Relocation Process in Turkey: Step-by-Step Guide for Foreigners
On this page, you will find explanations about professional services related to the relocation process and associated services in Turkey. If you live in Turkey and want to move to a new home or if you plan to come and live in Turkey from abroad, we take care of all the necessary procedures for you in Turkey.
Our firm’s advantage:
Our firm is a law firm specialising in foreign law. All your procedures are handled directly by a lawyer; you will not deal with a secretary or assistant. You can contact your personal lawyer by phone 24/7, weekdays and weekends and ask any questions you may have. The same lawyer personally monitors the entire process from first to last progress.
Our services include:
✅ Property search and selection, communication and negotiations with landlords, estate agent
✅ Preparation and signing of rental agreements, legal consultancy during rental-related disputes
✅ Assistance throughout move-in procedures
✅ Residential address registration for foreigners
✅ Residence & work permit applications in Turkey
✅ Family residence permit applications in Turkey
✅ Opening personal or corporate bank accounts
✅ Utility setup support (electricity, water, gas, internet)
✅ Tax number application and legal adress registrations
✅ Relocation support and settling-in assistance
✅ Coordination of home maintenance or repairs
✅ Long-term location support (school, hospital, insurance guidance)
Step-by-step relecotion process in Türkiye
1-Finding a new flat to move into
The first stage of the relocation process is finding a home to move into. Here, the area from which the property will be rented must be selected and the individual should not rent a property in one of the restricted areas for foreigners.
You can read our relevant article to learn about areas closed to foreigners in Turkey: https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/closed-addresses-for-foreigners/
Another important matter is that once a property has been found, the necessary discussions must be held with the estate agent and landlord, and all the necessary conditions must be discussed from the outset of the process. It is important to ensure that the process is conducted in accordance with the law.
Checking whether the property is suitable for foreigners, taking necessary precautions against excessive demands or potential scams by estate agents and landlords.
İmportant points for renting flat in Turkey;
✔️ Careful about restricted areas
✔️ Making contract acording to Migrant Office requirements
✔️ Checking property history
✔️ Points to note regarding the process of having the electricity turned on at your home
✔️ Assistance throughout move-in procedures
2- Preparation and signing of rental agreements, legal consultancy during rental-related disputes in Türkiye
Important point to note when you arrive in Turkey is that all procedures must be carried out in accordance with the rules of the immigration office. This is because the immigration office will have different conditions for foreigners regarding rental contracts, different types of agreements,living areas and different payment methods.
Things Foreigners Should Check When Renting a Property (Turkey – İstanbul);
✔️ Make sure the landlord is the legal owner (check the title deed).
✔️ Use a written rental contract (preferably bilingual).
✔️ Ensure the address can be registered for residence permit purposes. Make sure the previous tenant has had their address removed
✔️ Check if the property is eligible for foreign tenants.
✔️ Clarify the rent amount, currency and payment method.
✔️ Confirm the deposit amount and refund conditions.
✔️ Ask who pays utilities, maintenance and dues (aidat).
✔️ Verify the rental duration and termination terms.
✔️ Get receipts for all payments.
✔️ Avoid paying cash without a signed contract.
3- Assistance throughout move-in procedures in Turkey
We move your belongings to your new home without any hassle through our partner companies. We carefully collect and pack your belongings according to your wishes. It is important to note that you need to work with reliable people during the move.
Cleaning assistance
If you wish, we can clean your new home before you arrive and assist you in arranging your belongings. We fulfil your requests with our cleaning staff, whom we have been working with for years.
Things Foreigners Should Check When Using a Moving Company in Türkiye;
✔️ Choose a licensed and insured moving company.
✔️ Get a written quotation with all services included.
✔️ Confirm what is included/excluded (packing, assembly, floors, elevator).
✔️ Check if there is insurance for damage or loss.
✔️ Agree on the moving date and time in writing.
✔️ Ask about extra fees (stairs, long distance, waiting time).
✔️ Make sure the contract is clear and understandable.
✔️ Do not pay the full amount in advance.
