Turkey (TR)
Turkey is a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, uniting 85 million people under a rich civilisational heritage stretching from the ancient Hittites and Romans to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire.
Leaving Turkey
How to properly exit — protecting your finances, rights and records.
📅 General Timeline
Recommended timeline when leaving Turkey: 3 months before: give rental notice; inform employer (work permit cancellation process); start tax affairs in order. 2 months before: cancel insurance policies; close unnecessary accounts; collect original documents (tapu/title deed, ikamet card, notarised documents). 1 month before: cancel utilities; forward mail; collect SGK contribution records. 2 weeks before: close bank accounts or ensure arrangements for remaining account. Last week: cancel SIM cards if desired; collect security deposit; deregister at municipality (optional but good practice). After departure: file final tax return by 31 March of following year if required; claim SGK contribution refund if eligible.
Deregistration
Turkey has no formal mandatory deregistration for departing foreigners. However, best practices: 1. Inform Göç İdaresi (Immigration Directorate) that you are leaving if you hold a residence permit — your permit will expire or be cancelled. 2. Notify your local Nüfus Müdürlüğü (Population Directorate) if you are registered at an address — remove your address registration to avoid administrative complications. 3. Cancel your ikamet izni card to avoid it being reported as lost/stolen later. 4. If you hold a work permit, your employer should formally notify the Ministry of Labour of your departure. If leaving permanently, inform your embassy/consulate of your home country that you are returning.
Tax clearance
Turkish tax residents (those who stayed 183+ days per calendar year) who are leaving should file a final annual income tax return (Yıllık Gelir Vergisi Beyannamesi) for the year of departure by the normal 31 March deadline of the following year. Outstanding tax liabilities must be settled before leaving. Tax clearance certificate (vergi borcu yoktur belgesi) can be obtained from your local Vergi Dairesi — required for some processes like cancelling utilities or completing property sales. SGK (social security) debts should be resolved. No formal tax exit process like some countries, but unresolved Turkish tax debts can cause issues for future visits.
Pension portability
SGK pension rights are portable in a limited way. Turkey has bilateral social security agreements (ikili sosyal güvenlik sözleşmesi) with approximately 28 countries including Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and several others. Under these agreements, contribution periods in Turkey and the partner country may be totalized for pension eligibility purposes. If leaving Turkey and you have accumulated SGK contributions but have not reached retirement age: your contributions remain in the SGK system and you retain rights to a Turkish pension at retirement age (58/60 depending on gender and contribution years — being raised to 65 by 2048). Lump-sum refund of contributions (toptan ödeme) available for those who are not Turkish citizens and are not covered by a social security agreement — requires at least 3 years of contributions.
Health insurance
SGK/GSS health coverage ends when your formal employment ends (or when you stop paying voluntary SGK contributions). After employment ends, your GSS coverage continues for approximately 10 days (brief grace period). If returning home to an EU country: you will likely re-enter your home country's health system upon return. If you had private international health insurance, check the termination process with your insurer — some policies have minimum notice requirements. Get copies of your Turkish medical records (e-Nabız app — download all records before leaving) as they will not be accessible after you lose access to the Turkish health system.
Bank account
Turkish bank accounts can technically remain open after you leave Turkey, but banks may request regular address confirmation or activity. Dormant accounts (inactive for 10+ years) are eventually transferred to the Turkish Treasury. For expats leaving permanently: close accounts if you do not plan to return. For investors with Turkish property: keep a Turkish account open for ongoing expenses and rental income. Papara and some digital accounts may be closed remotely. Traditional banks require in-person or power of attorney process. Outstanding Turkish credit cards and loans must be settled before closing accounts. IBAN and TRY balances: wire remaining TRY funds home or convert to EUR/USD before closing.
Utilities
Cancel utility contracts (electricity via BEDAŞ/regional distribution companies, gas via IGDAŞ, water via İSKİ) with sufficient notice — typically 1 month. Take final meter readings and request final bills. Return any smart meters, gas regulators, or equipment provided by the utility companies. Internet contracts (Türk Telekom, Turkcell Superonline): typically require 30-day notice; some have minimum contract periods — check your agreement. Mobile phone: prepaid SIM easy to abandon; contract phones require formal cancellation. Utility deposits (if paid): claim back with final bill settlement proof.
Rental contract
Standard Turkish rental contracts run on annual terms. Notice required: 15 days before end of rental period for monthly contracts; 3 months before end for fixed-term annual contracts (Türk Borçlar Kanunu — Turkish Code of Obligations). If leaving before contract end, you may negotiate a break clause with the landlord (karşılıklı anlaşma ile fesih). If landlord does not agree, you may be liable for remaining rent until new tenant is found (depending on contract terms). Final inspection (çıkış teslimi): conduct a formal handover with the landlord and document condition of the property. Deposit (depozito): landlord must return within 1–3 months of vacating, less legitimate deductions for damage beyond normal wear. Disputed deductions: Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi (civil court) or mediation.
Leaving the Country
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