Kymlik and Ikamet: what is the difference

Planning purchase of real estate and moving to the Republic of Turkey, foreigners are faced not only with some features of the housing market, but also with unusual terminology. In particular, these are kimlik and ikamet, which are of paramount importance for the legal residence of foreigners in Turkey.

The topic of our expert article: Kymlik and Ikamet, what kind of documents are they, and how do they differ from each other.

Content of the article:

What is Kimlik in Turkey

Kimlik in Turkey – What is this? This document is an internal biometric passport that every citizen of the Republic of Turkey has. An identity card is a plastic ID card without an expiration date with a person’s photo and personal data. Thus, civil status is maintained throughout life and is passed on to the next generation (children, grandchildren, etc.).

Kimlik in Turkey guarantees its owner all social rights, including:

  • legal work;
  • appointment to service in government bodies;
  • participation in public polls and elections as a voter or candidate;
  • free education in public schools, colleges, universities;
  • treatment in municipal and private hospitals;
  • social assistance;
  • obtaining loans from banks for various purposes (buying housing, movable property, starting a business) and much more.

How can a foreign citizen obtain Kimlik in Turkey?

A plastic card is issued to foreigners on the following grounds:

  1. Officially registered marriage with a Turkish citizen.
  2. Residence in an eastern country with a residence permit for 5 years.
  3. If the father or mother of the applicant – citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
  4. Official work for 5 years without interruption.
  5. Participation in the Turkish citizenship by investment government program, under which foreigners can apply for investment citizenship.

Citizenship by investment allows non-residents who wish to invest money in the Turkish economy to obtain a second passport in a simplified and expedited manner. The government provides for several types of investment:

  1. Opening your own business and providing Turkish citizens with at least 50 jobs.
  2. Purchase of securities, investment of deposit funds in a bank of an eastern state in the amount of $500,000.
  3. Purchase of real estate (one or more residential, commercial properties, land plots) in the amount of $400,000.
  4. Purchase of real estate for subsequent receipt of Ikamet – the most popular method among foreigners. Let us remind you that until April 2022, the volume of investments was only $250,000. But even after amendments to the law came into force to increase the minimum threshold for the value of real estate, the Turkish passport for investment has not lost its relevance. Buyers should be aware that payment must be made in Turkish Lira in order to enter into a valid sales transaction. That is, foreign currency (dollars, euros, rubles, pounds sterling) must be exchanged at a bank.
Kymlik and Ikamet: what is the difference

After receiving the TAPU, the foreigner can fill out an application on the official web portal of the Migration Service and begin collecting the package of papers.

List of required documents for Turkish citizenship:

  • Completed and printed application.
  • Foreign passport (copy and original).
  • Residence permit issued for the purpose of applying for Kymlicka.
  • Documents on current civil status and family composition.
  • Metric certificates, if there are minor children.
  • Certificate of no criminal record.
  • Health insurance policy and a certificate confirming the absence of dangerous diseases.
  • 4 recent photos 35x45 mm.
  • Receipt for payment of state duty.
  • TAPU.
  • Certificate of Conformity.
  • Bank cash receipt confirming the exchange of foreign funds into lira.

After filling out the online application, the system will issue a date for an in-person meeting at the Migration Department (İl Göç idaresi Müdürlüğü), where you will need to come with a package of documents.

A Turkish ID number takes on average from several months to six months. Payment for an application on Kimlik is individual, the amount is displayed on the screen immediately after filling out the online application on the site and, as a rule, is about $500.

