Topic

Government & Law

Understanding the legal and governmental systems of an expat living in Turkey can be confusing. That’s why we’ve put together some expert guides to help you know the government and law in Turkey, including information on everything from the political system to LGBT+ rights.

51 articles

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Government & Law 29 Apr 2025

Understanding The Role Of Immigration Lawyers In Turkey

Learn how an immigration lawyer in Turkey can ease your move, navigate legal hurdles, and ensure compliance with Turkish immigration laws.

19 Apr 2025

How To Choose The Best Residency Advisor In Turkey

Make your move to Turkey stress-free by choosing the right residency advisor. Get expert help with legalities, paperwork, and cultural insights.

9 Apr 2025

Top Challenges Expats Face When Applying For Turkish Residency

Discover the key challenges expats face when applying for a Turkish residence permit and how to overcome them for a smooth legal stay.

2 Apr 2025

Simple Steps For Moving To Turkey Without Hassle

Thinking of moving to Turkey? Discover practical steps, legal tips, and cultural insights to ensure a smooth and stress-free relocation.

14 Mar 2025

Turkey’s 2025 Health Insurance - New Fees and Regulations

Starting April 1, 2025, Turkey’s mandatory health insurance for residence permits will include higher coverage limits, sudden illness protection, and increased fees.

3 Mar 2025

How to Renew Your Turkish Residence Permit

Renew your Turkish residence permit with basics like passport & insurance—plus permit-specific docs. Submit online & schedule an appointment!

11 Feb 2025

How to Activate PTT UETS (Alıcı) via E-Devlet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Enable PTT UETS (Alıcı) via E-Devlet. Follow our step-by-step guide for secure electronic notifications and official communications easily.

31 Jan 2025

Complete Guide to Health Insurance for Expats in Turkey

Discover essential health insurance options for expats in Turkey. Learn how to choose the best plan, apply, and access healthcare with confidence.

29 Jan 2025

Steps to Achieve Turkish Citizenship for Expats: Your Essential Guide

Learn how to obtain Turkish citizenship, from eligibility and required documents to the step-by-step application process and benefits of being a citizen.

17 Jan 2025

Understanding Turkey’s Residence Permit Codes (Type A–J)

Explore Turkey’s Residence Permit codes (Type A–J)—from research to investing. Start your seamless path to legal residence with Ikamet. Act now!

12 Jan 2025

How to Easily Apply for a Visa in Turkey: Steps and Tips for 2025

Learn about applying for Turkey's visas in 2025. Avoid common mistakes and streamline your application with our tips. Read on to know more!

12 Jul 2024

Who Can Get Married in Turkey? Legal Requirements Explained

Learn the legal requirements and necessary documentation for Turkish citizens and foreigners to get married in Turkey.

28 Jun 2024

Scheduling Appointments with Göç Randevu for Turkish Immigration

Learn about Göç Randevu, the new Turkish migration management system. Book appointments easily for residency and protection services.

9 Jan 2024

Understanding Turkey's Immigration Restriction Codes and Deportation Rules

Explore the intricacies of Turkey's immigration laws, including restriction codes, deportation cases, and legal pathways for foreigners.

16 Jul 2023

Istanbul Residence Permit: Are Applications by Foreigners still Accepted?

Beware! False claims spread on social media: Istanbul's 39 districts allegedly ending foreign residency permits, risking expats' status.

3 Jun 2023

UETS: How to enroll in Turkey’s National Electronic Notification System

UETS: Simplified enrollment process for Turkey's National Electronic Notification System. Stay informed and connected effortlessly.

4 Feb 2023

What is a Notice?

Legal notice? Legal proceedings affecting a party's rights and obligations must be disclosed. As a result, it is a court-ordered notification.

4 Feb 2023

What is an Eviction Undertaking? Tahliye Taahhütnamesi?

The Eviction Undertaking is a legal document that both the landlord and the tenant sign after the rental agreement is done and delivered in some cases.

26 Jan 2023

What Happens after 100 Penalty Points

Careless driving puts us and other people at danger. A system of points is used to ensure drivers obey the law. How do points function, exactly?

14 Jan 2023

Finding the Correct Legal Address in Turkey: Tips and Tricks

Learn how to find and format your Turkish mailing address, including PTT and shipping companies, and how to validate it on the government site.

11 Dec 2022

Hiring a Nanny in Turkey: A Guide for Expats

Find tips on types of nannies, how to find and hire a nanny, costs, contracts, and important considerations for expats hiring a nanny in Turkey.

