How can foreigners obtain residency in Turkey?

Residence permit in Turkey for foreign citizens

Foreigners can obtain a residence permit in Turkey in accordance with Article 31 of Law No. 6458, which was adopted in 2013. This legislation outlines the conditions under which one can apply for an ikamet, the validity of which can be up to two years. Within this act, several reasons for applying are highlighted. In particular, point b implies the right to register property, while point e includes the desire to stay in the country for tourism purposes.

The residence permit provided for tourists is often referred to as a "temporary residence permit for rental." This option is available with a valid rental agreement, but it is also worth noting that property owners can also apply for an ikamet with tourist intentions.

Changes in legislation regarding residence permits

In recent years, changes have been made regarding the acquisition of both types of residence permits. There are two main types of permits:

• Typical tourist permit
• A residence permit that opens up the possibility for naturalization.

The main difference is that in the second option, a person can apply for citizenship while residing in Turkey on a permanent basis. This is not related to investments, but implies long-term stay in the country.

The popularity of naturalization

However, this method of obtaining citizenship is not very popular among foreigners. To a greater extent, newcomers seek the right to indefinite residence in Turkey, which is easily achieved through a regular tourist residence permit. Moreover, the requirements for naturalized citizens set by the Turkish authorities are quite strict:

• The necessity of taking a language exam
• Possible requirement to renounce previous citizenship

Although Turkey formally allows dual citizenship, very few are willing to take such a risk, as the serious conditions for obtaining a passport through naturalization raise concerns among potential applicants.

New property requirements since May 2022

Since May 5, 2022, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit with options for naturalization for foreigners purchasing real estate has become stricter. Now, applicants must ensure that the value of the property they are acquiring is at least $75,000 in major cities in Turkey, while for smaller towns, the minimum price is $50,000. Previously, there were no such requirements regarding the minimum value of the property.

In the list of regions where real estate prices are expected to be $75,000 and above, there are currently 30 major cities, and a total of 51 populated areas with the lowest prices have been identified. These changes highlight Turkey's growing interest in regulating the processes related to obtaining residence permits and citizenship through real estate purchases.

Conclusion

This directly affects the opportunities for foreign citizens looking to start a new life in this country. It is crucial to carefully study all the conditions and requirements to avoid potential issues when processing the necessary documents.

Municipalities of Turkey's capital

Turkey is home to many metropolitan municipalities, such as Adana, Aydın, Ankara, Antalya, Balıkesir, Bursa, Van, Gaziantep, Denizli, Diyarbakır, İzmir, Kayseri, Kahramanmaraş, Kocaeli, Konya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Muğla, Ordu, Sakarya, Samsun, Istanbul, Tekirdağ, Trabzon, Hatay, and Şanlıurfa. Each of these regions has its own unique features and attractive aspects for potential real estate buyers.

Popular neighborhoods

For example, the municipality of Antalya is famous for such well-known districts as Alanya, Kemer, and Konyaaltı, which attract a significant number of foreigners looking to invest in real estate.

Mugla Resorts

Among others, the province of Muğla stands out with its popular resorts, including Marmaris, Bodrum, and Fethiye. These places attract a lot of foreign clients looking to invest in real estate, thanks to their picturesque beaches and well-developed infrastructure.

Housing prices

It is also worth noting that the city of Mersin has become more prominent in the affordable housing market, where it is still possible to find apartments on the coast for around50 thousand US dollarsHowever, it should be noted that such objects were recently removed from the list that allows for the issuance of temporary residence permits.

Minimum price thresholds

As for the other regions not included in the specified list, a new minimum price threshold has been set at50 thousand US dollarsThis has a significant impact on the real estate market as a whole. For clients wishing to apply for a temporary residence permit, it will be necessary to provide documents confirming the value of the real estate.

Recommendations for purchasing

If you are planning to purchase an apartment or house in Turkey and want to obtain a temporary residence permit based on this purchase, it is advisable to have the property appraised by a certified expert in advance, before finalizing the deal.

