TurkeyResidence permit

Property owner's permit in Turkey

A permit for a short stay in Turkey for foreign nationals who own residential property. It is granted provided that the property is used specifically as a home and meets sanitary and safety requirements. The right to work requires a separate permit from the Ministry of Labour. It is renewed while all the conditions remain, including health insurance and no problems with the law.

Source: Presidency of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Başkanlığı)

Who can apply

The programme provides for applications from several categories of applicant.

Sole owner of the home

Owns or plans to buy a house, a flat or a share of a property
Provides documents of title
Registers the address in the municipal registration system

Co-owners of a property

Several foreign nationals own one residential property together
Each co-owner may file a separate application
Documents on joint ownership or on the share in the property

Family members of a co-owner

Spouses and children of a foreign national who owns property
They may obtain a family residence permit through the owner as sponsor
Proof of the family relationship is required

When this programme will not suit you

You need to work in Turkey

Obtain a separate work permit from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security; or choose an investor programme that includes work

You need a permit for more than 2 years without a break

Apply for the long-term residence permit after 8 years of residence; or stay on other grounds

The property is commercial or non-residential

Buy residential property; or use other grounds for a residence permit

You have a past conviction or have been under investigation

Contact the consulate to clarify whether it is possible; a criminal-record certificate may be requested when you apply

Documents to gather

The list of documents required to apply for the short-term residence permit for property owners.

Application on the prescribed form (completed on the e-ikamet portal or in person at the office)
Passport or another identity document (original and copy)
Documents of title to the residential property (certificate or extract from the property register)
Document confirming the address of residence in Turkey (for example, a tenancy agreement if you have not yet moved in)
Criminal-record certificate issued by the authorities of the country of nationality (at the request of the migration authorities)
Health certificate or health insurance (in some cases)
Receipt for payment of the state fee (where applicable)

How the process runs

The typical procedure for obtaining the short-term residence permit for property owners through the portal or an office of the Presidency of Migration Management.

1
Preparing the documents and registering in the system
1-2 weeks
Collect all the required documents, including proof of ownership and the criminal-record certificate. Register your address of residence in the Turkish municipal registration system (entry in the register) if this has not been done before. Create a profile on the e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr portal or book an appointment at a migration office (through the randevu.goc.gov.tr portal).
2
Filing the application and the documents
1 day
File the application and upload the scanned documents to the portal, or attend the appointment at the office with the originals. Pay the state fee (if required). You will receive a case number and a registration receipt.
3
Consideration of the application
1-4 weeks
The migration office checks the documents and runs database checks. At this stage further information may be requested or an interview held. The status of the application can be tracked on the e-ikamet portal or by the case number.
4
Decision and receipt of the permit
1-2 days
If the decision is positive, you are handed the Ikamet İzni (residence permit), or you can obtain the electronic version on the portal. The permit runs from the date of issue and for a maximum of 2 years. If it is refused, written reasons are given.
5
Registration with the police and obtaining an ID
1-2 weeks
After receiving the permit it is usually necessary to register with the police (Emniyet) for the place of residence. Nationals of some countries also have to obtain a foreigner identification number (Yabancılık Kimlik Numarası). These steps may be combined with collecting the permit at the migration office.

Timelines and rights

Work

This permit does not in itself allow the holder to work. A separate work permit is issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a foreign national who holds a short-term residence permit as a property owner can be brought into the residence process by obtaining a family permit.

Spouse

May obtain a family residence permit on the basis of the marriage certificate and the marriage document. The permit is granted for a maximum of 3 years per application. Proof of living together or of the intention to live together is required.

Children (minors)

Minor children are included in the family residence permit on the basis of the birth certificate. If one of the parents is a Turkish citizen, the conditions may differ. The permit is valid until the child comes of age or for a maximum of 3 years.

Adult children and other dependants

Adult children or other dependent family members are considered according to the circumstances. Documentary proof of dependency and of financial support from the main applicant is required.

Renewal and the grace period

The short-term residence permit for property owners may be renewed for a maximum of 2 years per application. To renew it, all the conditions for obtaining it must remain in place: the residential property must remain residential and be owned by the applicant, the registered address must be current, and there must be no problems with the law and no convictions. The renewal is filed on the e-ikamet portal or at the office before the current permit expires. The number of renewals is not limited by law; however, after 8 years of continuous residence the applicant may qualify for the long-term residence permit, which has no end date.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The long-term residence permit is granted after 8 years of continuous residence on residence permits. Further checks are made: no social assistance in the past 3 years, stable income and health insurance. It is granted with no end date.

Route to citizenship

Naturalisation on the general terms — after 5 years of continuous residence in Turkey. Turkish language, income or occupation and the absence of security obstacles are also assessed.

Frequently asked questions about Property owner's permit

Can I work on a short-term residence permit for property owners?

A short-term residence permit does not in itself amount to a work permit. If you want to work in Turkey, you have to file a separate application for a work permit (İş İzni) with the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The work permit and the residence permit are two independent documents.

What types of property qualify for the residence permit?

Only residential property that is used to live in (a house, a flat, part of a house or flat). Commercial property, offices, shops and plots of land without a residential building do not qualify. If the property is owned jointly with other foreign nationals, each of them may file their own application on the basis of their share.

How long does it take to decide a residence permit application?

The standard time for a decision is 1 to 4 weeks from the filing of the full set of documents. In some cases further information or certificates may be required, which extends the timeline. You can track the progress of the application on the e-ikamet portal or by contacting the migration office in person.

What happens after obtaining the long-term residence permit? Is Turkish citizenship possible?

The long-term residence permit is granted with no end date and gives rights almost the same as those of Turkish citizens (except voting, military service and public office). To naturalise and obtain Turkish citizenship you must have lived in Turkey for at least 5 years continuously and meet the conditions laid down in the citizenship legislation, including a sufficient command of Turkish and a stable income or occupation.

How is a residence permit arranged for family members?

Spouses and children obtain a separate family permit (Family Residence Permit) on the basis of documents on the family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate). The family residence permit is granted for a maximum of 3 years per application. It is processed through the same migration office as the main applicant.

Other ways to move to Turkey

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Turkey.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.