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
From the UK
From Germany
From the Netherlands
From Belgium
From France
From Sweden
From Norway
From Switzerland
From Austria
From the USA
From Canada
From Australia
From the UAE
Residence Permits
Short-Term Residence
Permit Turkey (2026)
Turkey's most popular permit type for expats, retirees, and digital nomads. No job required, no Turkish sponsor needed — just proof of address, health insurance, and funds.
Quick Answer
The short-term residence permit is Turkey's standard permit for expats who want to live in Turkey without working for a Turkish employer. It requires an address, health insurance, and proof of funds (roughly €500/month). Valid 1–2 years, renewable indefinitely.
Visa & Legal Status Cluster
What Is the Short-Term Residence Permit?
The kısa dönem ikamet izni (short-term residence permit) is Turkey's primary residence permit for foreign nationals who want to live in the country without formal employment. It is issued under Turkey's Foreigners and International Protection Law (YUKK) and managed by the Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM).
Unlike work permits or student permits, the short-term permit has no single qualifying reason — you simply need to demonstrate you have a legal address, adequate financial means, and valid health insurance. This makes it accessible to a wide range of people: retirees, remote workers, property owners, lifestyle movers, language learners, and those accompanying spouses.
It is the natural next step after arriving on a tourist visa. See our guide on transitioning from tourist status to residency for the full process.
Eligibility at a Glance
Who typically qualifies
- ✓EU citizens, UK nationals, US citizens, Canadians, Australians, most Europeans
- ✓Property owners in Turkey
- ✓Retirees with pension income
- ✓Remote workers employed by non-Turkish companies
- ✓Language students at Turkish schools
- ✓Those accompanying family members already resident
Who may face complications
- !Nationalities on restricted lists (varies by Ministry policy)
- !Those with prior Turkish deportation records
- !Applicants with criminal histories (checked during process)
- !Those who have overstayed previous Turkish visas
- !Applicants who cannot demonstrate financial sufficiency
- !Nationalities with complex diplomatic relations with Turkey
Required Documents
Completed and signed application form from e-ikamet portal
Must be printed and signed in black ink
Original passport + colour copies of all pages
Including the photo page and all entry/exit stamps
4 biometric passport photos
White background, taken within 6 months
Notarised rental contract (noter onaylı kira sözleşmesi)
Notarisation costs approx. 500–800 TL at a notary office
Turkish tax number (vergi numarası)
Free — obtained in 30 minutes at local vergi dairesi with your passport
Health insurance policy valid in Turkey
Must cover the full requested permit duration; private or SGK accepted
Bank statements or proof of income
Approx. €500/month minimum; 3–6 months of statements typically sufficient
Residence permit card fee (ikamet kartı ücreti)
Paid online or at PTT before appointment; amount depends on nationality
Property title deed (tapu senedi)
Replaces rental contract if staying in own property
Costs Breakdown
| Cost Item | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ikamet card fee (per year) | €50–120 depending on nationality | Check current fee on e-ikamet portal |
| Application/document fee | €30–60 | Separate from card fee |
| Notary for rental contract | 500–1,000 TL (approx. €15–30) | One-time for new contract |
| Health insurance (per year) | €500–1,200 | Basic private policy; varies by age/insurer |
| Tax number | Free | Obtained at vergi dairesi in 30 min |
| Passport photos | €5–10 | Standard size, white background |
| Translation costs (if documents in foreign language) | €50–200 | Sworn translation required for some documents |
| Total first-year estimate | €700–1,700 | Depending on nationality and health insurance choice |
For a personalised cost estimate, use our Residence Permit Cost Calculator.
Processing Timeline
| Stage | Istanbul | Antalya / Izmir | Smaller Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appointment booking wait | 4–8 weeks | 2–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Appointment to card dispatch | 4–8 weeks | 3–6 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
| Total end-to-end | 8–16 weeks | 5–10 weeks | 4–7 weeks |
For the most current processing times, see our dedicated article: How Long Does Ikamet Take?
The Progression Path: Short-Term to Long-Term
The short-term permit is not a dead end — it is the first step on a pathway to permanent residency in Turkey.
Tourist visa
Up to 90 days
Short-term ikamet
1–2 years, renewable
Renewed short-term
Years 2–8
Long-term ikamet
After 8 years continuous
Citizenship (optional)
After 5 years
What Rights Does a Short-Term Permit Give You?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a short-term residence permit in Turkey?
The short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet izni) is Turkey's primary permit for foreign nationals who want to live in Turkey for non-employment reasons. It covers lifestyle relocation, property ownership, remote work, language study, and retirement. It is issued for 1–2 years and is renewable.
Who qualifies for a short-term residence permit?
Most nationalities qualify. You do not need a job offer, a Turkish sponsor, or any specific reason beyond wanting to live in Turkey. The main requirements are: a valid passport, proof of Turkish address (notarised rental contract or property deed), health insurance, and proof of sufficient funds (approximately €500/month).
How long is a short-term residence permit valid?
Typically 1–2 years, depending on the duration of your rental contract, health insurance validity, and the immigration officer's discretion. Some cities (particularly smaller ones) grant 2-year permits more readily than Istanbul, which often issues 1-year permits initially.
Can I work in Turkey with a short-term residence permit?
No. A short-term residence permit does not authorise employment in Turkey. If you want to work for a Turkish employer, you need a separate work permit issued through the Ministry of Labour. Remote work for non-Turkish companies is common but exists in a legal grey area.
How much does a short-term residence permit cost?
Costs include the ikamet card fee (which varies by nationality and permit duration — typically €50–120) and a document application fee. These fees change annually and are listed on the official e-ikamet portal. Health insurance is an additional cost: typically €40–90/month for a basic policy.
How long does it take to get a short-term residence permit?
From booking your appointment to receiving your card: 8–16 weeks. Appointment availability: 1–8 weeks depending on city (Istanbul is slowest). Card production after appointment: 4–8 weeks. Plan accordingly and start the process at least 60 days before your tourist stay expires.
Can my short-term permit be rejected?
Yes. Common reasons for rejection include: insufficient funds, invalid or short-duration health insurance, address issues (fake or unregistered address), prior immigration violations, or insufficient documentation. If rejected, you can appeal or apply again with corrected documents.
Can I leave Turkey while holding a short-term residence permit?
Yes, freely. A residence permit allows multiple re-entries. There is no restriction on travel outside Turkey. However, extended absences (generally over 180 days per year) may affect your eligibility for renewal or progression to a long-term permit.
How do I renew a short-term residence permit?
Apply for renewal at least 60 days before expiry through the e-ikamet portal. The renewal process is the same as the initial application. As long as your circumstances have not changed significantly and your documents are in order, renewal is generally straightforward.
Can I upgrade from a short-term permit to a long-term permit?
After 8 years of continuous legal residence (including time on short-term permits), you are eligible to apply for a long-term residence permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni), which is indefinite and does not need renewal. Each year must be documented with valid permit coverage.