Examples of real estate in Turkey

286 000 €

This 220 m², 4+1 villa in Kargicak was built in 2021 and is delivered furnished. It features a living room and four bedrooms on three levels, two bathrooms, a balcony, a terrace, and a veranda. The villa is suitable for a residence permit. Distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and to the city center is 1,500 m.

room

4+1

area

220 m²

id

11051

Urgent sale fire
2+1 apartment with an area of 85 m² in the Kargicak district-id-11050-photo-2

88 000 €

This furnished 2+1 apartment, 85 m², is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2010 in the Kargicak district. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and to the city center is 2,000 m.

room

2+1

area

85 m²

id

11050

Citizenship
A 1+1 apartment of 63 m² in the center of Alanya, 600 m from the sea - can be included in the real estate package for citizenship applications-id-11049-photo-3

143 000 €

This 63 sq m one-bedroom apartment in central Alanya is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2026. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The apartment is delivered unfurnished. It is 600 m from the sea and 500 m from the city center. The property is eligible for inclusion in the citizenship package.

room

1+1

area

63 m²

id

11049

Urgent sale fire
1+1 apartment, 45 m² in the center of Alanya, next to Cleopatra Beach - 150 m to the sea-id-11048-photo-4

143 000 €

This furnished 45 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located on the fourth floor of a building built in 2024 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. The layout includes a bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and a balcony. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 200 m.

room

1+1

area

45 m²

id

11048

350 000 €

This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 95 m², is located in the Güllerpınarı neighborhood in central Alanya. It occupies the fifth and sixth floors of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room and two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 200 m, and to the city center is 100 m.

room

2+1, Duplex, Penthouse

area

95 m²

id

11047

90 000 €

This 60 m², one-bedroom apartment with sea views in the Kargicak district is located on the second floor above two floors of shops. The building was built in 2023, and the apartment is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a bedroom, living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 500 m away, and the city center is 750 m away.

room

1+1

area

60 m²

id

11046

104 500 €

This 70 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Cikcilli is located on the ninth floor of a building built in 2008 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 850 m away, and the city center is 150 m away.

room

1+1

area

70 m²

id

11045

88 000 €

This furnished 1+1 apartment, 60 m², is located in the Tosmur district of Alanya. It is located on the first floor, which is the same height as the second floor. The apartment has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. Construction of the complex was completed in November 2024. The sea is 700 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.

room

1+1

area

60 m²

id

11044

Citizenship
2+1 apartment, 65 m² in the center of Alanya - 500 m to the sea, residence permit and citizenship-id-11043-photo-9

141 000 €

This 65 sq m two-bedroom apartment in central Alanya is located on the second floor of a building built in 2021 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 500 m away, and the city center is 250 m away. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.

room

2+1

area

65 m²

id

11043

117 000 €

This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the eighth floor of a building built in 2018 and is being delivered furnished. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 250 m away.

room

2+1

area

110 m²

id

11042

140 000 €

This 109 m², 2+1 apartment in the Hasbahçe district of Alanya is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2007 and is delivered unfurnished. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,300 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

109 m²

id

11041

This 110 sq m 2+1 apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is located on the second floor of a building built in 2009. The apartment is delivered furnished and includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The property is eligible for a residence permit. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

110 m²

id

11040

130 000 €

This 75 sq m 1+1 apartment is located on the second floor of a building built in 2022 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. The apartment is suitable for a residence permit and will be delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 450 m.

room

1+1

area

75 m²

id

11039

Citizenship
Apartment 2+1, 125 m² in the Mahmutlar area - 600 m to the sea, residence permit and citizenship-id-11038-photo-14

147 500 €

This 125 sq m, two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the second floor and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The sea is 600 m away, and the city center is 400 m away. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.

room

2+1

area

125 m²

id

11038

117 000 €

This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar, Alanya, is located on the second floor of a building built in 2007. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is unfurnished, has sea views, and is suitable for residency. The distance to the sea is 50 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

115 m²

id

11037

This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

1+1

area

47 m²

id

11036

This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.

room

1+1

area

65 m²

id

11035

Citizenship
2+1 duplex apartment, 147 m² in Nizhnyaya Oba, 550 m from the sea — suitable for citizenship-id-11034-photo-18

275 000 €

This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.

