Entry and residence regulations for Türkiye: relocation made easy

Moving to Türkiye – the land between Orient and Occident, of millennia‑old history, warm hospitality and breathtaking scenic diversity – is an attractive goal for many Germans. With its dynamic economy, mild climate and high quality of life, Türkiye offers ideal conditions for a new start. As a leading moving company, KOCH Moving Logistics is by your side. Here you will find all the important information about entry and residence regulations in Türkiye, specifically for German citizens.

German citizens can enter Türkiye visa‑free for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180‑day period. A valid passport is required for entry; the identity card is not accepted. This applies to tourist trips, business trips, conference visits and family visits. The previous practice of applying for an e‑visa no longer applies to German citizens. Your passport must be valid for at least 150 days beyond the date of departure upon entry, and there must be sufficient blank pages for entry and exit stamps.

Upon entry, authorities may require proof of sufficient financial means. In 2026, the requirements are about 50 to 70 euros per person per day of stay, depending on the current exchange rate. A specific lower limit is not legally defined, but authorities expect that you can finance your stay without recourse to public funds. It is therefore recommended to have appropriate bank statements or credit cards ready. You should also be able to provide proof of travel health insurance for the duration of your short stay.

Unlike within the EU, German citizens do not have automatic freedom of movement in Türkiye. For a stay of more than 90 days within 180 days, applying for a residence permit (İkamet İzni) is mandatory. This authorises legal stay in Türkiye, but does not automatically authorise taking up employment – a separate work permit (Çalışma İzni) is required under Law No. 6735. As German citizens, you do not need a visa for entry, but after your arrival in Türkiye – before the 90 days expire – you must apply for a residence permit if you wish to stay longer.

The Foreigner Identification Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası – YKN) is an 11‑digit number assigned to foreigners when a residence permit is granted. It is your personal identification number for official procedures, tax matters, banking and many other areas of your life in Türkiye. Without this number, you cannot open a bank account, sign an employment contract or register an electricity contract. You will receive the YKN automatically once your residence permit is approved – no separate application is required. It is noted on your İkamet card and remains with you for life.

Türkiye offers six main categories of residence permits, each regulated by specific articles of Law No. 6458 and with their own admission criteria. A residence permit authorises legal stay for a specific period and, depending on the type of permit, provides access to healthcare, education and banking services. In 2026, the rules have been significantly tightened – the income check has become more demanding, the number of restricted residential areas has increased, and extension applications intended solely for tourists are routinely rejected. Here are the most important residence options for German citizens:

 

– Short‑term residence permit (Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni)

This is the most common type of permit for expats, retirees and remote workers. It is granted for up to two years and is renewable. Permitted purposes include, among others, tourism, property ownership (used as a residence), business connections, medical treatment or scientific research. However, obtaining a residence permit based solely on a rental contract is hardly possible since 2026 – property purchase is considered the safest option.

 

– Family residence permit (Aile İkamet İzni)

This permit is granted to spouses, minor children and dependent children of Turkish citizens or foreigners with a valid residence or work permit. It is valid for up to three years and renewable. The sponsor must prove sufficient income to support all family members.

 

– Student residence permit (Öğrenci İkamet İzni)

This permit applies to foreign students enrolled at Turkish universities or accredited language courses. Students may work after the first year of study, but require a separate work permit for that purpose.

 

– Long‑term residence permit

After eight years of uninterrupted lawful residence in Türkiye, you can apply for a permanent residence permit – the right of indefinite residence is no longer tied to specific conditions. Applicants must prove regular income and valid health insurance.

 

– Work permit as residence permit

A valid work permit (Çalışma İzni) under Law No. 6735 also serves as a residence permit for its entire validity period. Holders of a work permit do not need a separate residence permit.

Applying for a residence permit involves several steps – start in good time, before your 90‑day visa‑free stay expires.

 

Assemble the following documents before submitting your online application:

– Completed application form (printed from the e‑İkamet system, must be signed);

– Valid passport (original + copy of photo page + entry stamp; must be valid for at least 60 days beyond the requested stay);

– Four biometric passport photos (white background, taken within the last 6 months);

– Valid private health insurance (Turkish‑licensed; must cover the entire validity period of the permit);

– Proof of residential address (notarised rental contract or title deed – Tapu);

– Proof of sufficient income (bank statements from the last 3 months, pension certificate or signed employer letter);

– Proof of payment of fees (card fee, permit fee, if applicable, one‑time entry fee).

