Foreigners who intend to extend their stay in Turkey beyond the time limit prescribed in their visa, those who need a visa exemption or intend to stay for more than ninety days must obtain a residence permit.
To apply for a short-term residence permit, foreigners who own real estate in Turkey or intend to establish a business or business connections in Turkey must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Immigration Administration (Göç İdaresi) once an application is submitted through the e-residence system. Short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of two years as a principle. A residence permit is invalidated if it is not used within six months.
Residence permit application form
The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
Four biometric photographs
Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay
Applicant’s residence ownership deed*
An invitation letter or documents issued by the person/business to be contacted**
Valid medical insurance (one of the following shall be sufficient):
Proof of access to health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements(If under 65 years old)
Provision document issued by the Social Security Institution
Document regarding the application made to the Social Security Institution to be covered by the general health insurance
Private health insurance
To apply for a short-term residence permit, foreigners who own real estate in Turkey or intend to establish a business or business connections in Turkey must submit the following documents to the relevant Provincial Directorate of Immigration Administration (Göç İdaresi) once an application is submitted through the e-residence system. Short-term residence permits are issued for a maximum of two years as a principle. A residence permit is invalidated if it is not used within six months.
Residence permit application form
The original and a copy of the passport or travel document
Copy of the previous residence permit document
Four biometric photographs
Proof that the applicant has not received any social aid from governmental institutions and organizations in the last three years
Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay
Police record document
Valid medical insurance (one of the following shall be sufficient):
Proof of access to health services in Turkey within the scope of bilateral social security agreements
Provision document issued by the Social Security Institution
Document regarding the application made to the Social Security Institution to be covered by the general health insurance
Private health insurance is valid for a minimum of one year
Long-term residence permits are issued indefinitely. Therefore, no extension application is required
According to the Turkish laws and regulations in force, transfer of ownership of a property is only possible at the Land Registry Directorates (TAPU DAIRESI). A Title deed in Turkey is called a Tapu. Each deed includes information such as the owner's name and property details.
There are two types of deeds in Turkey; one is the land deed and the other is the proper title deed which you can obtain once you have your habitation certificate. The blue clour is for land and the title deed (tapu) is for residential property.
To be legal, a title deed in Turkey must be sealed with a stamp, at the bottom right of the document. Photos, although not compulsory feature on the top right-hand side.
Note: More than one person can own the same property. In this case, the respective shares are to be shown in the tapu.
Vision estate agency can help you obtain your tapu within 3 days.
The habitation license is one of the most important documents when you buy a property in Turkey. It proves that the builder has completed the building according to the construction plans and he has fulfilled all the required legal and safety procedures. Obtaining the habitation certificate is very complicated and time-consuming, therefore prospective buyers should always consider possible challenges before buying a property without a habitation certificate. Habitation certificates are issued by local municipalities and it is the builder's responsibility to obtain them, and present it to you before you purchase.
When you have chosen a property we will make an application to obtain a valuation report. This will take two days to get. The report will show the market value of the property, and compare it to the other properties in the area. This report will protect your investment and you will know the local property market.
If you wish to purchase a property with a mortgage in Turkey, we can advise you on choosing the best lender for your requirements, and take you through the whole process. We will:
Explore and discuss with you the Turkish Banks offering mortgages to foreign nationals, looking at the proportion of loan and interest rates (foreign currencies between 5% - 7%). You can obtain a loan of up to 50% of the property value, this is calculated using Usd or Euro.
Discuss with you the ‘preliminary approval’ roughly 3 days after the application. Redemption dates vary between 24 and 60 months.
Organise the bank’s appraiser, who will write an appraisal report, to visit the property.
Help you obtain all the documentation necessary before applying for the mortgage.
Prepare the paperwork in accordance with the application process.
Organise the payment of the appraisal report fee.
Oversee the title deed conveyance process.
Discuss with you the final approval documentation.
Notarised translation of your passport
Proof of address in Turkey eg residence permit, ID card or water, electricity, gas, internet utility bill
Bank statement showing your account activities in the last 3 months
Tax ID number
Proof of monthly income
Title Deed of the property you wish to purchase.
Generally, mortgage applications are not accepted on properties being constructed, but some banks may give a mortgage after 90% of the construction is completed
Sometimes buyers or sellers are unable to travel when buying or selling a property. In that case, in Turkey, a third party is appointed as Power of Attorney. This can be for just buying or selling, it can be limited to set dates, for example, a month or a year. This will give the appointed person power to act on their behalf.
