Turkish law FAQ: type your question, see the answer instantly

At least 400,000 USD through real estate; at least 500,000 USD through a bank deposit, government debt instruments, investment fund shares or a private pension. The investment must be held for 3 years. Details: Turkish citizenship by investment.

No. An annotation stating that the property will not be sold for 3 years is entered on the title deed; selling it before this period ends breaks the citizenship requirement. Details: citizenship certificate of conformity.

From 29 September 2026, valuation reports used in title deed transactions can be used for 12 months from the date they are issued. The report is prepared by a valuation company licensed by the Capital Markets Board (SPK). Details: Turkish citizenship by investment.

The certificate of conformity is the document showing that the investment meets the citizenship requirements; on the real estate route it is issued by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, and the citizenship application is made with this certificate. Details: citizenship certificate of conformity.

Yes. The investor’s spouse and children under 18 can obtain citizenship in the same application. Adult children generally need a separate legal basis. Details: spouse and children.

No. Citizenship by investment has no requirement to reside in Turkey for a specific period; the process can also be handled through a power of attorney.

The law sets no fixed period. The time depends on the completeness of the documents, the security check and the workload of the authorities. No specific period or outcome can be promised for any application.

Yes. Turkish law allows dual citizenship. Whether you can keep your current citizenship depends on the law of your own country. Country-specific information: Turkish citizenship by country.

Not automatically. You may apply if you have been married to a Turkish citizen for at least 3 years, live together as a family and there is no public-order obstacle (Law No. 5901, art. 16). Details: Turkish citizenship by marriage.

Once the decision is entered in the civil registry, you apply to the civil registry office for a Turkish identity card and then for a passport. Details: ID card and passport.

A foreigner who will stay longer than the period granted by the visa or visa exemption, or longer than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit. The application is made through the e-ikamet system before that period expires. Details: residence permit in Turkey.

There are six types: short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian and victim of human trafficking residence permits (Law No. 6458, art. 30). Details: types of residence permits.

For homes bought after 16 October 2023, the value in the valuation report must be at least 200,000 USD. For earlier purchases, the limit is 75,000 USD in metropolitan cities and 50,000 USD elsewhere. Details: residence permit by property.

The extension application is made through e-ikamet within the 60 days before the permit expires, and in any case before it expires. Days spent after expiry count as an overstay. Details: residence permit extension.

You can file a lawsuit against the refusal at the administrative court within 60 days of notification; a stay of execution should also be requested. Details: residence permit refusal appeal.

Those who have stayed in Turkey on residence permits for at least 8 years without interruption can apply, subject to conditions on income, health insurance and not having received social assistance in the last 3 years (Law No. 6458, art. 42). Details: long-term residence permit.

It is issued to the foreign spouse and children of a Turkish citizen or of a foreigner holding a residence permit; each permit is issued for a maximum of 3 years. Details: family residence permit.

Foreigners who will study at associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral level in Turkey apply for a student residence permit with their student certificate. Details: student residence permit.

No. A residence permit does not give the right to work; working requires a separate work permit. A valid work permit, however, replaces the residence permit. Details: work permit in Turkey.

Yes. A change of address must be reported to the civil registry office within 20 working days. An unreported address can cause problems in residence procedures.

The visa overstay penalty is the administrative fine imposed under Law No. 6458, art. 102 on a foreigner who exceeds the legal period of stay; it is usually calculated at the border gate on exit. Details: Turkey overstay penalty.

Citizens of many countries who come visa-free or with an e-visa may stay a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. Leaving and re-entering the country does not reset the period. Details: Turkey overstay penalty.

A foreigner who leaves without paying the fine may receive an entry ban of up to 5 years, and the debt is not cancelled automatically. Those who pay the fine and leave voluntarily after an overstay of less than 3 months are generally not banned.

No. If the application was made before the period expired, the time until a decision is made does not count as an overstay. If it is refused, you must leave within the period given or challenge the decision.

As a general rule, for each foreigner the employer must employ 5 Turkish citizens and meet one of these conditions: 500,000 TL capital, 8 million TL net sales or 150,000 USD exports. Details: work permit in Turkey.

The employer applies through e-Devlet with an electronic signature. If the foreigner holds a residence permit in Turkey valid for at least 6 months, the application is made from within Turkey; otherwise it is made from abroad with a work visa.

The first fixed-term work permit is issued for a maximum of 1 year and, while valid, replaces the residence permit (Law No. 6735).

The Turquoise Card is an indefinite work permit card issued to qualified workers, investors and people prominent in science, culture, art or sport; the first 3 years are a transition period. Details: Turquoise Card.

Yes, if they will actually work in the company or serve as a manager. Merely being a shareholder does not require a work permit.

A lawsuit is filed at the administrative court within 7 days of notification (Law No. 6458, art. 53). The deadline is very short; act as soon as the decision is notified. Details: deportation order appeal.

Code Ç-101 indicates a 3-month, Ç-102 a 6-month, Ç-103 a 1-year, Ç-104 a 2-year and Ç-105 a 5-year entry ban. Details: Turkey entry ban codes.

G87 and V87 are among the restriction codes that limit entry to Turkey; each code has a different legal basis and a different way to be lifted. The meaning of the code and the steps to take: entry ban codes G87 and V87.

