Moving to Turkey
Complete relocation guide
Moving Checklist
Before & after arrival
Relocation Timeline
Week-by-week what to expect
Cost of Living
Budgets across major cities
Healthcare in Turkey
Insurance, SGK, hospitals
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Netherlands to Turkey Guide 2026
Moving from the Netherlands
to Turkey: Complete Guide
Everything Dutch nationals need to know about relocating to Turkey — deregistration, DigiD, AOW, Belastingdienst, and obtaining your Turkish residence permit.
Before you leave the Netherlands
Your Dutch deregistration checklist.
Complete these steps before or on the date you leave to avoid complications with Dutch taxes and government services.
Deregister from Gemeente
Visit your municipality's Burgerzaken desk and submit a deregistration (uitschrijving) form. You'll be registered as 'emigrated'.
Cancel DigiD
Your DigiD remains valid abroad but access to Dutch government portals may be limited. Keep it active for Dutch tax filings.
Notify Belastingdienst
Inform the Dutch tax authority of your emigration date. You may need to file an M-form (migration tax form) for the year of departure.
Cancel BSN-linked services
Cancel your Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering), notify your pension provider, and update your Dutch bank account status.
Sort your AOW & pension
Notify the SVB about your emigration. Your AOW (state pension) can continue to be paid abroad. Private pensions vary by provider.
Arrange Turkey arrival
Apply for a Turkish residence permit within 90 days of arrival. Obtain Turkish health insurance before your appointment.
Pre-departure checklist
Full checklist for Dutch nationals.
Dutch nationals have specific administrative tasks when emigrating. Missing any of these can cause headaches with the Belastingdienst or SVB after you leave.
Turkish residence permit guideDutch administrative tasks
- Deregister at your gemeente (uitschrijving)
- Notify Belastingdienst of emigration date
- File the M-form in the emigration year
- Notify SVB about AOW/pension
- Cancel Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering)
- Update Dutch bank to non-resident status
- Export your DigiD to keep access
- Register Turkish address with Dutch pension body
- Obtain Turkish private health insurance
- Apply for Turkish residence permit within 90 days
Dutch-Turkish tax treaty
Tax questions for Dutch expats.
Does the Netherlands-Turkey tax treaty affect me?
Yes. The double tax treaty (updated 2022) generally means you pay tax in your country of residence. Once you're a Turkish tax resident, most Dutch-sourced income is not taxed in the Netherlands.
Do I still owe Dutch taxes after leaving?
You file a final Dutch tax return (M-form) for the year you emigrate. After that, only Dutch-sourced income (like rental income from Dutch property) remains subject to Dutch tax.
What about my Dutch pension?
Dutch state pension (AOW) is taxed in Turkey once you're a Turkish resident under the treaty. Private pension rules depend on specific treaty articles — consult a cross-border tax advisor.
Should I keep my Dutch bank account?
Many Dutch banks allow non-residents to maintain accounts but with limitations. ING and ABN AMRO often terminate non-resident accounts after a period. Consider a Wise or Revolut account as a bridge.
Where Dutch expats live
Most popular cities for Dutch nationals.
Relocating from another country?