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.
Spacious apartments with renovation and open view in a new project with infrastructure
1+1
47 m²
9786
Bright and fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in one of the most convenient areas of Alanya - Tosmur.
2+1
115 m²
9785
Furnished duplex 2+1 in the Mahmutlar area in a complex built in 2022, 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
90 m²
9784
Partially furnished 1+1 apartment in the center of Alanya in a complex built in 2023, just 800 m from the sea and 200 m from the central part of the city.
1+1
45 m²
9783
New 1+1 apartment in the Oba area in a small apartment complex built in 2022, 850 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9782
Furnished duplex 3+1 in Mahmutlar, in a residential complex built in 2022, just 350 m from the sea and 450 m from the center of the area.
3+1, Duplex, Penthouse
158 m²
9781
New 1+1 apartment from a well-known developer in Mahmutlar in a complex built in 2024, just 950 m from the sea and 500 m from the center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9780
Furnished 1+1 apartment in Mahmutlar, in a complex built in 2017, just 500 m from the sea in the very center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9779
Furnished 1+1 apartment in Avsallar area in a complex built in 2025, 1500 m from the sea and 550 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
9778
Modern duplex 2+1 in an ecologically clean area of Oba, in a new complex built in 2024, 2500 m from the sea and 500 m from the center.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
105 m²
9776
Furnished 2+1 apartment in the Gullerpinary area in a prestigious complex built in 2021, 900 m from the sea and 300 m from the center - suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
9775
New apartment 1+1 in the center, Cleopatra, in a complex built in 2023, just 150 m from the sea and 100 m from the center.
1+1
60 m²
9774
Furnished 2+1 apartment in a complex built in 2020 in the Mahmutlar area, just 300 m from the sea and 100 m from the center.
2+1
100 m²
9773
Modern duplex 2+1 in a complex built in 2024 in the Konakli area, 300 m from the sea and 2000 m from the center.
2+1
105 m²
9772
Kargicak, Alanya district, layout 1+1, area 67 m², year of construction - 2023, to the sea 0 m, to the center - 100 m. First line, sea view.
1+1
67 m²
9771
Modern - 3+1 villa in a complex built in 2021 in the Kargicak area, with the possibility of obtaining citizenship, 2000 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center.
3+1
210 m²
9770
Avsallar, Alanya district, layout 1+1, area 50 m², year of construction - 2022, to the sea 1500 m, to the center - 1250 m. Transfer to the sea.
1+1
50 m²
9769
The center of Alanya, a complex from a well-known developer, 1+1 layout, area 57 m², year of construction - 2023, 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center.
1+1
57 m²
9768
Alanya center, Gullerpinary, 1+1 layout, area 57 m², year of construction - end of 2023, 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center.
1+1
57 m²
9767
Layout 1+1, area 57 m², year of construction - 2022, to the sea 450 m, to the center - 150 m.
1+1
57 m²
9766
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.
Spacious apartments with renovation and open view in a new project with infrastructure
1+1
47 m²
9786
Bright and fully furnished two-bedroom apartment in one of the most convenient areas of Alanya - Tosmur.
2+1
115 m²
9785
Furnished duplex 2+1 in the Mahmutlar area in a complex built in 2022, 400 m from the sea and 200 m from the center.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
90 m²
9784
Partially furnished 1+1 apartment in the center of Alanya in a complex built in 2023, just 800 m from the sea and 200 m from the central part of the city.
1+1
45 m²
9783
New 1+1 apartment in the Oba area in a small apartment complex built in 2022, 850 m from the sea and 200 m from the center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9782
Furnished duplex 3+1 in Mahmutlar, in a residential complex built in 2022, just 350 m from the sea and 450 m from the center of the area.
3+1, Duplex, Penthouse
158 m²
9781
New 1+1 apartment from a well-known developer in Mahmutlar in a complex built in 2024, just 950 m from the sea and 500 m from the center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9780
Furnished 1+1 apartment in Mahmutlar, in a complex built in 2017, just 500 m from the sea in the very center of the area.
1+1
50 m²
9779
Furnished 1+1 apartment in Avsallar area in a complex built in 2025, 1500 m from the sea and 550 m from the center.
1+1
55 m²
9778
Modern duplex 2+1 in an ecologically clean area of Oba, in a new complex built in 2024, 2500 m from the sea and 500 m from the center.
2+1, Duplex, Penthouse
105 m²
9776
Furnished 2+1 apartment in the Gullerpinary area in a prestigious complex built in 2021, 900 m from the sea and 300 m from the center - suitable for a residence permit.
2+1
110 m²
9775
New apartment 1+1 in the center, Cleopatra, in a complex built in 2023, just 150 m from the sea and 100 m from the center.
1+1
60 m²
9774
Furnished 2+1 apartment in a complex built in 2020 in the Mahmutlar area, just 300 m from the sea and 100 m from the center.
2+1
100 m²
9773
Modern duplex 2+1 in a complex built in 2024 in the Konakli area, 300 m from the sea and 2000 m from the center.
2+1
105 m²
9772
Kargicak, Alanya district, layout 1+1, area 67 m², year of construction - 2023, to the sea 0 m, to the center - 100 m. First line, sea view.
1+1
67 m²
9771
Modern - 3+1 villa in a complex built in 2021 in the Kargicak area, with the possibility of obtaining citizenship, 2000 m from the sea and 1000 m from the center.
3+1
210 m²
9770
Avsallar, Alanya district, layout 1+1, area 50 m², year of construction - 2022, to the sea 1500 m, to the center - 1250 m. Transfer to the sea.
1+1
50 m²
9769
The center of Alanya, a complex from a well-known developer, 1+1 layout, area 57 m², year of construction - 2023, 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center.
1+1
57 m²
9768
Alanya center, Gullerpinary, 1+1 layout, area 57 m², year of construction - end of 2023, 650 m to the sea, 250 m to the center.
1+1
57 m²
9767
Layout 1+1, area 57 m², year of construction - 2022, to the sea 450 m, to the center - 150 m.
1+1
57 m²
9766
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.
