Moving to Turkey in 2026

Moving to Turkey: entry, first 30 days, 3-month budget

1. First days. A tax number from the tax office or online: without it you cannot sign a lease, buy a SIM card or open a bank account.
2. Weeks 1-2. A one-year lease: check in advance that the district is open for foreigners' registration, as some districts of big cities are closed because of a cap.
3. Weeks 2-3. Health insurance and an online short-term residence application on the migration service portal, then a visit to the office with documents.
4. Before day 60. Apply while your visa-free period is still valid; you can then stay in the country until the decision.

The budget is lower in Antalya and Ankara. A foreign phone works only for a limited time without registration, and registration is paid and expensive, so many people buy a phone locally. We calculate the family budget in the chat. Lira converted at the rate on 6 October 2026, about 49.2 lira to the dollar.

Turkey in brief

Turkey sits where Europe meets Asia, with about 86 million people; the capital is Ankara, and the largest city and business centre is Istanbul. It has a large domestic market, developed industry and tourism, warm Mediterranean and Aegean coasts, and direct flights to almost every country. The national currency, the lira, is falling fast: about 49 lira per dollar on 05.10.2026, and inflation remains high.

Turkey is one of the most accessible countries to move to: many nationalities need no visa, residence is granted for renting or buying a home, and citizenship can be obtained through investment within months.

How to move in 2026

Entry rules depend on your passport, and living there requires residence, and in some districts of large cities foreigner registration is closed because of a cap on their share of residents.

Rules for specific nationalities

For citizens of Russia Turkey is one of the most accessible countries to move to: they need no visa for up to 60 days per trip and no more than 90 days in 180. There are direct flights between Turkey and Russia, and Turkish banks check payments with Russia closely, so these payments take longer.

Permanent residence and citizenship

Long-term residence is granted after 8 years of continuous residence. Naturalisation takes 5 years of living in the country, but most foreigners use the investment programme: the passport is issued in 6-8 months, the family receives it with the investor, and dual citizenship is allowed.

Taxes

You become tax resident after 6 months in the country in a year. See Turkey taxes.

Property

Foreigners can buy flats and houses almost anywhere except military zones. Buyers pay a title registration fee of 4% of the price, split with the seller unless agreed otherwise. Residence requires a purchase from $200,000, citizenship from $400,000 with a valuation and a 3-year sale ban. The most popular places for foreigners are Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya and Mersin.

Business and accounts

A foreign-owned company is registered in a few days with a tax number and a local accountant. A bank account is opened with a tax number and residence, but banks check nationality and source of funds carefully. We help with company registration and personal accounts.

Cost of living

Lira prices rise every month, so leases are often indexed annually, and food and services get more expensive faster than in Europe.

Practicalities

• first get a tax number: without it you cannot rent, open an account or get a phone line;
• a phone brought from abroad must be registered, otherwise it is blocked after a few months;
• your address is registered with the local administration, and it determines whether you can apply for residence;
• the residence form is filled in online, then you attend the migration office on the set date.

Family: schools and healthcare

Public schools are free and teach in Turkish; foreigners more often choose private schools with strong English or international schools, $5,000-25,000 a year depending on the city. Private hospitals are modern and inexpensive by European standards, and many doctors speak English. Residence requires health insurance, and after a year in the country you can join public insurance.

Where to live

Istanbul is chosen for work, business and an international scene, Antalya and Alanya for the sea and a calm pace, Ankara for low prices, schools and universities, and Izmir for a mild climate and European feel. See the city guides for Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya and Izmir.

Pros and cons of moving

Pros: visa-free entry, a clear first status through a lease, a warm sea, direct flights to almost every country, a fast passport through property with dual citizenship, and a tax break on foreign income for new residents. Cons: lira inflation and yearly rent rises, districts closed to foreigners' registration, frequent refusals to renew short-term residence, Turkish in offices and hospitals, and costly registration of a foreign phone.

Who Turkey suits

Families and remote workers who need simple residence, the sea and direct flights; investors wanting a fast second passport; entrepreneurs working with Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Turkey suits less those who want stable prices and a strong currency, or who expect a passport with visa-free Schengen access: Turkish citizens travel to Europe on visas.

Moving to other countries

We have the same moving guides for other countries: Georgia, Armenia, Serbia, the UAE, Montenegro, Israel, Thailand. All destinations are compared by budget and main route to residence in our overview where to move in 2026.

For this country: Turkish residence, Turkish citizenship, taxes in Turkey, Istanbul guide, property in Turkey.