Türkiye
Republic of Türkiye · Capital: Ankara
A large transcontinental economy bridging Europe and Asia, Türkiye pairs a famous citizenship-by-investment route with low living costs, a deep manufacturing base and a young, fast-growing workforce. It is the world's largest refugee host and an increasingly popular base for investors, retirees and remote workers — though high inflation and currency swings are a real consideration.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Türkiye.
Policy overview
6 visa routes into Türkiye
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Citizenship by Investment
InvestorTR-CBI
Turkish citizenship via ~$400k property purchase (held 3 years), or a $500k bank deposit / business / fund investment.
Eligibility
- $400k+ real estate (or $500k bank/business/fund)
- Hold the investment for 3 years
- Clean criminal record
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
TR-WP
Employer-sponsored work permit that doubles as a residence permit, tied to a Turkish employer. The 2026 fee for a 1-year permit is TRY 12,574.90 plus the TRY 964 card fee.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a Turkish employer
- Employer meets quota / capital rules
- Role matching qualifications
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Short-Term Residence Permit
Digital nomadTR-RP
Residence for remote workers, retirees and property owners who are not employed locally; renewable annually. The residence card costs TRY 964 in 2026, plus a permit fee that varies by nationality.
Eligibility
- Demonstrated means of support
- Valid accommodation
- Private health insurance
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital nomadTR-DNV
Launched in 2024: remote workers aged 21-55 from 36 eligible countries first obtain a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate online, then apply for the visa at a consulate and a short-term residence permit, for up to one year.
Eligibility
- Citizen of an eligible country (EU/EEA, UK, Switzerland, USA, Canada and others), aged 21-55
- University degree
- Remote work for a company or clients outside Turkiye
- Income of at least US$3,000 a month or US$36,000 a year
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Turquoise Card
TalentTR-TQ
An indefinite-term residence-and-work right for highly qualified professionals, investors and people of strategic value to Türkiye.
Eligibility
- High qualifications / income, or
- Significant investment & job creation
- Recognised scientific, cultural or sporting merit
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Student Residence Permit
StudentTR-STU
Residence for international students enrolled at a Turkish university, with limited part-time work rights.
Eligibility
- Acceptance from a recognised institution
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Türkiye, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Türkiye needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
IT & Software
A booming gaming and e-commerce scene centred on Istanbul competes hard for engineers.
Tourism & Hospitality
One of the world's top tourism destinations, with constant demand for multilingual staff.
Manufacturing & Textiles
A vast export base spanning textiles, automotive and white goods drives steady engineering demand.
Healthcare
A large health-tourism industry and ageing demand fuel openings for medical staff and coordinators.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Istanbul
Economic megacityThe commercial heart straddling Europe and Asia, with most jobs, startups and international employers.
- Cost index
- 54
- 1-bed rent
- $700
- Quality
- 72
Ankara
Capital & governmentThe administrative capital, home to government, defence, embassies and major universities.
- Cost index
- 46
- 1-bed rent
- $450
- Quality
- 72
Izmir
Aegean coastA breezy, liberal Aegean city popular with retirees, families and remote workers.
- Cost index
- 48
- 1-bed rent
- $500
- Quality
- 76
Antalya
Mediterranean resort coastA sunny Mediterranean hub and tourism capital, now a magnet for Russian and European movers.
- Cost index
- 47
- 1-bed rent
- $520
- Quality
- 75
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Türkiye.
A modern universal system (SGK) plus a large, well-equipped private sector that anchors Türkiye's booming medical-tourism industry. Residence-permit holders typically need private health insurance, which is inexpensive by European standards.
Free Turkish-language state schooling, a growing number of international and bilingual private schools in Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, and many low-cost universities — several teaching wholly in English.
Among the most affordable in the wider European region: rent, eating out and transport are cheap in dollar terms, though persistent high inflation means prices and the lira move quickly.
Fast, cheap fibre in the major cities (commonly 100–1000 Mbps) and broad 4G/5G coverage; some global sites and services see occasional restrictions.
Varied — a Mediterranean coast with hot dry summers and mild winters, a temperate Black Sea coast, and a continental interior (Ankara, Anatolia) with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendThe world's largest refugee host and a magnet for investors and remote workers; currency volatility and regional geopolitics are real factors.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Big cities are broadly safe; apply the usual urban precautions, especially in crowded tourist areas.
Higher = safer (crime index 40/100).
Where to live
Which Türkiye city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Istanbul
Two-continent metropolis
The commercial heart straddling Europe and Asia, with most jobs, startups and the biggest expat scene.
Izmir
Relaxed & liberal Aegean
A breezy, liberal Aegean city popular with retirees and remote workers.
Ankara
Planned & political
The administrative capital, with government, defence and university employers and calmer streets.
Antalya
Mediterranean resort coast
Sunny tourism capital, now a magnet for Russian and European movers, with a low cost of living.
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