Residence Permit in Turkey by Purchasing Real Estate

Turkey is becoming the most popular education, business and tourism destination in the world. People all over the world love Turkey so much that they plan to stay longer, buy a property by the sea and have fun. More and more people from abroad are showing interest in residence permits.

After purchasing the property (for living in), you will be granted a short-term, extendable residency for one year. It is issued by the Directorate General of Migration Management. Foreigners who own property can allow their family members to live with accompanying persons.

What are the steps to get a residence permit by buying a property in Turkey?

When you buy property in Türkiye, you will receive a title deed. Afterwards, make an appointment with the General Directorate of Migration Management.
You will be invited to an interview at the immigration office, where you will submit the required documents.

Upon completion, you will pay the fee to obtain a residence permit.

Once your application has been approved, your residence card will be sent to you by post.

Which cities are included in Türkiye to buy property and obtain a residence permit?

Therefore, the list of 30 cities eligible to receive $75,000 is considered a "major city." they are:

• Adana
• Antalya
• Aydin
• Balikesir
• Bursa
• Denizli
• Diyarbakir
• Erzurum
• Eskisehir
• Gaziantep
• Hatay
• Istanbul
• Izmir
• Kahramanmaras
• Kayseri
• Kocaeli
• Konya
• Malatya
• Manisa
• Mardin
• Mersin
• Mugla
• Ordu
• Sakarya
• Samsun
• Sanliurfa
• Tekirdag
• Trabzon
• Van

If you intend to buy property in other cities and regions of Turkey such as Rize or Yalova, you will need to pay at least USD 50,000 to be eligible for the residence permit program.

Should the property have a fixed value to obtain a real estate residence in Turkey?

• Until now, you were also eligible for real estate residency if you applied for a residence permit by purchasing low-value property, signing a lease, staying in a hotel, or staying with relatives and friends. For example, if you recently bought a property in Ankara after 26 April 2022 and paid £26,000 for a one-bedroom apartment, you would be eligible to register under the Tourist Classification System despite the lower value of your property Check in.
• However, according to the latest announcement, foreigners who have completed their stay visas in Turkey must leave the country and no longer receive a residence permit for tourism. From February 10, 2022, the applications of foreigners who enter Turkey for the first time and apply for a Turkish tourist residence permit are rejected and illegal immigrants are immediately deported.
• According to the latest decision of the Turkish Immigration Management Presidium, the minimum value has been updated for foreigners who wish to obtain a short-term residence permit or a family residence permit by purchasing a property.
• Foreigners who buy real estate are granted a residence permit for up to two years.
• Revision after current decision:
• If you or your family want to obtain a residence permit from May 5, 2022, you must ensure that from now on the property you buy is worth at least:
• Minimum USD 75,000 if located in one of the 30 metropolitan areas of Turkey
• USD 50,000 minimum if located in one of the remaining smaller cities in Turkey.
• This means that from now on, foreigners must buy a house worth at least $75,000 in Istanbul or Izmir.
• If you purchase a property in Turkey worth USD 400,000, you are eligible for Turkish citizenship through the property investment program.

Benefits of obtaining a residence permit after buying property in Türkiye

People who buy property enjoy many privileges on Turkish land.

• Property Permit: This is almost like a tourist permit, but you can easily extend the permit if needed.
• Ownership License. The buyer is also entitled to a Turkish identity card. Property owners can live on Turkish land if the real estate value is at least USD 400,000, and the owner is also eligible for Turkish citizenship.
• If you own a property, you can open an account with a Turkish bank.
• Owners are also eligible to obtain a Turkish driving license through a simple procedure.

What documents are required to obtain residency by purchasing property in Türkiye?

• Passport: Passport valid for at least 6 months.
• Tax file number: Can be issued within minutes at no additional cost.
• Health Insurance: In Turkey, you can get health insurance for around TL 1000 per person per year. Might be more expensive for women.
• Copy of Passport: Copy of photo page and final entry page.
• 4 color photos
• Copies of TAPU as well as original documents.
• 1 month statement of $500
• Registration card worth TL 50
• Statement of the child's family translated and authenticated by the Turkish Embassy.

The Police Department will issue a completed extension request form.

A residence permit can also be obtained under the following conditions:

• Have a Turkish spouse or relative
• Work or study in Türkiye
• Minors studying in Türkiye
• Referral to Türkiye for medical treatment

Some frequently asked questions

How many years can a property owner in Turkey get a residence permit?

It can initially be granted for one year, after which it can be extended several times until ownership continues. Each extension may be granted for a maximum of two years.

Is it possible to obtain a residence permit based on owning land or commercial property?

According to the title, the residence permit can only be granted to foreigners who purchase real estate for residential use.

Can a foreigner obtain Turkish citizenship after 5 years of residence in Turkey with a residence permit?

Foreigners residing in Turkey with a five-year residence permit can apply for Turkish citizenship if they convert their residence permit into a work permit. Students who have completed their studies in Turkey and converted their residence permit to a work permit for study purposes are also eligible if they have lived in the country within the past five years. Foreigners who have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years can also apply for Turkish citizenship.

Can foreigners work in Türkiye after obtaining a residence permit?

A residence permit does not entitle a foreigner to work in Türkiye. In order to work in the country, their respective employers must apply for a work permit on their behalf. For foreigners without a residence permit, an application must be submitted to the Turkish consulate in their home country.

Can foreign nationals with a residence permit in Turkey travel visa-free to countries that do not require visas for Turkish citizens?

No. A residence permit in Turkey does not grant foreigners the same rights as Turkish citizens.

Owning a property in Turkey not only grants a residence permit but also Turkish citizenship. If you are interested in a profitable investment, please contact Property Supervisor. Our 10 years of experience in serving foreigners will be of great use to you. With a commendable product portfolio and world-class service, we promise to continue to support you after the sale.