room

2+1, Duplex

area

147 m²

id

11034

Citizenship
3+1 villa of 170 m² in Kargicak: 290 m² plot, sea view and citizenship opportunity-id-11033-photo-19

320 000 €

This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.

room

3+1

area

170 m²

id

11033

58 000 €

This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.

room

1+1

area

55 m²

id

11032

See more

What is Ikamet in Turkey

«Ikamet in Turkey – what is this?” – another common question from citizens from abroad who want to buy real estate on the Mediterranean coast. Foreigners are allowed to legally reside in the country for no more than the period provided for by the visa-free or visa regime. As a rule, the visa-free period does not exceed 90 days. For a long-term legal stay in Turkey, you need to apply for a special Ikamet permit, which is a plastic card with a photo and data of a foreigner.

The validity period of Ikamet depends on the type of document:

  1. Short-term or temporary residence permit is issued for a period from 6 months to 3 years with the possibility of further extension.
  2. A long-term or indefinite residence permit guarantees the foreigner's presence in Turkey without any time restrictions.

The grounds for obtaining a Turkish residence permit and its extension are:

  • purchase of real estate;
  • reunion with immediate family;
  • long-term recreation and tourism;
  • official employment under contract;
  • long therapeutic procedures in municipal and private hospitals;
  • in-patient training in Turkish educational institutions;
  • language courses;
  • refugee status or victim of violence.

Before you receive Ikamet in Turkey on the basis of a certificate of ownership, it is important to study the conditions of registration. So, A residence permit for the purchase of real estate is available to foreigners if the cadastral value of the property is at least $200,000 in lire equivalent at the time of its registration (these changes came into force on October 16, 2023). If the price threshold is lower, buyers of Turkish apartments can count on tourist ikamet.

Kymlik and Ikamet: what is the difference

A residence permit guarantees foreigners all the benefits of living in Turkey, with the exception of official employment. In addition, Ikamet card holders have access to:

  • completing driving courses and obtaining a driving license;
  • medical care in public and private hospitals in the country;
  • education of children in municipal kindergartens and schools;
  • simple opening of a commercial activity.

The application for Ikamet is filled out online on the website of the Turkish Migration Service. Digital scanned copies of the following documents are attached to the application form:

  1. Application for a residence permit with reference to the basis.
  2. Rental contract or TAPU.
  3. Copies of all pages of the foreign passport.
  4. Turkish TIN.
  5. Medical insurance for the entire period of validity of ikamet.
  6. Photo on a white background, 45x34 mm.

As a rule, no more than 6-8 weeks pass from the moment you apply for a residence permit until you receive the card. The cost of obtaining a residence permit in Turkey, including payment of state fees, preparation and translation of documents, – from $50 per person. The application surcharge for immediate relatives (children, spouses) is approximately $35 per person.

Summary

Point Property specialists will select suitable property for you in Turkish resorts to obtain Ikamet or citizenship. They will advise you on the conditions for processing documents for residence and will accompany you when submitting an application as part of the after-sales service.

Examples of real estate in Turkey

286 000 €

This 220 m², 4+1 villa in Kargicak was built in 2021 and is delivered furnished. It features a living room and four bedrooms on three levels, two bathrooms, a balcony, a terrace, and a veranda. The villa is suitable for a residence permit. Distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and to the city center is 1,500 m.

room

4+1

area

220 m²

id

11051

Urgent sale fire
2+1 apartment with an area of 85 m² in the Kargicak district-id-11050-photo-2

88 000 €

This furnished 2+1 apartment, 85 m², is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2010 in the Kargicak district. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and to the city center is 2,000 m.

room

2+1

area

85 m²

id

11050

Citizenship
A 1+1 apartment of 63 m² in the center of Alanya, 600 m from the sea - can be included in the real estate package for citizenship applications-id-11049-photo-3

143 000 €

This 63 sq m one-bedroom apartment in central Alanya is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2026. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The apartment is delivered unfurnished. It is 600 m from the sea and 500 m from the city center. The property is eligible for inclusion in the citizenship package.

