Türkiye: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-10
Path to citizenship
Naturalisation by residence is at the state's discretion, not a right; over the 5 years you may spend no more than 180 days outside Türkiye. A short-term residence permit based on a lease has become much harder to obtain and renew, and a property-based permit requires property worth at least $200,000. In August 2026 Türkiye revoked more than 6,000 citizenships obtained through investment because of fraud.
- • 5 years of continuous residence, basic Turkish, discretionary decision
- • 3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen
- • Investment from $400,000 in property with an obligation not to sell for 3 years
Citizenship application processing, years: 1–2.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | TRY 48,000≈ €856 | TRY 125,000≈ €2,230 |
| Izmir | TRY 37,800≈ €674 | TRY 104,000≈ €1,850 |
| Ankara | TRY 35,800≈ €639 | TRY 100,000≈ €1,790 |
| Alanya | TRY 32,700≈ €584 | TRY 94,300≈ €1,680 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety63
- Earning potential73
- Healthcare76
- Path to citizenship67
- Schools and education50
- Environment14
- Warm, sunny climate73
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in Türkiye, and how long does it take?
5 years of continuous residence, basic Turkish, discretionary decision; 3 years of marriage to a Turkish citizen; investment from $400,000 in property with an obligation not to sell for 3 years. Processing takes 1–2 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in Türkiye?
The main routes we cover: Short-term residence permit; work-based residence permit; Student residence permit; Family residence permit (marriage to a Turkish citizen); Investment from $400,000. The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in Türkiye per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: Istanbul ≈ TRY 48,000 / TRY 125,000; Izmir ≈ TRY 37,800 / TRY 104,000; Ankara ≈ TRY 35,800 / TRY 100,000; Alanya ≈ TRY 32,700 / TRY 94,300. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026.
How much is rent in Türkiye?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: Istanbul TRY 18,400–TRY 29,900; Izmir TRY 13,100–TRY 21,400; Ankara TRY 11,800–TRY 19,200; Alanya TRY 9,600–TRY 15,600.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 10.2026; budget as of 10.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.