Options for obtaining residency in Turkey

In recent years, the opportunities for obtaining a residence permit (RP) for those who own inexpensive real estate in Turkey have looked quite appealing. It is particularly worth noting that people who have property worth up to...75 thousand dollars(or50 thousand dollarsfor small towns), they can apply for a special tourist residence permit, which is valid fortwo years.

The main aspect is that the time spent in Turkey with this type of residence permit will not be counted towards the total duration required for naturalization, which is aboutfive yearsAfter this period, as well as after successfully passing the Turkish language exam, the owners have the right to apply for citizenship.

Advantages of a tourist residence permit

Nevertheless, a tourist residence permit offers certain advantages:

• Allows you to stay in Turkey year-round;
• Unimpeded movement across borders;
• Opening bank accounts;
• Enrollment of children in childcare facilities;
• Acquisition of SIM cards with minimal rates;
• Loan processing;
• Using various government services.

It is important to note that employment activities under this type of residence permit for "tourists" are not allowed, and the residence permit obtained based on property ownership does not grant the right to work.

The "Citizenship by Investment" program

Turkey continues to implement the program.“citizenship by investment”This program allows participants to quickly obtain a second passport, bypassing traditional naturalization procedures. It offers several options, including the purchase of real estate.

Currently, the minimum amount for investments is250 thousand dollarsHowever, in April of this year, plans were announced to increase it to400 thousand dollarsthat was officially approved by the President of Turkey in May. These changes will come into effect fromJune 13.

Conditions for tenants

As for obtaining a residence permit for tenants, withFeb. 10This year's new tourist ikamet is now issued only for a period ofsix monthsPreviously, tenants could obtain a residence permit for a full year. After the six-month period ends, it is possible to extend the residence permit, but this will require a resubmission of documents.

It should be noted that the lease agreement required for obtaining a residence permit must be notarized. Not all landlords are willing to go through this procedure, so if your goal is to obtain a residence permit, it's worth clarifying this point in advance.

In addition to this, a bank statement has been added to the list of mandatory documents for obtaining a residence permit, which confirms the applicant's financial stability for living in the country.

Financial requirements for residence permit

At the beginning2022To obtain a residence permit, it was necessary to demonstrate the availability of...6,500 Turkish liraper month (this is approximately420 dollars), which is almost one and a half times higher than the minimum wage in the country (4.3 thousand liraFor each family member who will be living with the main applicant, confirmation of their presence is required.4.3 thousand Turkish lira.

Conclusion

Obtaining a residence permit in Turkey is becoming increasingly relevant for foreigners seeking not only temporary living in this beautiful country but also the opportunity to naturalize. While working on this article, I realized more deeply how important the changes in legislation regarding the rules for obtaining residence permits and naturalization are. Now that foreigners have the option to choose between a short-term residence permit based on rental housing and investing in real estate, it is important to consider the new price thresholds established since May 5, 2022.

The process of obtaining a residence permit through real estate purchase has become stricter, which may affect the decisions of many potential investors. On one hand, the new price requirements may deter some interested buyers, but on the other hand, they could contribute to improving the quality and stability of the real estate market in Turkey.

New trends in choosing residency permits

I noticed that many newly arrived foreigners opt for a short-term residence permit, relying on the simplicity of obtaining it and the lack of strict requirements related to naturalization. However, in the long run, those who truly intend to settle in Turkey and become full citizens will need to prepare for language exams and other conditions for obtaining citizenship.

Key findings:

• Interest in Turkeyhow the place of residence continues to grow.
• It's important to understand.in the context of obtaining a residence permit and naturalization.
• Thoughtful decisionsCareful planning will help ensure a comfortable living experience.

Thus, against the backdrop of all the changes and demands, it is worth noting that interest in Turkey as a place of residence continues to grow. This country, with its rich history, cultural diversity, and favorable climate, still attracts people from all over the world.

Before making a decision about purchasing real estate and obtaining residency, it's important to thoroughly understand the conditions and requirements. I hope the information presented in this article will help many make the right choice and simplify the understanding of the current market situation. Thoughtful decision-making and careful planning will contribute to a successful integration into Turkish society and ensure a comfortable living experience in this amazing country.