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.
A modern and cozy one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Alanya—a location that perfectly blends urban comfort and resort lifestyle. Situated just 300 meters from the sea and 50 meters from the city center, it's ideal for living, vacationing, and renting.
1+1
56 m²
10539
A comfortable and bright 2+1 apartment in the heart of Alanya, a location where everything you need is within walking distance and convenient for everyday living.
2+1
110 m²
10538
A spacious and bright 3+1 apartment in one of Alanya's most prestigious and green districts, Kargicak, prized for its tranquility, panoramic views, and high-quality construction.
3+1
145 m²
10537
A bright and functional 1+1 apartment in a new residential complex built in 2023 in the Mahmutlar district—a convenient and sought-after location for both living and renting.
1+1
55 m²
10536
Mahmutlar district, duplex 4+1, 135 m², floors 11–12, building of 2024, 400 m to the sea, 250 m to the center, three balconies with sea views, new residential complex with infrastructure.
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
135 m²
10535
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 90 m², 4th floor, 2022 building, 1500 m to the sea, 1000 m to the center, balcony with views of the surrounding area and partial sea view, residential complex with resort infrastructure.
2+1
90 m²
10534
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², 3rd floor, building built in 2022, 3500 m to the sea, 2500 m to the center, balcony overlooking the surrounding area, residential complex with developed infrastructure.
1+1
50 m²
10533
Oba district, penthouse 2+1, 180 m², 4th floor, building of 2012, 3000 m to the sea, 1750 m to the center, two balconies, complex with a swimming pool and green area.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
180 m²
10532
Oba district, 2+1 apartment, 115 m², 1st floor, 2014 building, 1200 m to the sea, 300 m to the center, two balconies, residence permit is suitable, complex with a swimming pool and fitness center.
2+1
115 m²
10531
Obagol district, furnished 3+1 apartment, 140 m², in a building built in 2000, 5th floor, first line, 50 m to the district center.
3+1
140 m²
10530
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 48 m², 2nd floor, 2012 building, 450 m to the sea, 250 m to the center, balcony with a view of the surrounding area, complex with a swimming pool.
1+1
48 m²
10529
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment, 110 m², 6th floor, 2011 building, 300 m to the sea, 200 m to the center, two balconies, view of the fortress, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10528
Oba district, duplex 2+1, 120 m², 5th floor, 2016 building, 1000 m to the sea, 300 m to the center, balconies overlooking the infrastructure and surroundings, resort-level complex.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
120 m²
10527
Tosmur district, furnished 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, second floor, 700 m to the sea, 450 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10525
Район Оба, квартира 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе сентября 2024 года постройки, первый этаж, без мебели, до моря 2000 м, до центра района 350 м.
1+1
55 m²
10524
Район Джикджилли, квартира 2+1 площадью 100 м² в жилом комплексе 2013 года постройки, 1 этаж, до моря 700 м, до центра 150 м, подходит для оформления ВНЖ.
2+1
100 m²
10523
Avsallar district, 1+1 apartment, 60 m², in a complex built in 2014, 2nd floor, 900 m to the sea, 300 m to the district center.
1+1
60 m²
10522
Район Тюрклер, меблированная отдельная вилла 4+2 площадью 250 м² после реновации, год постройки 2000, собственный участок 750 м², до моря 800 м, до центра района 800 м.
4+2
250 m²
10521
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, 3rd floor, unfurnished, 1800 m to the sea, 450 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10520
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, first floor, unfurnished, 1750 m to the sea, 500 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10519
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 modern and cozy one-bedroom apartment in the heart of Alanya—a location that perfectly blends urban comfort and resort lifestyle. Situated just 300 meters from the sea and 50 meters from the city center, it's ideal for living, vacationing, and renting.
1+1
56 m²
10539
A comfortable and bright 2+1 apartment in the heart of Alanya, a location where everything you need is within walking distance and convenient for everyday living.
2+1
110 m²
10538
A spacious and bright 3+1 apartment in one of Alanya's most prestigious and green districts, Kargicak, prized for its tranquility, panoramic views, and high-quality construction.
3+1
145 m²
10537
A bright and functional 1+1 apartment in a new residential complex built in 2023 in the Mahmutlar district—a convenient and sought-after location for both living and renting.
1+1
55 m²
10536
Mahmutlar district, duplex 4+1, 135 m², floors 11–12, building of 2024, 400 m to the sea, 250 m to the center, three balconies with sea views, new residential complex with infrastructure.
4+1, Duplex, Penthouse
135 m²
10535
Mahmutlar district, 2+1 apartment, 90 m², 4th floor, 2022 building, 1500 m to the sea, 1000 m to the center, balcony with views of the surrounding area and partial sea view, residential complex with resort infrastructure.
2+1
90 m²
10534
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², 3rd floor, building built in 2022, 3500 m to the sea, 2500 m to the center, balcony overlooking the surrounding area, residential complex with developed infrastructure.
1+1
50 m²
10533
Oba district, penthouse 2+1, 180 m², 4th floor, building of 2012, 3000 m to the sea, 1750 m to the center, two balconies, complex with a swimming pool and green area.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
180 m²
10532
Oba district, 2+1 apartment, 115 m², 1st floor, 2014 building, 1200 m to the sea, 300 m to the center, two balconies, residence permit is suitable, complex with a swimming pool and fitness center.
2+1
115 m²
10531
Obagol district, furnished 3+1 apartment, 140 m², in a building built in 2000, 5th floor, first line, 50 m to the district center.
3+1
140 m²
10530
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 48 m², 2nd floor, 2012 building, 450 m to the sea, 250 m to the center, balcony with a view of the surrounding area, complex with a swimming pool.
1+1
48 m²
10529
Tosmur district, 2+1 apartment, 110 m², 6th floor, 2011 building, 300 m to the sea, 200 m to the center, two balconies, view of the fortress, suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
10528
Oba district, duplex 2+1, 120 m², 5th floor, 2016 building, 1000 m to the sea, 300 m to the center, balconies overlooking the infrastructure and surroundings, resort-level complex.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
120 m²
10527
Tosmur district, furnished 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, second floor, 700 m to the sea, 450 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10525
Район Оба, квартира 1+1 площадью 55 м² в комплексе сентября 2024 года постройки, первый этаж, без мебели, до моря 2000 м, до центра района 350 м.
1+1
55 m²
10524
Район Джикджилли, квартира 2+1 площадью 100 м² в жилом комплексе 2013 года постройки, 1 этаж, до моря 700 м, до центра 150 м, подходит для оформления ВНЖ.
2+1
100 m²
10523
Avsallar district, 1+1 apartment, 60 m², in a complex built in 2014, 2nd floor, 900 m to the sea, 300 m to the district center.
1+1
60 m²
10522
Район Тюрклер, меблированная отдельная вилла 4+2 площадью 250 м² после реновации, год постройки 2000, собственный участок 750 м², до моря 800 м, до центра района 800 м.
4+2
250 m²
10521
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, 3rd floor, unfurnished, 1800 m to the sea, 450 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10520
Oba district, 1+1 apartment, 50 m², in a complex built in 2025, first floor, unfurnished, 1750 m to the sea, 500 m to the district center.
1+1
50 m²
10519
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.
