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_480x360.jpg "How to get a long-term residence permit (ikamet)")
A long-term residence permit (uzun dönem ikamet izni) is granted to foreigners who have lived in Turkey with a residence permit for at least 8 years in a row. It does not need to be renewed, and its rights are close to those of citizens: holders cannot vote, do military service or hold public office.
You can apply for a long-term residence permit if you:
1. have resided in Turkey minimum for eight years uninterruptedly with a residence permit; short-term, family and other permits count in full, and a student permit counts as half.
2. have a valid health insurance (state SGK or private).
3. have sufficient and regular income for yourself and your family and have not received social assistance in the last 3 years. A pension in your home country is one way to prove such income.
4. do not pose a threat to public order or security.
How the 8 years are counted. The period is counted back from the application date. According to Turkish lawyers, trips abroad of more than 6 months in a year or more than a year in total over the last 5 years may be treated as a break, so long absences are best checked with a consultant in advance. Holders of a humanitarian residence permit or international or temporary protection cannot obtain a long-term permit.
| Condition | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Residence period | At least 8 years in a row; a student permit counts as half |
| Insurance | Valid health insurance, state or private |
| Income | Sufficient and regular, with no social assistance in the last 3 years |
| Trips abroad | Long absences may break the residence period |
| What it gives | No renewals; rights close to those of citizens, except voting, military service and public office |
| When it can be cancelled | If you live abroad for more than a year in a row without a valid reason (treatment, study, service) |
How can a foreigner become a pensioner in Turkey:
1. If you are already a pensioner, you need to confirm this status via your consulate.
2. Or work for 20 years as any other Turkish resident and when you are 60 years old, you get A Turkish pension.
3. Or pay for an insurance for over 3600 days and wait when you turn 60 years old.
Points 2 and 3 describe the conditions for a Turkish pension, not for a long-term residence permit. For those first insured in Turkey after October 2008, the general rule is 7,200 days of contributions, and the retirement age is gradually rising to 65. The exact conditions depend on when the insurance started, so it is best to check them with the SGK.
If you are just starting on the path to long-term status, you will first need a regular ikamet. We have explained separately what applying for your first residence permit involves. Those who want a passport should compare a long-term permit with citizenship after five years of residence.
For a first property-based residence permit, the apartment must have a TAPU price of USD 200,000 or more. Apartments in completed Yekta Homes complexes in Mahmutlar start from EUR 139,000, and apartments in Kingdom Premium, for example, meet this threshold, with prices from EUR 190,000 according to the October 2026 catalogue.
"Buyers who are moving for the long term often ask about a long-term permit right away. We advise keeping all your residence permit cards from the first year and avoiding gaps between them: apply for renewal in advance, 60 days before expiry, and after 8 years your residence period will be uninterrupted," says a sales manager at Yekta Homes.
Contents:
Who a long-term residence permit may not suit
- Those who live in Turkey only part of the year. Long absences can break the residence period and, after the status is granted, lead to its cancellation.
- Those who need a Turkish passport. A long-term permit does not give the right to vote and does not replace citizenship; there are separate routes to a passport.
- Those who do not yet have 8 years of residence. Until then, you will need to renew a regular residence permit.
Each of these situations is visible in advance. The solution is to plan trips abroad, renew your residence permit on time or choose a route to citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
How many years do you need to live in Turkey for a long-term residence permit?
At least 8 years in a row with a residence permit. A student permit counts as half.
Do you need to be a pensioner to get a long-term residence permit?
No. You need sufficient and regular income, and a pension is just one way to prove it.
Does a long-term residence permit need to be renewed?
No, but it can be cancelled if you live abroad for more than a year in a row without a valid reason.
How does a long-term residence permit differ from citizenship?
Holders cannot vote, do military service or hold public office, and it does not give a Turkish passport.
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