - who must now have their state pension letters legalised by a public notary and apostilled in their country of origin. Then, it has to be translated and notarised here. Also, (at least in the Mugla region) all applications are closed to any new first timers - unless you are a pensioner.  I think it is also necessary to have a criminal record certificate as well for first-timers. As you can imagine, applying every six months is not only costly, but also stressful.

It is worth checking out the following website: https://hometurkie.com/en/residence-permit-turkey/

where you will see the following quote: "the best and most reliable way to obtain permanent residence in Turkey is to buy a property or an apartment. If the value of the property you buy is at least $75,000 and the property in question is outside the restricted areas, you can quickly get a residence permit turkey."

Whilst my husband and I tick all the right boxes for renewal we have heard of others who do so and have still been refused, so who knows?

On a more positive note, the rules tend to change so fast here, so hopefully things will revert back again to the way they were before.

@cdw057

Hi, there is a man in Fethiye we pay to help us with the residency process, but there's only so much he can do. As you say, things change all the time here, so we'll just have to wait and see.

@janecrrphilae I do not like the post, we have enough assets (ie we own our own property (i advice for expats anyhow)). For the moderator please remove the poster.

@reddyionic0p Simple. bring enough money and buy good support (locally), you van forget a lavisch living (een a  single under USD 1000 pm). Turkey is advanced (also in prices). As an indication for me and my wife in a good restaurant we spend EUR 50 (no problem, but for locals it is a disaster)

Getting Ikamet is no issue (and in my view things will change shortly (easier)

Just do not think Turkey as it was cheap as it was

Jane's article is a bit outdated. As of October 16, 2023, the new minimum investment required for residency is USD 200,000. Residence requirements in Turkey are not changing but rather evolving. There have been no major changes in recent years, other than the addition of some required documents.

Please disregard any false information about changes to the residency requirements. The last major change was an increase in the minimum investment from $75,000 to $200,000. Touristic permits are still being processed for certain demographics, but it is no longer as easy as it was before December 26, 2022, for people who are not retired, married to a Turkish citizen, or attending school.

The changes being discussed are minor, such as the requirement for additional documents. These matters are easily resolved in Turkey, whether you choose to rent or buy a home. Everything else is simple.

Everything else is the same as in previous years, other than after you get approved. There are extra steps one must take to become compliant. I wouldn't advise renting if you are under 65 with no pension, no plans to attend university, or are not married to a Turkish citizen. Getting a first-time residency based solely on tourism has been challenging since December 26, 2022, but not impossible.Here's the revised text for clarity:

If you are retired with a government pension, please ensure that your pension document is apostilled. If you are married and traveling with your spouse, bring an apostilled marriage certificate.

If you are buying a home (USD$200K) for yourself and your family, bring your apostilled marriage certificate. If you are traveling with children, bring their apostilled birth certificates.

If you are under the age of 65, not receiving a pension, and were a teacher in the UK receiving a teacher's pension, bring your apostilled teacher's pension document.

If you are working remotely and earning over $3000 a month, consider applying for the Digital Nomad Visa first if you do not plan to buy a home in Turkey and then apply for tourism permit.

Please ensure that you bring your bank statements (signed and stamped by your bank) for the past 3-6 months, demonstrating adequate funds. The minimum required amount at the moment is TL25,500 per month. If you have additional family members, there is a calculator available.

Turkish Minimum Salary:

Net Salary = TL17,002

Foreigner's Minimum Salary Formula:

Net Salary × Migration Factor = Minimum Adequate Income

17,002 x 1.5 = TL25,503

Additional family members are calculated slightly differently for foreigners and those married to Turkish citizens. For foreigners, it's 1/3 of the minimum, calculated using a migration factor, it's TL8,500, while for Turkish citizens without a migration factor, it's TL5,700.

Permit Types and Renewable:

Short-term residency via Real Estate: 1-2 years permit (easy)

Short-term residency via Tourist: 6-12 months (1st challenge) (2nd easy)

Short-term residency via Tourist (Retired): 12-24 months (easy)

Short-term residency via Student: 6-36 months (easy)

Short-term residency via Tourist (Digital Nomad): 12-24 months (easy)

Short-term residency via Family: 12-36 months (sponsored by a foreigner or Turkish)(easy)

There isn't anything else one needs to be seriously concerned about other than what I've shared.

@d4zt7bsj I like your post, nevertheless rules in Turkey seem to change every few months/ We have an Ikamet (we have no income, but capital), no problems whatsoever (it might be a difference that we are Dutch and not Syrian (or Russian)).

