Moving to another country, and in particular to Turkey, is a serious process for which you need to prepare and know all the nuances. Legal support will help you do this. Learn more about the benefits of a personal lawyer and useful tips

Are you planning to move to Turkey? Get legal advice from a local specialist in visa and migration issues

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Moving and living in a new country is always associated with certain difficulties. Expats need to obtain a residence permit, find housing, work, and study the specifics of the legislation of the future country of residence, because in addition to changing the culture and language environment, there are a number of difficulties that will affect your everyday life - taxes, health insurance, financial transactions, etc.

In recent years, more and more expats choose to move to Turkey, because the country has a low cost of living, beautiful landscapes, a good climate and a friendly population.

However, Turkish legislation has its own peculiarities. According to experts, representatives of Turkish law firms, for many foreigners getting to know the Turkish bureaucracy can be an unpleasant challenge. In Turkey, the bureaucracy system is long-term, often there is no communication between departments or a single system. Regardless of what you are planning: to issue a residence permit, purchase real estate, open a business, obtain a tax number and pay taxes, buy a car, open an account or purchase insurance - any procedure requires detailed preparation and familiarization with the peculiarities of Turkish law.

Complex bureaucratic processes require the help of a Turkish lawyer. Also, many expats prefer to contact an English-Speaking lawyer in Turkey to avoid the difficulties of the language barrier.

Read more about the legal difficulties that expats in Turkey may face and how to overcome them in our article.

Read more about healthcare in Turkey for expats and foreigners, as well as health insurance and medical tourism here.

E-Devlet: How to join Turkey's e-government service portal - read here.

Investing in Turkey: the best opportunities for foreigners - details here.

How to move to Turkey?

Global migration processes in recent years demonstrate that more and more foreigners consider Turkey as a country for permanent residence.

Anyone wishing to move to Turkey for more than 90 days must apply for a Turkish visa. The type of visa depends on the purpose of the trip to Turkey. In addition to the visa, you must also apply for turkey residence permit. Without a residence permit, you will be in the country illegally.

You can become a citizen of the country if a foreigner lives in Turkey continuously for five years or if you marry a Turkish citizen, then you will be eligible for citizenship after three years.

The most popular ways to immigrate to Turkey are to move to work, study or to reunite with family. Also, although there is no special Turkey digital nomad visa, foreigners who are interested in working remotely can apply for a visa and move to any city in Turkey, subject to compliance with immigration regulations.

One of the most important steps in any international move is the selection of documents that you will need for successful immigration and permanent residence registration. You can consult with an turkish immigration lawyer, a specialist will help you understand the deadlines for processing documents and the intricacies of the country's legislation.

Read more about obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment here.

Immigration to Turkey: what to consider before moving to Turkey from the UK - read here.

Investment programs in Turkey for foreigners

The program for obtaining Turkish citizenship in exchange for investments is one of the most popular among investors.

Foreigners can get Turkey residency by investment in the country's economy from $400,000. Five investment options are available: buying real estate, investing in business, buying government bonds, buying shares of investment funds or opening a deposit in a Turkish bank.

The most popular option among investors is the purchase of real estate, because housing prices in Turkey are growing by 15-25% per hour.

Together with the investor, family members can obtain citizenship in Turkey: spouse and children.

Turkish citizenship has many advantages: visa-free travel to 110 countries of the world, a Schengen visa for 5 years, an E-2 business visa or a B-1/B-2 visa in the USA, a reduction in taxes. Also, the investor and his children are exempted from military service.

To participate in the investment program, a foreigner must submit a package of documents (depending on the chosen investment option) for himself and family members. All documents must be notarized, translated and confirmed at the Turkish embassy. The procedure is rather complicated and requires appropriate legal assistance.

Buying real estate in Turkey

The demand for real estate in Turkey is growing every year, the country is the absolute leader in the growth rate of housing costs, ahead of the USA, Japan, Iceland, and Canada. Over the past 12 years, the cost of housing in Turkey has increased by 641.15%. According to experts, the most significant increase in prices is observed in Istanbul and on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (Alania, Antalya). Such high growth rates of real estate in Turkey make it a profitable object for investment. However, buying property in Turkey has pitfalls: choose a good area for the location of the real estate, conduct an analysis of the object, contract, housing documents. Accompanying the agreement from an English-speaking lawyer will make it possible to carry out the procedure of buying real estate without complications.

Do you want to learn more about obtaining residence permit or citizenship through real estate investment in Turkey? Follow this link.

Starting a business in Turkey

Foreigners have the right to establish and manage companies in Turkey on the same level as citizens of the country. Opening a business in Turkey has a certain number of advantages, because the Republic of Turkey is a state with a stable economy that is developing rapidly. The country's government also actively supports the development of the business sector in Turkey. The main advantages of company establish Turkey include: a favorable exchange rate of the Turkish lira for exports, the availability of qualified labor, a duty-free zone with the European Union, and free economic zones in Turkey itself.

The procedure for company registration in Turkey may differ from the rules established in your country of residence. It is worth noting that regardless of whether you plan to start a small or a large business, it is not an easy process. The first step to starting a business should be to research the business environment in which you want to establish a company. Also, it would be useful for a foreign business owner to find a reliable law firm that will help open their own business and conduct business activities in accordance with current Turkish law.

Bank account in Turkey

Before registering a company in Turkey, it is necessary to open a bank account. It is needed for carrying out financial transactions, contributing share capital, etc. Opening a bank account can be handled by a company representative or a qualified lawyer.

Foreigners living in Turkey may also need a bank account. To open a bank account, an individual needs a copy of the passport, a Turkish tax number, bank forms and a utility bill. The whole procedure takes about an hour, it can also be done online on the bank's official websites.

The process of opening a bank account for a non-resident of Turkey can seem difficult without professional help. All formalities related to a bank account for individuals or start-ups in Turkey can be explained and properly executed only by a team of experienced lawyers.

Debt collection in Turkey

When conducting business in Turkey, businesses may encounter Turkish counterparties who cannot or simply refuse to pay their debts. In connection with this, the supplier may have serious difficulties in his work. However, the norms of Turkish legislation provide for certain methods that force the debtor to pay bills - these are articles of the Commercial Code, the Bankruptcy Law, etc. A team of experienced lawyers will help in signing a settlement agreement or conducting a court proceeding.

Turkey trust

The Turkish Civil Code provides various ways in which the citizens of the country can protect their assets. However, Turkish law does not prescribe one of the most common methods of asset protection, which is available in most European countries: the creation of a trust fund. An analogue of a trust in Turkey is a private foundation. Also, foreign citizens who move to Turkey have the right to create a trust in their countries. The Turkish tax system will not affect these trusts. For complete information on setting up trusts in Turkey, consult local lawyers.

Turkish legislation has many peculiarities, so legal support may be needed by an expat at any stage of organizing a move and arranging life in Turkey. To resolve all issues quickly and in accordance with current legislation, contact an experienced team of English-speaking lawyers in Turkey.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Turkey;

Lawyer and accountant for business in Turkey;

Personal lawyer services in Turkey;

Travel and Medical Insurance for foreigners in Turkey;

Insurance for international students in Turkey.