Yes, it is possible. An application is made to the Presidency of Migration Management to lift the ban or for a time-limited entry permit; if no reply is given within 30 days, the application is deemed rejected and the court route opens. Details: entry ban lifting application.

The records can be checked by applying to the provincial migration directorate in person or through a lawyer with a power of attorney; if you are abroad, you can also ask a Turkish consulate.

Once the ban has expired, a normal visa application can be made; while the ban is still in force, an annotated visa may be considered in certain cases. Details: visa after entry ban.

Yes. If the basis of the code is unlawful, an annulment action can be filed at the administrative court; the outcome depends on the file and cannot be guaranteed. Details: Turkey entry ban removal.

Yes. Citizens of countries designated by the President can acquire real estate in Turkey; there is a limit of 30 hectares per person nationwide and 10% of a district’s area, and no acquisition is possible in military restricted zones (Law No. 2644, art. 35). Details: buying property in Turkey as a foreigner.

The title deed fee is 2% for the buyer and 2% for the seller, charged on the declared price; the declared price cannot be lower than the property tax value. Details: buying property in Turkey as a foreigner.

Yes. A valuation report prepared by an SPK-licensed company is mandatory when foreigners buy residential or commercial property.

Yes. The title deed can be transferred with a power of attorney with a photograph, issued at a Turkish consulate or before a local notary with an apostille. Details: title deed transfer by power of attorney.

The land registry record, the owner details, annotations such as mortgages and attachments, the zoning and occupancy permit (iskân) status and the seller’s authority should be checked. Checklist: title deed check in Turkey.

The DAB is a bank document showing that foreign currency brought from abroad has been converted into Turkish lira; it is required for the citizenship by investment application. Details: documenting investment payments.

It is not mandatory; however, the clauses on the deposit, delivery date, penalty and title deed transfer can later become the subject of a dispute. Details: sale and lease contract review.

Real estate in Turkey is always subject to Turkish law; for movable property, the law of the country of which the deceased was a citizen applies (Law No. 5718 on Private International Law (MÖHUK), art. 20). Details: inheritance law in Turkey.

No. In cases with a foreign element, the certificate of inheritance is obtained from the civil court of peace.

As a rule, 3 months from learning of the death (Turkish Civil Code art. 606). This deadline is especially important for estates with debts.

Within 4, 6 or 8 months, depending on where the death occurred and where the heirs are (Law No. 7338, art. 10). The title deed cannot be transferred to the heirs before the return is filed. Details: inheritance law in Turkey.

Yes. Foreigners can set up a company on the same terms as Turkish citizens; the minimum capital is 50,000 TL for a limited company and 250,000 TL for a joint-stock company. Details: company formation in Turkey.

No. Under Foreign Direct Investment Law No. 4875, no Turkish partner, prior permission or additional capital is required.

Yes. A foreign partner can set up a company without coming to Turkey, using an apostilled power of attorney. Details: power of attorney from abroad.

A tax number is obtained with a passport from a tax office, the online tax office or a Turkish consulate. Details: Turkish tax number for foreigners.

Yes. Banks ask for a tax number or a foreigner identification number when opening an account. Details: opening a bank account in Turkey.

It is not a legal requirement; however, banks may ask for a residence permit under their customer acceptance policies. Document list: documents to open a bank account in Turkey.

Banks may ask for documents showing the source of funds, the SWIFT receipt and the purpose of the transaction; a citizenship application also requires a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate. Details: international money transfer documents.

No. The office does not carry out or act as an intermediary in money transfers; on banking matters, only legal advice is given.

Not automatically; a recognition or enforcement action must be filed. Some uncontested divorce decisions can be registered administratively under Law No. 5490, art. 27/A. Details: recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments.

Yes, where the jurisdiction rules are met, Turkish courts hear foreigners’ divorce cases; the applicable law is determined under MÖHUK art. 14. Details: divorce in Turkey for foreigners.

A Turkish citizen’s marriage abroad is registered in the Turkish civil registry through a consulate or the civil registry office. Details: family law for foreigners in Turkey.

The court always bases its decision on the best interests of the child; a parent’s nationality alone is not decisive. Details: child custody in Turkey.

There are four types: interim, indigence (post-divorce), child support and support alimony. Details: alimony cases in Turkey.

As a rule, 60 days. If an application is not answered within 30 days, it is deemed rejected. Details: administrative cases for foreigners; for court proceedings in general, see litigation for foreigners in Turkey.

Yes. A power of attorney issued at a Turkish consulate or before a foreign notary can be used in Turkey with an apostille and a sworn translation. Details: power of attorney from abroad.

Yes. With a power of attorney, civil, commercial, criminal and administrative cases as well as enforcement proceedings can be handled through a lawyer. Details: litigation for foreigners in Turkey.

It can. Under MÖHUK art. 48, security may be required from a foreign claimant; an exemption may apply where there is reciprocity or an international agreement.

Consultations are held in Turkish, English, Arabic and Persian.

The fee is determined according to the scope of the matter and, under Attorneys Act art. 164, cannot be lower than the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff.

Phone and WhatsApp: +90 532 276 80 85, email: lawyer@egemenyasinsahalioglu.av.tr. In-person meetings are held by appointment at the office in Skyland İstanbul, Sarıyer.