Living in Turkey
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Turkey, including guidance on residency, healthcare and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Turkey. Read about how the British Embassy Ankara and British Consulate General Istanbul can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Turkish authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad (https://www.gov.uk/moving-or-retiring-abroad
To stay up to date, follow the British Embassy Ankara social media channels:
Before you go
See our travel advice for Turkey for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies. Also see the overseas business risk guide for Turkey
Find out how to travel abroad safely in the travel aware guidance.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Turkey in our travel advice.
See how to apply for a visa to enter Turkey:
British Citizens travelling to Turkey for tourist or business purposes are able to travel without a visa for visits of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
If you plan to remain in Turkey for a period of more than 90 days, you should either apply for a longer stay visa before you travel, or get a residence permit from the local authorities in Turkey before your 90 day stay has elapsed. If you intend to work in Turkey, ensure you have the correct permits. More information is available from the Turkish Ministry of Interior. If you do not abide by the terms of your visa or permit, you may be fined, deported and banned from re-entering the country.
If you’re entering Turkey via a land border crossing, make sure your passport has a dated entry stamp before you leave the border crossing area.
If you hold a different type of British nationality (e.g. British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person, British Subject or British Overseas Territories Citizen), check visa requirements with the Turkish Consulate General before you travel. These types of passport are classed as ‘UK Special Passports’ in the Turkish e-Visa system. You will need to apply for a visa from the Turkish Consulate General before you travel.
You can find more detail about the requirements for entry into Turkey on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If you plan to stay in Turkey longer than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit before the 90 days ends or apply for a longer-stay visa before you travel – see information about residence permits.
You will need a residence permit to import your personal belongings or car – we recommend you contact the Turkish Consulate General in London for information.
You do not need a residence permit if you hold a valid work permit – see work permit as a residence permit.
If you are required to provide UK criminal records as part of your residence permit application, contact ACRO Criminal Records Office.
Passports and travel
If you are a resident in Turkey, your passport must be valid for six months from the date you arrive. You can find more detail about the requirements for entry into Turkey on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Check with your travel provider to make sure your passport and other travel documents meet their requirements.
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Turkey https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports.
Check the Turkey travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Healthcare in Turkey
Turkey and the UK do not have reciprocal healthcare agreements. You should buy comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you enter the country.
European Health Insurance Cards (EHICs) and Global Health Insurance Cards (GHICs) are not valid in Turkey. For further information on GHIC and in which countries they are valid, see Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
You should also make sure you’re covered by health insurance for UK treatment or you’ll be charged by the NHS for any care you receive in the UK.
The NHS has information for people moving abroad.
You can find English-speaking doctors in Turkey. You should also check your prescriptions are legal in Turkey.
You can join the Universal Health Insurance if you have been resident for 1 year or more with a residence permit that is still valid. Married couples may qualify for joint membership where one is the policyholder and the other is the dependant spouse. However, a British national who receives a UK state pension can only be a member of the scheme as a policyholder, not as a dependant spouse. You should contact your local social security institution office for more information on the scheme.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Turkey. NOTE: UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Turkey. Certain medicines may not be available in Turkey (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Turkey to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the NHS guidance on taking medicines abroad if you need to travel with medicines
Working in Turkey
If you are planning to move to Turkey and work, you may need a visa. Read the Turkey government’s guidance on working in Turkey as a foreign national:
Some jobs may require a UK criminal records check (known as a DBS check).
See how to apply for a Turkish work permit. You must apply for a work permit from the UK at the nearest consulate (London or Edinburgh). You will need to make an appointment at the consulate and both you and your employer will need to submit information.
Employees in Turkey must pay part of their earnings into the Turkish Social Security Scheme (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, SGK). However, British nationals working in Turkey but paying UK National Insurance contributions do not have to contribute to SGK because there are reciprocal social security agreements between the UK and Turkey.
To apply for a job you may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Turkey.
Studying in Turkey
If you plan to study in Turkey, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Turkey to check what fees you have to pay.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Turkey so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
Turkey: tax treaties
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Turkey.Find an English-speaking lawyer in Turkey.
The following guidance on tax may be useful:
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paying National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances
Benefits
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
If you contribute to the Turkish Social Security Scheme (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, SGK), you, your spouse and your children are insured for:
- work injuries and work-related illnesses
- medical care
- illness and pregnancy care
Only Turkish citizens can get disability benefit.
Pensions
Read state pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Turkey, you can claim your UK state pension or new UK state pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information.
Life certificates for UK state pensions
If you get a `life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
The currency in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL).
When exchanging money, you should always use official money exchange offices or banks, as possession and use of counterfeit money is considered a very serious crime in Turkey and may lead to prosecution.
Foreign nationals can set up a bank account in Turkey. You will need a unique Foreigner’s Identification Number (issued by civil registration offices, administered by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior) or Tax Identification Number (issued by tax offices, and administered by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Finance). For further information please visit your bank in person or check your bank`s website.
Accommodation and buying property
If you are considering buying a property then the following guidance may help you:
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how to buy property in Turkey(PDF,4.8MB)
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Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs How to buy property in Turkey
Driving in Turkey
For information on what you must do to drive legally in Turkey, driving rules, travelling by road, driving license rules and international driving permits please see Road Travel. If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (eg the DVLA)
If you wish to take your vehicle with you, see Vehicles out of UK
For useful information about bringing your vehicle into Turkey, see frequently asked questions on accompanied vehicles
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Turkey, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.
Voting
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership
Births
If your child is born in Turkey you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate.
If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport. https://www.gov.uk/get-a-child-passport/first-child-passport.
You can also find out if you can apply for citizenship if you have a British parent.
Deaths
If someone dies in Turkey read our guidance on:
Marriage and civil partnership
Read guidance on getting married abroad.
Pets
If you’re moving to Turkey with your pet, read the taking your pet abroad guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations.
To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.
If you are travelling to the UK with your pet please see the bringing your pet to Great Britain page.
Emergencies
Dial 112 for any type of emergency including the police, ambulance or fire brigade.
Dial 112 to report a missing child.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Turkey, read the Turkey: information for victims of rape and sexual assault and victim of rape and sexual assault abroad guidance.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact your nearest British Embassy or Consulate UK help and services in Turkey.
Read the international parental child abduction guidance if your child may be at risk of this.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 9 August 2023 + show all updates
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Covid-19 related part is no longer in use
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This guide has been reviewed and updated. June 2023
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Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Coronavirus vaccine-related link added
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change of FCO to FCDO
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Some invalid links were renewed
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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Residence Permits section is amended
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"Driving licences" part is updated
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Information about the residency permits is updated
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"Residency permits" part is amended due to the updates
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Updated guidance on Living in Turkey
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Update on "entry and residence requirements"
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Updates on "entry and residence requirements".
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update
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First published.