We are safe for another 18 months (I think) and again rules change fast. Bottom line Turkey needs people who are able to spend (Alanya/Mahmutlar)

OK rules are there, but if you have cash you can adhere (at a cost of course)

@d4zt7bsj

Reference to 'Short-term residency via Family: 12-36 months (sponsored by a foreigner or Turkish)(easy)'

I have a small question bro,  As a Turkish citizen living in Istanbul in a restricted area where other foreigners are not permitted to register according to government regulations, I have no problem residing here. However, if I want to invite my parents from my home country to stay with me and need to apply for their residence permits, do I have to relocate to a non-restricted area, or can I apply for their registration at my current residence? Please advise.

@Ali2397 You have an issue, by the way calling somebody bro is not appropriate

@cdw057 The rules rarely change significantly and are already outlined on the application. These requirements have been strictly enforced lately. Even homeowners in most regions need to provide Turkish bank statements, UETS numbers, address proof, address history, and utilities under their name. People in Bodrum are frequently getting rejected for not having bank statements or the correct capital or apostilled pension documents. This is also happening in Antalya, and in Istanbul, it's a nightmare with little compassion.

What happens to you might not apply to everyone, which adds to the confusion. People hear different experiences and find that requirements are either not enforced or are stricter than expected during their interviews. The best approach is to have the basics covered -- never wait until the last few days to renew your permit and be diligent with agencies. Trusted agencies know the process and stay up-to-date. Shady agencies are more focused on earning quick money with little customer service. We all know Turkish horror stories. I highly recommend that you begin preparing your Turkish bank accounts with a minimum deposit of TL 25,500 for individuals who are unmarried and TL 34,000 for married individuals to be transferred into a Turkish bank account.

There are no discrepancies with nationalities other than those with international treaties. Recently, those coming from Azerbaijan got two-year permits due to the international humanitarian need.

@Ali2397 Hello Ali [bro], It's an issue; yes, you have to relocate if you want to share the same home. Immediate family members like a spouse or biological child are exempt, or new born child, as well as those who have work permits or are studying in the same district. Unfortunately, if you fall outside these exemptions, the rules require your parents to find a place to reside in a non-restricted area. In Istanbul, you need to attach numerous documents to ensure the success of your residence application, or it will almost certainly be rejected.

@d4zt7bsj For the last extention of Ikamet we prepared everything (too much I think), but it went very, very smoothly.

The biggest focus (Mahmutlar/Alanya) was on TAPU, Marriage certificate , photos, (apostille (but for Dutch it is is easy (for other nationalities it might be a nightmare)), passport. (We prepared many other documents (bank-statements, regular transfers, electricty/water bills, ..., but nobody cares). Lets see how it goes next time.

As a side note on Ikamet, we knew (a very friendly) Iraq family, the mistake they made is to split on the Ikamet (5 referred too). Perhaps it was a disadvantage to be citizens of Iraq. Nevertheless better to have one (or two owners (if married)). Conclusion Ikamet refused.

@janecrrphilae

yes residency permits rules and procedures remain fluid with stringent measures now being taken. Rarely you get 2 years extension; max one year and sometimes even 6 monthly which is frustrating and annoying. Already as per the figures given in the social media, numbers' of expat who left in 2023 and till now are quite substantial. So unless the authorities come up with a stable policy, expats exit would continue. We shifted to Turkey in 2023 and got our 2nd renewal for another year till March 2024 though we had applied for two years and deposited fees accordingly.

@Mushtaqkk Let us see what happens next, we can leave, but as we spend our money and have our own property I am not too worried. Of course an Ikamet is important (no doubt about it), 6 months however for us would be unacceptable, 1 year so so, we go for the normal 2 years (next time).

We can leave, decision of Turkey (or us)

@Mushtaqkk As a side note in late December we got our extention for 2 years, no problem at all. (but perhaps me and my wife many might be an exception)

In Mahmutlar which is a closed district BTW (Why are there no problems??)

@Mushtaqkk Please be concrete especially Russians (also Ukraine (young men)) and Iraqis are impacted (Syria is a different topic)

EU citizens in general are fine.

Rarely you get 2 years extension; max one year and sometimes even 6 monthly which is frustrating and annoying. We shifted to Turkey in 2023 and got our 2nd renewal for another year till March 2024 though we had applied for two years and deposited fees accordingly.
   

Does your statement of maximum one year approval apply for all residency permit types?   That would be highly frustrating and concerning considering that one is making a major commitment in moving to a new country

@Gino_C Well I know one odd case where 2 years residency extension was granted. In this case, a family and grand parents having immovable property and job here in Turkey were granted 2 years extension. My haywhile assessment; since they have shifted all their assests in Turkey + job this could be a reason. This was a case in Bursa. As I know of, extension response from Goc Idaresi (immigration) differs from district to district or cities.