4- Adress Registration ın Turkey
Foreign nationals must register their address with the Immigration Office. There are specific rules governing this process. Foreign must make an appointment and go to the Immigration Office with the necessary documents to register their address.
Before renting a property, the tenancy agreement and other procedures must be completed in accordance with the address registration system here.
If you do not register your address, your access to many services in Turkey will be restricted. You will not be able to open a bank account or enrol your child in school, for example.
Furthermore, if you do not register your address, you will encounter problems when extending your residence permit.
Adress registiration in Turkey : https://www.baltasglobal.com/en/address-registration-for-foreigners/
5- Registration in the national e-devlet system, opening a bank account
Registering with the electronic document management system used by the Turkish government will make things easier for you. With this system, you can obtain and use all documents online with barcodes without having to visit government offices.
After obtaining your residence permit card, you can register with the E-Devlet system by visiting any PTT address near you.
If you use our services for relocation, we represent you at the Immigration Office for address registration procedures and complete your address registration within one day without you having to visit the Immigration Office.
Opening a bank in Turkey has become quite difficult in recent years. Banks are unwilling to open accounts if they do not believe you are a customer who will bring them a lot of money. For this reason, you may need to visit several banks in the city where you are located, and you are likely to face numerous rejections. Additionally, you must also be registered in the national address registration system for the bank.
6- Utility bills setup support (electricity, water, gas, internet)
When you move into a new home, landlords expect you to take over all the bills your name. In this case, you must visit all the companies (electric, water, gas…) individually to transfer the bills to your name.
✍️ Note: To open an electricity account for foreigners in Turkey, you must first register your address. No one without an address registration can open the electricity for the flat they rent. In this case, you must plan accordingly before rent flat. In rentals we arrange for foreigners, we usually discuss with the landlords that the electricity should be left on for a period of about two months.
The important point here is that if you grant power of attorney to a solicitor, the solicitor will register the accounts in your name, and you will not need to visit the companies.
7- Residence & work permit applications in Turkey
Completing the necessary procedures with the Immigration Office regarding you and your family members during your relocation process to Turkey. Taking the necessary steps for your family members to integrate into Turkey.
✔️ Residence permit applications and renewals
✔️ Work permit applications
✔️ Family residence permits for spouses and children
✔️ Address registration and official notifications
✔️ Assistance with appointments at immigration offices
Why is it important for a foreigner to work with a trusted lawyer?
The rental contract you have signed or the property purchase you have made in Turkey will be the first step in building your life in Turkey. Your future proceedings will progress according to this first step. Immigration Office procedures, the future use of the rental contract, the connection of electricity to the property you have settled in, and issues such as tax and legal problems arising from an incorrectly drawn up rental contract may cause problems.
✍️ Example: “In Turkey, foreigners are required to register their address after obtaining their residence permit or work permit. When renting your property, the rental must be carried out in accordance with the rules set by the immigration authorities for address registration. If you do not discuss these conditions with your estate agent or landlord from the outset, the landlord or estate agents will not assist you later on.”
It is necessary to plan the process from the very beginning of the relocation. This is because your new home must be suitable for registering your address as a foreigner or must be located in one of the areas open to foreigners. You must also discuss payment methods, and it is necessary to confirm that the property is handed over in a fully clean condition during the rental period, as you must leave it in the same condition when you return it. You must take care of many details like this.
Foreigners cannot sign a standard rental contract like Turkish citizens; contracts must be notarised. Many such matters must be planned in advance and steps must be taken accordingly before any procedures are carried out.
Most of our foreign customers are unable to register their addresses due to incorrectly completed property rentals and also experience problems in situations such as extending their residence permits.
Your relocation process should comply with the rules of the Immigration Office and it would be in your best interest to have it handled by a lawyer specialising in foreign law.
Lawyer Cihat BALTAŞ
Lawyer Cihat BALTAŞ graduated from Police College in 2006, Police Academy in 2010, Yalova Law Faculty in 2016 with a degree and has worked and specialised in foreign law throughout his professional life. Cihat BALTAŞ, who is currently working as a lawyer in Kadıköy, Istanbul, is the founder of BaltaşGlobal law and consultancy office.