 

The application is made exclusively online via the official portal of the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management: e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. You create an account, complete the application form in full, and upload the required documents in PDF format. Select the type of residence permit that matches your stay purposes.

 

After completing the online application, you must send the physical documents within five working days to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü) responsible for your place of residence. The shipping address will be provided to you after completing the online application. Use a traceable shipping service.

 

The system will automatically assign you an appointment at the local Directorate of Migration Management. You must appear in person at this appointment and submit all original documents as well as copies. Your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be recorded. Foreigners who do not appear on the appointment day without a valid reason are considered not to have applied.

 

Processing time is between two and eight weeks, depending on the province. The decision will be communicated to you by post or via the UETS system (Ulusal Elektronik Tebligat Sistemi – National Electronic Notification System).

 

If the decision is positive, the İkamet card (residence permit card) will be sent to your stated address by post. Immediately check all information on the card for accuracy. The card contains your 11‑digit Foreigner Identification Number (Yabancı Kimlik Numarası – YKN).

 

UETS registration is not required for the initial application, but becomes mandatory for renewals and address changes. Register after receiving your İkamet card at any PTT branch (post office) with your passport, a Turkish mobile phone number and an active email address.

Since 1 July 2022 and continuing in 2026, first‑time applications are prohibited in neighbourhoods (Mahalles) where the proportion of registered foreigners exceeds 25% of the total population. If your registered address is in one of these restricted areas, your application will be automatically rejected. Be sure to check this before signing a rental contract or buying a property. Contact the competent population office (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) of the district where the property is located for this purpose. This restriction generally does not apply to renewals for those already registered at that address, unless you change your address. Notable restricted areas include parts of Fatih, Esenyurt and several other densely populated districts of Istanbul; similar restrictions apply in parts of Antalya, Alanya and other cities with traditionally high foreigner populations.

Buying a property in Türkiye is the most common way for foreign citizens to obtain a short‑term residence permit. The conditions for a residence permit based on property ownership are:

 

– The property must have a minimum value of 200,000 US dollars, evidenced by a valuation report licensed by the SPK (State Property Securities Commission) – this threshold has been fully valid since October 2023 and remains unchanged in 2026.

– The property must be a residential property (a house or apartment).

– The title deed must be registered in your name in the Tapu (Turkish land registry).

– The property must be your address – you must register your residence there.

– The neighbourhood must not be subject to the 25 percent foreigner quota.

– Valid private health insurance must cover the entire validity period of the permit.

– You must prove sufficient monthly income (at least 1.5 times the Turkish net minimum wage).

 

IMPORTANT: Properties with a stated value below 200,000 US dollars will result in the application being rejected regardless of other circumstances. It is crucial to check before purchase whether the desired residential area is eligible for a residence permit.Obtaining a residence permit based solely on a rental contract is hardly possible; the residence permit based on ownership remains the safest option.

Renewal applications must be submitted no later than 60 days before the expiry of your current residence permit. You can submit the application up to 60 days in advance. After submitting your renewal application, you will receive a provisional residence permit that allows you to stay legally while the application is processed – even if your current permit expires in the meantime. Late renewal applications are subject to fees. If you miss the deadline entirely and overstay your residence permit, this may result in fines, an entry ban or deportation, depending on the duration of the overstay.

German citizens do not need a visa to enter Türkiye, so no visa fees are incurred for short stays of up to 90 days. For the issuance of a residence permit, fees are payable, consisting of several components: The mandatory card fee (Kart Bedeli) in 2026 is 964 TRY (about 25 euros)for all applicants. In addition, a residence permit fee (İkamet Harcı) of about 80 US dollars per year is payable. First‑time applicants who entered visa‑free also pay a one‑time entry fee (Çok Amaçlı Giriş Harcı) of 9,376.40 TRY (about 240 euros). Total costs in the first year, including health insurance, notary fees and translation costs, amount to about 15,000 TRY (approximately 380 euros).

Moving to Türkiye requires thorough preparation and an understanding of local administrative procedures. Immigration regulations are subject to frequent changes – especially the rules on restricted residential areas, proof of income and evidence of a specific stay purpose are becoming increasingly important. We at KOCH Moving Logistics are by your side to make your dream of emigrating to Türkiye as smooth as possible.