room

1+1

area

63 m²

id

11049

Urgent sale fire
1+1 apartment, 45 m² in the center of Alanya, next to Cleopatra Beach - 150 m to the sea-id-11048-photo-4

143 000 €

This furnished 45 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located on the fourth floor of a building built in 2024 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. The layout includes a bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and a balcony. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 200 m.

room

1+1

area

45 m²

id

11048

350 000 €

This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 95 m², is located in the Güllerpınarı neighborhood in central Alanya. It occupies the fifth and sixth floors of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room and two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 200 m, and to the city center is 100 m.

room

2+1, Duplex, Penthouse

area

95 m²

id

11047

90 000 €

This 60 m², one-bedroom apartment with sea views in the Kargicak district is located on the second floor above two floors of shops. The building was built in 2023, and the apartment is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a bedroom, living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 500 m away, and the city center is 750 m away.

room

1+1

area

60 m²

id

11046

104 500 €

This 70 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Cikcilli is located on the ninth floor of a building built in 2008 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 850 m away, and the city center is 150 m away.

room

1+1

area

70 m²

id

11045

88 000 €

This furnished 1+1 apartment, 60 m², is located in the Tosmur district of Alanya. It is located on the first floor, which is the same height as the second floor. The apartment has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. Construction of the complex was completed in November 2024. The sea is 700 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.

room

1+1

area

60 m²

id

11044

Citizenship
2+1 apartment, 65 m² in the center of Alanya - 500 m to the sea, residence permit and citizenship-id-11043-photo-9

141 000 €

This 65 sq m two-bedroom apartment in central Alanya is located on the second floor of a building built in 2021 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and one balcony. The sea is 500 m away, and the city center is 250 m away. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.

room

2+1

area

65 m²

id

11043

117 000 €

This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the eighth floor of a building built in 2018 and is being delivered furnished. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 250 m away.

room

2+1

area

110 m²

id

11042

140 000 €

This 109 m², 2+1 apartment in the Hasbahçe district of Alanya is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2007 and is delivered unfurnished. The layout includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,300 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

109 m²

id

11041

This 110 sq m 2+1 apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is located on the second floor of a building built in 2009. The apartment is delivered furnished and includes two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The property is eligible for a residence permit. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

110 m²

id

11040

130 000 €

This 75 sq m 1+1 apartment is located on the second floor of a building built in 2022 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. The apartment is suitable for a residence permit and will be delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 450 m.

room

1+1

area

75 m²

id

11039

Citizenship
Apartment 2+1, 125 m² in the Mahmutlar area - 600 m to the sea, residence permit and citizenship-id-11038-photo-14

147 500 €

This 125 sq m, two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the second floor and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The sea is 600 m away, and the city center is 400 m away. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.

room

2+1

area

125 m²

id

11038

117 000 €

This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar, Alanya, is located on the second floor of a building built in 2007. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is unfurnished, has sea views, and is suitable for residency. The distance to the sea is 50 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

2+1

area

115 m²

id

11037

This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.

room

1+1

area

47 m²

id

11036

This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.

room

1+1

area

65 m²

id

11035

Citizenship
2+1 duplex apartment, 147 m² in Nizhnyaya Oba, 550 m from the sea — suitable for citizenship-id-11034-photo-18

275 000 €

This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.

room

2+1, Duplex

area

147 m²

id

11034

Citizenship
3+1 villa of 170 m² in Kargicak: 290 m² plot, sea view and citizenship opportunity-id-11033-photo-19

320 000 €

This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.

room

3+1

area

170 m²

id

11033

58 000 €

This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.

room

1+1

area

55 m²

id

11032

See more

These materials have been prepared for informational purposes and are not of a commercial nature.

Point Property – is a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for residential and commercial real estate transactions in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking their legal purity, support during the re-registration of ownership.

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