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Family & Permits
Family Residence Permit
Turkey (2026)
If you hold a valid Turkish residence permit or are a Turkish citizen, you can bring your spouse and dependent children to live in Turkey legally.
Quick Answer
A family residence permit (aile ikamet izni) allows the spouse and minor children of a Turkish citizen or legal resident foreigner to live in Turkey. It is issued for up to 3 years and is renewable. Applicants must be legally married — unmarried partners do not qualify.
Who Can Be a Sponsor?
A family residence permit can be sponsored by either:
- A Turkish citizen
- A foreigner who holds a valid Turkish residence or work permit and has been legally resident in Turkey for at least 1 year
Who Can Apply?
- The legally married spouse of the sponsor
- Dependent children under 18 of either the sponsor or the spouse
Unmarried partners, parents, and adult children do not typically qualify for family residence permits under this category. They would need to apply for their own residence permits through other channels.
Required Documents
- Completed online application via e-ikamet portal
- Valid passport of the applicant
- Marriage certificate (apostilled and translated into Turkish)
- Sponsor's Turkish ID or residence permit
- Proof of sufficient income (sponsor must earn at least the minimum wage per family member)
- Valid health insurance covering the applicant
- Rental contract or proof of accommodation in Turkey
- Criminal background check from applicant's home country
- Biometric passport photos
Income Requirement
The sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income to support the family. The minimum threshold is based on the Turkish minimum wage per family member. As of 2026, this translates to roughly €200–400 per person per month — a relatively modest bar for most Western expats.
Work Rights for Family Permit Holders
Holders of a family residence permit are generally not permitted to work in Turkey for the first 3 years. After 3 years of holding the permit, they may apply for a work permit separately. After 3 years on a family permit, they may also apply to convert to a short-term residence permit in their own right.