21 Nov 2022

The Advantages of Turkey's Rent Regulation for Tenants

Guide for Turkish tenants: Understand Rent Regulations and tackle unwelcome increases. Expert advice to protect your rights. 🏠

7 Oct 2022

Closed to Foreigners: Eight More Istanbul Neighbourhoods

Istanbul's Küçükçekmece, Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Sultangazi, Esenler, Esenyurt, Fatih, and Zeytinburnu districts are closed.

27 Aug 2022

In Turkey, How to Obtain a Turkish Resident Permit

Turkey annually issues about one million Ikamet residence permit permission cards to foreigners. It is possible to live and work in the country.

3 Aug 2022

New e-Devlet Service Allows Foreigners to Register Addresses Online

The Turkish government recently announced on its website and sent out texts to inform the public that it would be introducing a new online service that would allow foreign nationals to skip queues at government offices and instead apply online for some address registrations. In essence, the rollout allows foreigners to make address registration/change applications via e-devlet in specific circumstances. Keep reading to learn more about what this may mean to you or your family. What Has Change

1 Jul 2022

Turkey Closes 1,169 Neighborhoods to Foreign Residence

Turkey has closed 1,169 neighborhoods to foreigners seeking Turkish residence permits. The move is aimed at reducing the number of foreign nationals living in certain areas of the country.

14 Jun 2022

How to Write a Good Travel Itinerary for First-Time Turkish Residence Applications

As you may already be aware, detailed travel itineraries or travel plans were recently made mandatory for first-time residency applications in Turkey. In addition, on rare occasions when you want to renew your residence permit—depending on the region you live in in Turkey—you may also be asked to submit a travel itinerary. You may have questions about Turkey travel itinerary templates and what you may need to create a good travel itinerary that will be accepted by Turkish immigration officials.

11 Jun 2022

Turkey to Introduce Foreigner Limit to 1200 Neighbourhoods From July 1

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu made some important announcements at a recent press briefing addressing “migration” at the Immigration Administration (GİGM) Conference Hall in Ankara on June 11. Among the most pressing issues the minister touched on were address registration practices, residence permits, and illegal migrants. On July 1, a New Foreign Resident Limit Will Take Effect. Minister Soylu said that Turkey would be introducing a new practice regarding residency from July onwards. He

21 May 2022

Turkey Closes 781 Neighborhoods to Foreigners, Addresses

In the most recent few months, Turkey has reiterated that it will be limiting the number of neighborhoods or areas that foreign nationals can reside in or use as their registered address. This move is expected to take place in the coming months. Most recently, it did so by publishing a list of Istanbul neighborhoods that would no longer accept new address registrations or address adjustments for residence permits from non-Turkish nationals. These neighborhoods were on the list. These municipali

9 May 2022

Letter of Intent: How to Use a Hotel in Turkey as Your Address

Since the implementation of the national address registration system (Adres Kayıt Sistemi-AKS) by the Turkish government in 2006, all foreign nationals visiting or residing in Turkey have been required to submit proof of their residence on the system. Even if you own real estate in Turkey or are renting a place, your title deed (TAPU) and/or rental contract can serve as sufficient proof of your residence address, which is the most important requirement for getting a residence permit in the coun

8 May 2022

How To Write a Consent Letter for Your Child in Turkey: Travel

A consent letter shows that a child has permission from every parent or guardian who is not going on the trip to travel or live outside their home country.

8 May 2022

Turkey Introduces $75,000 Minimum on Property for Foreigner Residence Permits

Discover Turkey's new $75,000 minimum requirement for foreigner residence permits. Explore property options and exciting opportunities.

24 Apr 2022

Address Registration in Istanbul: Which Migration Office is in Charge of Which District?

Foreigners are no longer able to register their addresses with NUFUS offices in Istanbul. Migration Management now handles these operations.

13 Mar 2022

What to Do When Your Residence Permit Application Is Rejected in Turkey

How to appeal and what to do if your permit has expired. Hire a skilled lawyer to preserve your rights.

9 Mar 2022

Turkey Reintroduces Tourist Declaration Forms and Fingerprint Collection for Some Nationalities

Certain nationalities, primarily those from non-OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries, will be required to submit tourist declaration forms and their fingerprints will be collected by migration officials upon their entrance to Turkey, according to the latest update from the migration department. The Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management took the decision after determining that a number of foreign nationals were overstaying their visits in Turkey f

4 Mar 2022

25% Rule: Certain Neighborhoods, Provinces Restricted to Foreigner Settlement in Turkey

As Turkey becomes an ever-attractive country for expats and immigrants, it is easy to see that certain areas in the country are disproportionately favored by foreigners. With such areas at the risk of becoming overpopulated, the Turkish migration department has been reminding foreign residents of the 25% rule. What Is the 25% Rule? According to Turkish law, in any given region in Turkey, the population of foreign nationals settled in or temporarily living in that area must not exceed 25% of t

18 Feb 2022

What Questions Will You Be Asked When Requesting a Residency Permit for Tourism Purposes

Prepare for your Turkey residency permit interview with our guide to common questions and tips for a smooth application process.

