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:
- Officially registered marriage with a Turkish citizen.
- Residence in an eastern country with a residence permit for 5 years.
- If the father or mother of the applicant – citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
- Official work for 5 years without interruption.
- 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:
- Opening your own business and providing Turkish citizens with at least 50 jobs.
- Purchase of securities, investment of deposit funds in a bank of an eastern state in the amount of $500,000.
- Purchase of real estate (one or more residential, commercial properties, land plots) in the amount of $400,000.
- 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.
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.
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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:
- Short-term or temporary residence permit is issued for a period from 6 months to 3 years with the possibility of further extension.
- 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.
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:
- Application for a residence permit with reference to the basis.
- Rental contract or TAPU.
- Copies of all pages of the foreign passport.
- Turkish TIN.
- Medical insurance for the entire period of validity of ikamet.
- 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.
A comfortable, furnished two-room apartment with two balconies, located in a cozy complex with a full range of amenities for relaxation and living.
2+1
110 m²
10324
A bright, furnished one-bedroom apartment with a spacious balcony in a modern complex with rich infrastructure, located just 500 meters from the sea.
1+1
80 m²
10323
Spacious new 2+1 duplex with two balconies and two bathrooms, located in an elite complex just 100 meters from the sea.
2+1
120 m²
10322
A comfortable furnished one-room apartment with a balcony in a modern complex located just 400 meters from the sea and 250 meters from the center.
1+1
60 m²
10321
A cozy, furnished two-bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and balconies, located 200 meters from the sea in a complex with well-developed infrastructure, ideal for vacations and rentals.
2+1
90 m²
10320
A spacious 1+1 apartment with a balcony and a well-thought-out layout in a new residential complex located just 500 meters from the sea.
1+1
58 m²
10319
Spacious and cozy 2+1 apartment with a balcony just 50 meters from the sea and 100 meters from the center of the area.
2+1
85 m²
10317
A comfortable, furnished two-room apartment with two balconies, located in a cozy complex with a full range of amenities for relaxation and living.
2+1
110 m²
10316
A comfortable 1+1 apartment in a 2025 complex with infrastructure—everything for a vacation and permanent residence by the sea.
1+1
57 m²
10315
Spacious 2-room apartment in a modern residential complex Cikcilli with rich infrastructure and a convenient location.
2+1
100 m²
10314
A luxurious 6-room villa in the Tepe area, complete with furniture, appliances, a sauna, and a swimming pool—everything for a comfortable seaside lifestyle.
4+2
351 m²
10313
A modern two-room apartment in the center of Alanya with furniture, appliances, and excellent infrastructure for comfortable living.
2+1
120 m²
10312
Comfortable 2+1 apartment in a complex on the first line of the sea in the very center of the Mahmutlar district
2+1
100 m²
10309
Furnished 1+1 apartment with an area of 62 m² on the 3rd floor of a building from 2021 in Mahmutlar, 500 m from the sea and 250 m from the center, with a convenient layout and full complex infrastructure.
1+1
62 m²
10308
A cozy 1+1 apartment of 50 m² on the 1st floor of a new building from 2024 in Oba: 2,500 m to the sea and 1,500 m to the center, well-thought-out layout, laminate flooring, unfurnished.
1+1
50 m²
10307
A cozy 1+1 apartment of 50 m² on the 1st floor of a new complex from 2024 in Payallar, 2,250 m from the sea and 1,500 m from the center, with a well-thought-out layout and laminate flooring.
1+1
50 m²
10306
This spacious, high-quality two-bedroom apartment in a 2019 complex is just 400 meters from the sea and 250 meters from the city center.
2+1
110 m²
10305
A comfortable 1+1 apartment with furniture and appliances in a 2023 complex with 5-star infrastructure—everything you need for a relaxing holiday or permanent residence by the sea.
1+1
55 m²
10304
A luxurious two-level 3+1 penthouse with furniture, appliances, and panoramic views of the sea and mountains, within walking distance of the city center and the beach.
3+1, Duplex
354 m²
10303
Furnished 1+1 apartment with an area of 55 m² in the Mahmutlar area, building built in 2013, only 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
10302
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.
