Ways to live in Turkey
These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.
Programme details are shown in English.
Digital nomad visa Digital nomad visas →
Digital Nomad Visa (Digital Nomad Identification Certificate)
For remote employees and freelancers working for companies outside Türkiye. You first get a Digital Nomad Identification Certificate online, then apply for the visa at a Turkish visa centre or consulate.
- What you need
- Age 21–55; citizen of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the UK, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Russia, Ukraine or Belarus; university degree. A contract with a company outside Türkiye and income of at least $3,000 a month ($36,000 a year).
- Income
- from about $3,000 a month
- Renewable
- No
- Cost
- Consular visa fee
- How to apply
- Register and upload documents at goturkiye.com/digitalnomads; with the certificate, apply at a Turkish visa centre or consulate
- Path to permanent residence
- The visa is paired with a short-term residence permit, applied for after arrival.
Work permit Work permits →
Work permit
For people hired by an employer in Türkiye. The work permit also serves as a residence permit.
- What you need
- A job contract; the employer files the application online with the Ministry of Labour. From abroad you first apply at a Turkish consulate to get a reference number. A residence permit alone does not give the right to work.
- How long
- Up to 1 year for the first permit, tied to one employer; longer on extension
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Turkish consulate abroad, then the employer via the e-Government work permit system
- Family
- Family members can come with you
Student visa Student visas →
Student residence permit
For students in associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral programmes at Turkish universities.
- What you need
- A student certificate from the university, health insurance for the whole period, an address in Türkiye and a passport valid at least 60 days beyond the permit. Turkish-language-only, exchange and open-education students need a different permit.
- How long
- For the study period, then up to 1 year at a time
- Renewable
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online pre-registration via e-ikamet, then the provincial migration office
Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →
Citizenship by investment (real estate)
Turkish citizenship under an exceptional procedure for foreigners who buy property or make other large investments.
- What you need
- Property worth at least USD 400,000, with a ban on reselling it for at least three years recorded in the title deed.
- Savings
- about $400,000
- Family
- Family members can come with you
- Path to permanent residence
- Leads directly to citizenship.
Cost of living
Monthly amounts in US dollars.
| One-bedroom flat | $600 |
|---|---|
| Two-bedroom flat | $1,100 |
| Bills | $40 |
| Typical local salary | $800 |
| Budget for one person | $1,420 |
Cities to consider
- IstanbulTwo continents, one city≈ $786 a month for one person, before rent
- AnkaraSteppe capital of boulevards
- IzmirAegean bay and easy living
- AntalyaTurquoise coast and Taurus peaks
- AlanyaMediterranean resort town≈ $786 a month for one person, before rent
- FethiyeLycian coast base≈ $786 a month for one person, before rent
- KaşDiving and sea views≈ $786 a month for one person, before rent
Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.
What life is like
Programme details are shown in English.
Why people move
Istanbul straddles the Bosphorus with endless neighbourhoods, ferries and history. Antalya and the Aegean coast offer beaches and a softer pace, and breakfast spreads, kebabs and meze make eating out a daily highlight.
Day to day
Domestic flights and long-distance buses are cheap and frequent, with high-speed trains on some routes. Private hospitals are modern and popular. Cards and contactless payment are widespread. Turkish is essential beyond tourist areas.
Trade-offs
Prices change quickly, making budgets hard to plan. Earthquakes are a real risk, and Istanbul's traffic and crowds can be exhausting.
Before you move: visa-free entry
Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:
United States90 days
United Kingdom90 days
Australia90 days
Canada90 days
New Zealand90 days
Switzerland90 days
Norway90 days
Singapore90 days
Japan90 days
South Korea90 days
Israel90 days
United Arab Emirates90 days
Hong Kong90 days
South Africae-Visa · 30 d
Mexicoe-Visa · 30 d
Brazil90 days
Questions
Does Turkey have a digital nomad visa?
Yes. Turkey offers: Digital Nomad Visa (Digital Nomad Identification Certificate).
How much money do I need to live in Turkey?
A single person can live on from about $1,420 a month. A one-bedroom flat costs about $600 a month.
How can I move to Turkey?
The routes we have checked are: Digital nomad visa, Work permit, Student visa, Investment and golden visa.
When was this information checked?
The residence routes for Turkey were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
Sources and last check
Residence routes for Turkey were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
- GoTürkiye — Application requirements for digital nomad visa and short-term residence
- GoTürkiye — Digital nomads
- Presidency of Migration Management — e-İkamet portal
- https://e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr/
This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.