10 Feb 2022

Turkey Updates Requirements for Foreigners’ Residence Permit Applications

Throughout your residence permit application in Turkey, you may come across certain obstacles which may require you to go back and forth between several government offices and make you lose precious time. With regulations changing often and new requirements being added to set a nationwide standard for Turkish residence permit applications, you may feel as if you are in a losing battle. Do not fret. We, at Ikamet, are here to keep you updated on the latest changes and guide you through your tim

3 Oct 2021

What Is a Taahhütname

A taahhütname, which can best be translated as a letter of undertaking, is a legal document you may need in certain situations to prove your intent to do something to Turkish officials. The Arabic word "taahhüt" means declaration, undertaking, or commitment, and "name" translates to letter. The contents of a taahhütname change depending on the circumstances but usually contain clauses or promise to fulfill a commitment or remedy any wrongdoings. There are also usually mentions of a penalty if y

21 Aug 2021

Consequences of Overstaying on a Turkish Visa

Staying past the expected departure date under the terms of your Turkish visa can carry serious consequences. Foreigners Who Violate the Right to Legal Stay Prohibition of entry, which is applied to the foreigners who violate the right to legal stay in our country; violating their visa, visa exemption, residence permit, work permit, or work permit exemption, within the context of article 9 under the title “Entry ban to Turkey” on Foreigners and International Protection Law numbered 6458, dated

27 Jun 2021

How to File a Complaint in Turkey as a Foreigner Resident

Suppose you want to know how to lodge a formal complaint in Turkey for purchases as consumers, your bank, or tour operator. How to file a lawsuit for all related matters, keep on reading. Filing a Complaint as a Consumer As a foreigner, you have the same consumer protection rights as a Turkish national, including the right to return goods. According to Turkish law, consumers can return the purchased product within 14 days without giving any reason, provided that the goods are not damaged, an

6 Jun 2021

How to Register Your Address in Turkey

Foreigners in Turkey must register their address for essential services like renewing residence permits, opening bank accounts, and utility setup.

23 May 2021

Obtaining a Long-Term Residence Permit in Turkey

Discover the requirements, documents needed, and process for applying for a long-term residence permit in Turkey. Find out more here.

28 Mar 2021

How to Apply for Turkish Citizenship via Property Investment

Discover how to obtain Turkish citizenship by investing in property, including steps, requirements, and necessary documents for a smooth application process.

21 Mar 2021

How to Apply for Turkish Citizenship: General Application via Work

Learn how to apply for Turkish citizenship through work and residency with our comprehensive guide on requirements, documents, and application steps.

8 Feb 2021

Notary Basics in Turkey: Understanding Apostilles

State-certified notaries attest to document signature: Notarize wills, mortgages, and bank transactions. Legal papers require notaries.

30 Jan 2021

Residential Tenancies Act – Reference Guide for Foreigners

First Time Tenant Guide To Renting Knowing your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord is crucial to avoid headaches later on. Current laws and regulations lean more in favor of the tenant, and recent amendments have made it harder for landlords to evict tenants. Most rental agreements in Turkey are carried out via real estate agents, which means you won't have to worry about drawing one up. Although the Turkish Law of Obligations doesn't mandate written contracts, you should ref

9 Jan 2021

E-Devlet: How to Join Turkey’s E-government Service Portal as a Foreigner

Chances are you have heard the word e-devlet mentioned at least once while in Turkey. But what is this e-devlet? It's a convenient digital portal where Turkish citizens and non-citizens (i.e., foreigners holding residence permits) can find important information about their health insurance (SGK), taxes, residency procedures, traffic fines, and a whole range of other topics. In a nutshell, it is a government gateway that stores all your details and gives you access to (almost) all public servi

12 Nov 2020

How to Apply for a Tax Identification Number in Turkey

Complete guide on obtaining a Turkish tax ID for foreigners, covering online and in-person application processes and essential FAQs.

8 Nov 2020

How to Bring Your Own Car Into Turkey as a Foreigner

Learn the process, requirements, and steps to bring your car into Turkey as a foreigner, including necessary documents and legal considerations.

11 Jan 2020

Get a Tax Identification Number in Turkey

Residence Permit helps you get your tax ID number. Our sales agents will help you during the process. You just need to give a copy of your passport to our sales agent. They will apply for your tax ID number for you in your name. What is the Tax ID Number? A Tax Identification Number is a nine-digit number assigned to individuals for financial issues. Foreigners should have a tax number to be able to open a bank account which they will need for buying a property in Turkey. Turkish Tax ID Numb

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