Relocation Guide
Documents Needed Before Moving to Turkey (2026)
Two phases: prepare these at home before you leave — then get these once you arrive. Do not wait until the last minute.
General · Ask the Turkey assistant
The #1 mistake people make
Leaving apostille preparation until the last minute. Criminal record checks + apostille can take 4–8 weeks in some countries. Start 3 months before your move date. You cannot substitute these with digital copies or later submissions.
Phase 1 — Home country
Documents you prepare before leaving home. Many require apostilling — allow weeks, not days.
Phase 2 — In Turkey
Documents you obtain after arrival. Tax number first — everything else follows from it.
What is an apostille?
An apostille is a certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Convention that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another Hague member country. Turkey is a member. It is attached to your document (birth certificate, criminal record check) by the designated authority in your country — this makes it legally valid in Turkey without further verification. An apostille is NOT the same as notarisation. Both UK and US documents can be apostilled — UK via the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO); US via the Secretary of State or US Department of State depending on the document type.
Phase 1 — Documents to Prepare at Home
Prepare all of these before you leave your home country. Items marked "Yes" for apostille must be apostilled — a plain copy is not sufficient.
Passport
Why needed
Required for everything — visa on arrival, ikamet, bank account, tax number
How to get it
Renew via home country passport agency. Allow 3–8 weeks.
Notes
Must be valid for at least 12 months beyond intended stay. Have at least 4 blank pages.
Birth Certificate
Why needed
Required for ikamet residence permit application
How to get it
Order from national registry or equivalent (GRO in UK, county clerk in US)
Notes
Must be the full version, not a short-form extract. Apostille via national competent authority.
Marriage Certificate
Why needed
Required if applying for permits as a family unit or if spouse is joining later
How to get it
Order from same registry as birth certificate
Notes
Only required if married. Bring original plus apostille.
Criminal Background Check
Why needed
Some provinces require for ikamet; always worth having ready
How to get it
UK: ACRO Criminal Records Office (acro.police.uk) — a standard DBS check is not accepted for overseas/immigration use. US: FBI Identity History Summary. Germany: Führungszeugnis via the Bundesamt für Justiz. Netherlands: Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag (VOG) via Justis.
Notes
Must be dated within 6 months of application. Allow 3–6 weeks in most countries (UK ACRO), though the FBI check can take 3–4 months and the Dutch VOG 4–8 weeks — start this document first.
Bank Statements (6 months)
Why needed
Proof of sufficient funds for residence permit — typically €500/month minimum
How to get it
Request official printed statements from your bank on bank letterhead
Notes
Print on bank-headed paper with bank stamp if possible. Electronic statements may not be accepted.
Proof of Income / Pension Letter
Why needed
Confirms sustainable income for residence permit based on financial means
How to get it
Request formal confirmation letter from employer, pension provider or accountant
Notes
Should state monthly income in EUR equivalent. Have it officially translated if not in English/Turkish.
Degree / Qualification Certificates
Why needed
Required if applying for a work permit; useful evidence of professional background
How to get it
Request certified copies from university or professional body
Notes
Only essential for work permit applications. Not required for simple residence permits.
Medical Records Summary
Why needed
Useful for registering with Turkish doctors; essential for chronic conditions
How to get it
Request summary from your GP. Include vaccination records.
Notes
Not officially required but highly practical. Include any medication prescriptions (get Turkish equivalents before leaving).
Driving Licence
Why needed
Required for driving in Turkey; must generally be converted to a Turkish licence within about 6 months of your ikamet being issued
How to get it
Renew before moving if close to expiry
Notes
Also get an International Driving Permit (IDP) — obtainable from motoring organisations in most countries. Conversion requires a certified Turkish translation of your licence, done locally by a sworn translator.
Vehicle Insurance (if shipping car)
Why needed
Required for vehicle import and driving in Turkey
How to get it
Contact your home insurer about international cover or Turkish policy
Notes
Turkish third-party insurance (trafik sigortası) is mandatory. Arrange before the car arrives.
Phase 2 — Documents You Get in Turkey
Vergi numarası (Tax number)
Week 1 of arrival
Notarised rental contract
Before ikamet appointment
Address registration (adres tescil)
Week 1–2
Turkish health insurance
Before ikamet appointment
Bank account confirmation
Week 2
Power of attorney (vekaletname)
Before or shortly after arrival
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Translations
Documents in a language other than Turkish must be officially translated by a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman). This is different from simply using Google Translate.
Who can translate
Only sworn translators (yeminli tercüman) authorised by a Turkish notary. Find them through the Turkish Bar Association or local notary offices. Costs €20–60 per document page.
What needs translation
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, criminal record checks, income proof letters, medical records — any document in a non-Turkish language submitted for official purposes.
What does not
Bank statements in widely understood languages (English, German, French) are sometimes accepted without translation at the discretion of the immigration officer. Always bring translated versions as backup.
If You're Buying Property
Buying rather than renting adds a few documents on top of everything above.
Tax number (vergi numarası)
Required before the property purchase can be registered — get this in your first days in Turkey.
Valuation report (ekspertiz raporu)
Since June 2024, this SPK-authorised appraisal report is no longer mandatory for a standard property purchase, but it is still required when the purchase is tied to a residence permit or Turkish citizenship-by-investment application.
DASK compulsory earthquake insurance
Must be in place before the title deed (tapu) transfer completes — arranged through any insurance company.
Bank transfer evidence (SWIFT)
A record of the international transfer proving the purchase funds came from abroad, required for most nationalities.
Power of attorney (vekaletname)
Needed if you cannot attend the title deed transfer in person — prepare it at a Turkish notary with a sworn translator present, or at a Turkish consulate in your home country.
Country-Specific Document Requirements
- UK is no longer in the EU — apostille system still applies (UK is Hague Convention member)
- DBS check for criminal record (Enhanced DBS takes 2–6 weeks)
- No longer use EHIC/GHIC in Turkey — need private insurance
- HMRC registration for non-residency if leaving UK tax system
- DVLA licence valid for driving in Turkey; get IDP as well
- US is a Hague Convention member — apostille via Secretary of State (state level) or US Dept of State (federal)
- FBI Identity History Summary for criminal background check (allow 3 months)
- Social Security Administration letter for income proof if retired
- IRS form 8854 if renouncing citizenship (different situation)
- US driving licence + IDP valid initially; convert to Turkish licence if staying long-term
- EU citizens still need Turkish residence permit (ikamet) for stays over 90 days
- Apostille process applies within the Hague Convention
- Deregister from home country if leaving EU health system (e.g. BSN in Netherlands)
- Some EU criminal background checks accepted with apostille only, not translation
- EU driving licence convertible to Turkish licence — process slightly simpler than non-EU
Turkey Relocation Blueprint
Planning a move to Turkey? Get the complete step-by-step blueprint.
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Keeping Documents Safe
Waterproof physical folder
Keep originals + apostilles in a waterproof folder stored at home. Do not carry originals unnecessarily — carry certified copies.
Encrypted cloud storage
Scan every page in colour and upload to Google Drive or similar with strong 2FA. Encrypt sensitive files.
Email backup
Email a PDF bundle of all scans to yourself. Accessible from any device anywhere in an emergency.
Power of attorney at home
Give a trusted person at home a limited power of attorney to request replacement documents on your behalf if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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