One of the main things people factor into their decision to move to Turkey is the cost of living. Turkey can fit all tastes of life and can be as cheap, or as expensive, as you want it to be, depending on circumstances, personal taste, and lifestyles.
Are a lot lower
However, there is a huge difference in prices, from region to region, just like in most countries in the world. Cities are the most expensive places to live, by far the busiest and most popular touristic city Istanbul, is also the most expensive. The hustle and bustle of business, shopping, finance and tourism also have many effects on costs, such as higher property prices and rentals. Day-to-day expenses, food shopping, eating out and transport, mean a family can live on around 5000 lire a month, before rent. The Aegean coast is by far the most beautiful, and for many Turks and foreigners, the main choice as a holiday destination. In Marmaris, Bodrum, Kusadasi, Fethiye and Didim, the prices are a lot lower. The general cost of living for a family is around 3000 lira before rent. This has made these areas a hot spot for many ex pats and foreign investors.
The minimum wage in Turkey has risen a lot in the past few years, with its most recent jump from 1780 to 2300 lira, with the employer paying all retirement and health costs, known as SGK. A single person with this income, after having to pay rent, would have a very basic life indeed. The current exchange rate is making Turkey a very interesting place for people to retire. Many who have retired, and receive monthly pensions from their county, find that the excellent exchange rates have meant that their Euros, Pound or Dollars now equate to much more lira than before. The bank interest rates on saving accounts are a fantastic way to have your money work for you. If you put some of your hard-earned lire into a Turkish bank account, banks are currently offering around 20% interest rates with monthly or 3 monthly payouts. Many expats use this as their “Pay Day” Let’s look at general monthly costs. Household bills.
This normally comes as a shock for many, as owning a house in Turkey does not come with the endless fixed bills that we see in many countries. No Tv licenses no huge monthly council taxes.
Medical services in Turkey are controlled by the Ministry of Health. You must hold a residency permit to live in Turkey if you want to stay longer than 90 days within 180 days. You must also have health insurance if you are under 65. Many people choose the government-run SGK healthcare scheme. This would mean a married couple would need to put aside around 7000 lire a year.
Private, public and university hospitals, especially in Istanbul and Ankara, are equipped with the highest technology in the world. Approximately 700,000 foreign patients come to Turkey for treatment every year.
Turkey’s social security system, The General Health Insurance (GSS), offers free of charge, health services to all its citizens
The services under this system are:
Examination Fees
Medicine Expenses
Surgeries And Organ Transplants
Diagnostic Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology Examination, Radiological Examination And Imaging Performed During Inpatient Treatment
Physical Therapy And Rehabilitation After Surgery
Long-term Treatments Such As Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Dialysis, Etc
Home Care Services For Chronic Patients, Disabled People And Elderly People
Turkey’s healthcare system has come to the fore across the world for the following reasons:
Accessibility For 1.5 Billion People From 3 Different Continents Within A Four-Hour Flight Distance
Temperate Climate
The Rise In The Number Of Specialized Physicians
The Modernization Of Medical Education And Level Of Expertise In New Areas Of Medicine
Number Of Specialist Physicians In Different Fields
Treatments/operations Are More Affordable When Compared To Most European Countries Due To The Low General Living Costs
Standard Medicines Are More Affordable
High Technological Equipment
All Hospitals In Turkey Serve According To National Accreditation Criteria And are Audited Twice A Year.
All Transactions And Obligations Related To Health Tourism Are Under The Responsibility Of The Ministry Of Health As Required By Law
All Doctors Must Have an Occupational Obligation Insurance
Interpreting Services
Short Waiting Times
Complementary And Alternative Medicine Opportunities
Private health insurance prices in Turkey are between 300 and 1,500 euros and are much cheaper than in many European countries.
Private hospitals have a high level of service and quality of care.
General Health Insurance covers certain private hospitals along with the right to benefit from all public hospitals and clinics.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the partial opening of Başakşehir City Hospital in Istanbul on April 20. The hospital will assist in Turkey’s fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. “Turkey, standing on its own feet, is demonstrating its power at a time when international organizations are losing their meaning, ” said Erdoğan at the opening ceremony. President Erdoğan also stated that Turkey will produce 5,000 ventilators by the end of May. “While the world is facing difficulties, Turkey has successfully overcome hurdles to producing medical ventilators,” Erdoğan emphasized. The hospital will be fully operational on May 20. Previously, President Erdoğan announced that two large capacity hospitals will be built in the Atatürk Airport area and Sancaktepe in Istanbul to fight against Covid-19. Each hospital will have approximately 1,000 beds. “We will finish the construction works in 45 days and put them into the service of our nation,” said President Erdoğan.