Thousands of Expats are leaving Türkiye

About 175,000, it seems, but the reasons for leaving are not clear.

I gather that leaves 4.4 million expats in the country, that including 1.1 million with residency permits.

Inflation is high so poorer expats will have problems as prices rise.

According to the dude in the video, only poor expats have trouble meeting the income rules.

UK state pension seems to meet the minimum for the moment IF you draw a full pension. However, you won't be rich.

Honestly, I don't think the passive income requirement is too stringent and makes sense for the good of the Turkish economy.  Given that the inflation rate is 46%, a requirement of 150% of minimum wage sounds reasonable.  No country would want to admit expats who struggle financially.

The video states that the minimum passive income requirement is roughly 600 BP for 2024 and will go up for 2025 but is not specified.  My wife informed me that other countries like Portugal and Spain have also been raising the income requirements for expats.  So for comparison sakes, I looked up the passive income requirements for a few other countries:

Portugal: 721 BP

Greece: 1,658 BP

Spain: 1,990 BP

Italy: 2,140 BP

So in retrospect, comparatively from my list above, the requirements for passive income for Türkiye is not excessive. 

Except for not meeting the income requirements, what are the other reasons for expats to leave Türkiye?

@azmarina91

Bottom line, no reason to leave Turkey, life is different but not bad at all and in my experience you can trust people (and virtually no crime).

Expenses have skyrocketed, but Turkey do not expat people who do not want to spend.

It is really sad in restaurants, most of the time we are the only clients (even if food and service is great), same applies for hairdressers, even supermarkets (and normal markets)

People come, but do not spend, Turkey does not need that.

I will see what happens for me and my wife with Ikamet extention, but i am am not too worried

Poor pensioners are not needed, they (the government) have put some requirements, but rarely challenged by the way

COST of living as becoming as in Western Europe, but that is fine, quality is perhaps even more important.

@cdw057

I am leaving Türkiye temporarily, due to my frustration/impatience.  The reason being,  the previous lawyer that was assisting me in getting my ikamet, either forgot to tell me that I have to register my address, or simply thought I knew what to do next.  I wish I had read carefully on the requirements and informed myself.  Here is the problem.  The new lawyer working on the renewal then said we have to start from scratch applying for ikamet, and that I have to leave the country and come back the same day.  I did, and got my ikamet on December valid October to April (6 months, but 2 months have gone by already). Here comes my frustration.  When I went to register my address, they required that I make a new contract.  The contract I had was between myself and the landlord, and was notarized.  I then learned that the contract has to be drawn at the notary office only, which you know is expensive.  So, after visiting Ğöç twice, l just decided to give up on ikamet, and visit Türkiye as a tourist.  Lesson learned: Don’t completely rely on a lawyer, research yourself by going into the government websites.  Even the lawyers may not have an up to date information, due to changing rules.