Turkey (TR)

The Tax Identification Number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası / VKN) is the single most important first document for any foreigner in Turkey. Required for: opening a bank account, buying property, buying a car, getting a SIM card, signing a rental contract, any financial transaction, and many government processes. Obtained from any Vergi Dairesi (Tax Office) or online at ivd.gib.gov.tr with just your passport. FREE and takes approximately 15 minutes. Do this on day one — it is the key that unlocks almost every other process in Turkey.

A 99-series 11-digit identification number issued to foreigners who obtain a residence permit (ikamet izni). Starts with the digit 9. Functions as your primary identification number in Turkey once issued — used for healthcare, banking, utilities, and official interactions. Issued automatically when your ikamet izni is approved. Before getting your ikamet, you use your VKN (tax number) and passport for identification.

Valid passport is required for entry into Turkey, applying for a residence permit (ikamet izni), opening a bank account, getting a VKN tax number, and all official processes. Keep your passport current throughout your stay. Non-EU passports require a valid entry stamp or e-visa. Turkey is not in Schengen — your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.

The residence permit (İkamet İzni) is required for stays over 90 days in Turkey. Apply through the İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü (Provincial Directorate of Migration Management / Göç İdaresi) website at ikamet.goc.gov.tr before your 90-day visa-free period expires. There are several types: Kısa Dönem (Short-Term — for property owners, language students, remote workers); Öğrenci İkamet İzni (Student); Aile İkamet İzni (Family). Appointments in Istanbul are heavily backlogged (2–4 months) — apply immediately on arrival. CRITICAL: overstaying triggers a ban from Turkey.

Registration of your address in Turkey at the Nüfus Müdürlüğü (Population Directorate). Required for many government processes and to receive correspondence from authorities. Landlords must provide a notarised rental contract (noter onaylı kira sözleşmesi) to enable address registration. Without registered address, many bureaucratic processes cannot proceed.

A rental contract (kira sözleşmesi) notarised at a Noter (Notary Public). Required for address registration, applying for some residence permit types, and utilities registration. In Turkey, notarisation is much more common than in Western Europe — many official processes require notarised documents. A noter is found in every district. Fee: approximately TRY 500–1,500 depending on contract value.

The password for Turkey's e-Devlet (e-Government) portal at edevlet.gov.tr — Turkey's comprehensive online government services system. Obtained from any PTT (postal service) branch by presenting your YKN/VKN and passport. Alternatively, use mobile signature (mobil imza) from your GSM operator. Once registered, e-Devlet allows access to tax records, social security, residence permits status, and hundreds of government services. Essential for any resident.

Social Security Institution (Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu / SGK) registration — required for formal employment in Turkey. Your employer must register you with SGK before or on your first day of work. SGK membership covers health insurance (Genel Sağlık Sigortası — GSS), pension accrual, and work injury insurance. Without SGK registration, you have no access to public healthcare. Self-employed persons can register as voluntary SGK contributor.

Required for family residence permits, citizenship applications, registering children in Turkish schools, and various bureaucratic processes. Must typically be apostilled and officially translated into Turkish by a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman). Turkey is a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.

Required for family reunification residence permits, adding spouse to health insurance, and property-related transactions. Must be apostilled and officially translated into Turkish. Turkish marriage abroad must be registered at the Turkish Consulate.

DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu — Natural Disaster Insurance Institution) earthquake insurance is MANDATORY for all registered residential properties in Turkey. Required to obtain utility connections (electricity, gas) at a property. Approximately TRY 1,500–5,000/year depending on location and building type. Istanbul and much of western Turkey are in high seismic zones. This is a real risk — the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake killed over 50,000 people.

Proof of health insurance is required for some residence permit applications. Options: private international health insurance (required for short-term residence permits), voluntary SGK/GSS enrollment (~€50–100/month), or coverage through formal employment. Private international health insurance providers widely used by expats: Allianz Care, Cigna Global, Axa PPP International.

Required for work permit (çalışma izni) applications, regulated profession registration, and some residence permit types. Must be apostilled and officially translated into Turkish. Regulated professions (doctors, dentists, lawyers, engineers, architects) require formal recognition (denklik) from the relevant Turkish authority.