If you have ever thought about moving to sunny, warm Turkey, this article will definitely be useful to you!
We often hear various stories from our clients about their decision to move to Turkey and how they made that decision – and almost always they regret only one thing: that they didn’t take this step earlier, were afraid (as they were not well-informed), and postponed the move to the "long term."
Now we want to help you make your decision and share information that, we hope, will be useful to you!
Let's discuss what you need to consider before moving to Turkey for permanent residence:
1. Getting to know the country:
- Evaluate the nature and climate, and how well it suits all family members.
- Rent an apartment/house in the city you are considering.
- See if the locals are friendly (and in Turkey, people are very kind and always ready to help with any questions, and they are welcoming to foreigners).
- Spend a few weeks here throughout the year, at different times of the year (summer, winter).
3. Education for children in Turkey:
- Familiarize yourself with the city where you plan to live in advance.
- Determine where your children will go to school.
- Find out which schools and kindergartens are located in the area.
- Check the educational conditions and specializations offered by various universities in the area where you plan to live.
4. Work and business in Turkey:
- Plan in advance how you will generate income. Many people work remotely while living abroad.
- Some move to Turkey after retiring.
- Others simply find their desired occupation while already in Turkey.
5. Healthcare in Turkey:
Turkish healthcare is among the best in Europe. Few would argue that health is the most valuable asset a person has. This is why the Turkish authorities believe that caring for the health of citizens should be an absolute priority of state policy. You need to know:
- Which facilities will be near your planned place of residence and that you will need to arrange health insurance for the entire family.
- It's important to know how much it will cost and what it covers.
6. Residence Permit in Turkey:
If you wish to live in Turkey for more than the permitted visa-free period (which varies by country), you have the option to apply for a residence permit (Ikamet).
So, let's focus on the last point and discuss what you need to know. First, you need to determine the basis for your stay in Turkey. These can be:
- Property purchase in Turkey (you apply for a residence permit as a property owner).
- Tourism (application is based on a notarized rental agreement).
- Family (marriage to a Turkish citizen).
- Student, etc.
Next, understand which documents you will need. Specifically:
- Tax Identification Number (issued by the tax office).
- 4 photos on a white background.
- Health insurance, valid for at least 1 year.
- Copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of the residence permit) and a notarized translation into Turkish.
- Copy of the Title Deed (Tapu) or a copy of the rental agreement.
Having all the necessary documents, you will need to complete an online application on the website https://e-ikamet.doc.gov.tr/. The system will then provide available dates and times for an interview. If the application is approved, you will receive a temporary document confirming the issuance of your residence permit at the interview (appointment). If additional documents are required, you will need to provide them within the specified timeframe.
We hope that our post will be helpful to you and bring you closer to your goal. And finally, I would like to quote a French writer:
To discover new horizons, one must have the courage to lose sight of the old shores.
André Gide
