Quick Answer
What are the essential official government websites for expats in Turkey?
e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr) for general services, e-İkamet (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr) for residence permits, GİB (gib.gov.tr) for tax numbers, TKGM (tkgm.gov.tr) for property records, and SGK (sgk.gov.tr) for health insurance. All end in .gov.tr — anything charging a fee for these services and using a different domain is a paid intermediary, not the official source.
This list is deliberately limited to official government and regulatory sources — not banks, insurers, real estate portals, or service providers. For commercial apps and platforms Turkish residents use daily, see our Best Apps for Expats in Turkey guide instead.
Residence Permits & Immigration
The official channels for applying, renewing, and getting help with your ikamet — everything else is a paid intermediary.
e-İkamet
The only official portal for residence permit applications, renewals, and appointment booking. Every ikamet application starts here.
Directorate General of Migration Management (English)
English-language information on residence permit types, requirements, and migration policy directly from the authority that issues them.
YİMER 157
Multi-language migration helpline (157) for residence permit and status questions when e-İkamet does not answer your question.
Our guides on this
Need hands-on help instead? Immigration Lawyers in Turkey — If your case is complicated (rejection, appeal, family permits), talk to a vetted immigration lawyer instead of guessing.
Visas & Entry
Visa rules change without much notice — always confirm against the official source before booking flights.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
Visa policy, consular services, and bilateral agreements from Turkey's foreign ministry.
Official e-Visa Portal
The only official source for e-Visa applications. Third-party "visa" sites that charge more are not affiliated with the government.
Our guides on this
e-Government & Identity
e-Devlet is the single login foreigners eventually need for almost every official interaction in Turkey.
Tax
Tax numbers, residency rules, and treaty texts — all published directly by the Revenue Administration.
Revenue Administration (GİB)
Turkey's main tax authority: tax residency rules, double-taxation treaties, and filing requirements.
Digital Tax Office
Apply for a tax number online — required before you can open a bank account or sign most contracts as a foreigner.
Our guides on this
Need hands-on help instead? Tax Advisors in Turkey — For anything beyond a basic filing — foreign income, treaty relief, or the 20-year exemption — a Turkey-based tax advisor is worth the fee.
Turkey Relocation Blueprint
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Banking & tax number setup
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Work & Business
Official registries for work permits, employment, and company formation.
İŞKUR
Turkey's public employment agency — job listings and the state unemployment/employment system.
Work Permit Application System
Official portal for filing and tracking work permit applications, used by employers sponsoring foreign staff.
MERSİS
Central company registry — verify any Turkish business is legitimately registered before signing a contract with it.
Property & Land Registry
Title deed and cadastre data comes from one place — everything else is a listings platform, not a legal record.
Our guides on this
Need hands-on help instead? Real Estate Agents in Turkey — For an actual purchase, work with a vetted local agent and an independent real estate lawyer, not the seller's contacts.
Healthcare
Public healthcare in Turkey runs through a handful of official systems — worth bookmarking even if you use private care.
Ministry of Health
National health policy, hospital lists, and public health announcements.
e-Nabız
Your personal health record system — prescriptions, test results, and vaccination history in one place.
MHRS
Book appointments at public hospitals and state clinics online, free for registered residents.
SGK
Social Security Institution — the body behind mandatory health insurance and social security registration.
Our guides on this
Need hands-on help instead? Expat Insurance in Turkey — Compare private health insurance built for foreigners if you want coverage beyond the public SGK system.
Central Bank & Financial Regulation
For rates and regulation, not account opening — see your own bank comparison guide for that.
Turkey Relocation Blueprint
Stop Googling for hours. Get the organised relocation plan.
30+ pages · 12 chapters · 6 checklists · 4 templates · Printable resources · Updated 2026
Emergency & Safety
Save these before you need them — not after.
Education
For enrolling children or verifying a university, these are the two authorities that matter.
Transport & Driving
Official rail, highway, and toll infrastructure — for taxi and ride-hailing apps, see our apps guide instead.
Legislation & Official Sources
When a rule matters — visa overstay penalties, tax law, property law — this is where to verify it, not a forum post.
Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete)
The publication of record for every new law, decree, and regulation in Turkey.
Legislation Information System
Searchable database of Turkish laws and regulations, including those governing foreigners and residence.
Our guides on this
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides for Expats in Turkey
Living in Turkey as an Expat
Complete beginner guide to expat life in Turkey
Moving to Turkey Checklist
Step-by-step checklist before and after arrival
Best Apps for Expats in Turkey
The commercial apps for transport, delivery, banking, and daily life
Turkey Residence Permit (Ikamet)
How to register your residence permit and legal residency