Turkey is very hospitable to foreigners. The willingness to host citizens of different countries is ensured in the immigration law. For example, you may get a residence permit on the basis of purchasing real estate in this country.
The official website of the program
The number of foreigners who apply for a residence permit (in Turkish, Ikamet) in Turkey is growing from year to year. The most popular cities for immigrants were Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya.
In 2013, the Turkish Parliament adopted Law No. 6458 "On Foreigners and International Protection" - this document regulates the conditions for granting a residence permit. The law describes six types of residence permits and the grounds for issuing each of them. In particular, one of the reasons for obtaining a short-term residence permit is the ownership of real estate in Turkey.
The main advantage of a Turkish residence permit for the purchase of real estate is that there are no restrictions on the value of the object. Even a cheap apartment will allow its owner to legally settle in the country. It is worth focusing on $ 30 thousand - this is the minimum amount that will be needed to purchase a home. Such loyalty of immigration law is very rare: usually countries do not issue residence permits simply for the purchase of real estate or set strict price limits.
The status is issued by those who want to move to Turkey for permanent residence, or simply spend most of the year in the country (for example, foreign pensioners). A Turkish residence permit does not give visa advantages for traveling to other regions, moreover, it obliges to stay in Turkey for at least six months a year (otherwise the residence permit will be considered interrupted).
Usually, the first residence permit is issued to property owners for a year, and if you keep the property, it is extended. After five years of living in Turkey with a residence permit, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization (you will have to pass an exam in Turkish).
The fast way to receive a passport is the Turkish Citizenship by purchasing a Real Estate program.
Buying residential property
An applicant for a residence permit can purchase any residential property: an apartment or a house, in the primary or secondary market, with a loan or at his own expense.
Foreigners are allowed to buy one or more properties everywhere in Turkey (with the exception of some border regions, for example, at the Black Sea coast).
The value of the property is irrelevant to the immigration authorities.
Please note!
Family members should be recorded in the TAPU (certificate of real estate ownership).). If the property is registered exclusively on the name of the investor, then, for example, his spouse will receive another type of residence permit - family one.
After five years of residence in Turkey, you may apply for a passport. At the same time, Turkey recognizes dual citizenship, which means that you do not need to give up the first one.
Who gets a residence permit together with an investor
A spouse
When the marriage is registered officially.
Children
If they are under 18 years old.
The requirements are minimal for property owners in Turkey who wish to reside here for more than 90 days per year. You should have sufficient financial resources and accomodation. There are no strict checks, and an interview with an official is a simple formality that does not require special preparations.
Other requirements for the applicants:
The age of the main applicant should be from 18 years.
You should pass the security check (for example, non-involvement in terrorist organizations, etc.), to have no outstanding convictions and bans on entering Turkey.
You should have sufficient funds for living.
The applicant should have good health and have no dangerous to society diseases (hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV, etc.).
The applicant should have a place of residence in Turkey.
The applicant should have no bans on entry to Spain and other states of the Schengen area, to stay in the country legally.
The applications are filled out online through the e-ikamet system.
The application form for obtaining a residence permit (it should be signed by a foreign citizen and / or his legal representative). In order to fill it out you first need to obtain a TIN - taxpayer number - from the tax office at the place of registration in Turkey.
4 photographs (photographs should be biometric and made on a white background within the last 6 months).
Original passport and it’s copy (the validity of the passport must be at least 60 days longer than the period of the requested residence permit).
Valid medical insurance for the entire period of stay in Turkey (including emergency care, treatment in a polyclinic, treatment in a hospital).
Certificates of marriage and birth of children.
Proof of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the period of stay in the country. Declared in the form of an application. The authorities may require the supporting documents (you can focus on the amount of $ 6,000 per person per year - a bank deposit, pensions, rental income, dividends, salaries and other legal sources).
A copy of TAPU (certificate of ownership of real estate).
Certificate from the Cadastral Office (that TAPU is valid).
State fees for issuing a residence permit
The amount of the state fee for a residence permit depends on the purpose of residence and its duration, as well as on the country of the foreigner’s origin. On average, it is about $50.
There may also be minor administrative costs - photographs, copies of documents, notarization, etc.
Insurance costs
Medical insurance for a year will cost $50-150 and depends on the state of health, age, and other parameters.
Real estate purchase expenses
The tax on registration of the right of ownership is 4% of the cadastral value of real estate, which is usually lower than the market value.
In general, the buyer's expenses do not exceed 5-7% of the property price ( more details please view here).
A residence permit for real estate provides most of the civil rights, with the exception of the right to work for hire - a work permit should be obtained separately. There are also restrictions on the length of stay in the country, you should keep the property in ownership to extend the status.
The right to live in Turkey all the year round. At the same time, there is a restriction on the minimum period of stay in the country: if the holder of a residence permit is absent for more than 6 months per year, the status is considered interrupted, i.e. the current residence permit is canceled, and its term is not included in the required period of uninterrupted residence to obtain citizenship by naturalization. The next time you enter the country, you may get a new residence permit for purchasing real estate.
This type of residence permit does not automatically give you the right to work for hire - you should obtain a work permit. But you may open your own business in Turkey without restrictions or receive passive income, for example, from renting out real estate.
You may not sell real estate if you plan to extend your residence permit for the next year on the same basis.
Your children will be able to study for free in schools and universities in Turkey.
You receive the right to get health care (with valid insurance).
You get the right to obtain a local driver's license and buy a car.
After 5 years of permanent residence in Turkey with a residence permit and after passing the Turkish language exam, you may apply for citizenship by naturalization.