Moving to Turkey by buying a home: the relocation plan step by step

Moving to Turkey: start with the legal route, then the home

Most plans for moving to Turkey begin with a flat that looks right in photos. A smoother move starts one step earlier, with the legal basis for your stay, because that decides the minimum price, the neighbourhoods you can register in and the papers you will need. Buying a home can serve as that basis. This page sets out the order we follow with relocating buyers. Rules were checked on 11 November 2026; we update the page when they change.

• Residence permit through owning a home. For homes bought on or after 16 October 2023, a short-term permit based on ownership needs a residential property worth at least USD 200,000, in a neighbourhood still open to new registrations. The permit is renewed, usually every one or two years. The conditions are set out in our guide on the residence permit through property.
• Citizenship by investment. A purchase of at least USD 400,000, paid through a Turkish bank, held for three years and backed by a valuation report; since 29 September 2026 that report stays valid for 12 months. The passport covers the applicant, a husband or wife, and children who are not yet 18. See Turkish citizenship by investment through real estate.
• Other permits. Work, family, student and long-term permits follow their own rules, set by the Presidency of Migration Management (goc.gov.tr). We tell you early if your situation points to one of these instead.

Before the permit, you enter on a visa or visa-free. The allowance depends on your passport: according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (visa information for foreigners, read 11 November 2026), Russian citizens can stay up to 60 days per trip and Iranian, Ukrainian and Kazakh citizens up to 90 days. Plan the purchase and the permit application inside that window.

Choosing a city and a district

Istanbul offers the widest choice of homes, international schools and flights; the Mediterranean coast is quieter and seasonal. Our comparison of Istanbul and Antalya sets the trade-offs side by side. Inside Istanbul, decide first which side of the Bosphorus your daily life will happen on, then narrow down by commute, schools and budget. Two guides help with this: where to live in Istanbul as an expat and the best areas in Istanbul for families. Check the monthly bills that follow the move in our Istanbul cost of living guide, and browse homes by district on the Istanbul property hub.

Your first 30 days: a practical checklist

1. Tax number. Free and usually issued the same day at a tax office on presentation of your passport. You need it for the title deed, utilities and a bank account. Details: Turkish tax number and bank account.
2. Bank account. Large banks generally let non-residents open an account with just a passport and the tax number, and they will ask where the money comes from.
3. The purchase. Checks, valuation report, payment by bank transfer and the title deed appointment. From 1 December 2026 sales paid by transfer run through the Secure Payment System announced by the Ministry of Trade.
4. Health insurance. A residence application needs health insurance valid in Turkey for the permit period; private policies are priced by age.
5. Residence application. Filed online on e-İkamet, then an in-person appointment at the migration office of your province. Apply while your legal stay is still valid. The permit card is posted to the address you register.
6. Utilities and internet. Electricity, water and natural gas are opened in your name with the title deed and tax number; the building also needs a valid compulsory earthquake insurance policy (DASK).
7. Mobile phone. A handset bought abroad has to be registered (IMEI) to keep working on Turkish networks after a limited period. The rules and the fee are revised from time to time, so check the current notice of the telecoms regulator BTK before you rely on an imported phone.

Timeline and budget for the move

Times are typical ranges, not guarantees: holidays, bank checks and appointment availability can stretch them. For a line-by-line list of purchase costs, see costs and taxes when buying property in Turkey.

Moving to Turkey with your family

Usually the same file can cover a spouse and any children younger than 18. When they are co-owners of the home, each can apply on the basis of ownership; otherwise a family residence permit linked to the main applicant is the usual route. Each family member needs a passport valid beyond the permit period, a biometric photo and health insurance. Children holding a residence permit can enrol in Turkish state schools through the Ministry of National Education (meb.gov.tr); international and private schools set their own admission dates, often months ahead, so contact them before you choose a district. Our list of family homes in Istanbul starts from these criteria.

How Property Turkey Finder runs your move

Relocating buyers get one adviser for the whole sequence: the route check, the home search and checks, deed day, the residence file and the first weeks after the keys. Our real estate agent service in Istanbul explains how we work and how to check any agency, and our after-sales service covers utilities, furnishing and letting if you split your year between countries. Call or message +90 555 466 98 66 (WhatsApp) or use the form below. We do not promise a permit or a timeline we do not control; we tell you what the rules require and prepare the file properly.

Frequently asked questions