Turkey — Complete Emigration Guide 2026
85,664,944 people · Capital: Ankara · Western Asia
Updated H2 2026 · Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis
Overview
Turkey is located in Western Asia, with a population of 85,664,944. Its currency is the Turkish lira. Our database tracks 12 visa pathways for Turkey, each linked to a named source.
See also: Turkey country profile
Compiled from official government sources, re-checked on a rolling basis. See our methodology and data sources.
Visa Pathways (12)
Sponsored Employment (3)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definite (Fix-term) Work Permit | €489/mo | €9 | 12 mo | — |
| Permanent Work Permit | €47/mo | €9 | 60 mo | 60d |
| Turquoise Card | — | — | 36 mo | — |
Entrepreneur & Business (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Work Permit | — | €0 | 12 mo | — |
Investment / Golden Visa (2)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional Acquisition of Citizenship | €34,872/mo | — | — | — |
| Right to Acquire Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase | — | — | — | — |
Study (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Residence Permit | €23/mo | €2 | 12 mo | — |
Family Reunification (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Residence Permit | €415/mo | — | 36 mo | — |
General Residence (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-Term Residence Permit | — | — | 24 mo | — |
Permanent Settlement (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Term Residence Permit | — | — | 24 mo | — |
Media & Journalists (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Press Visa (Assigned Journalists) | — | — | — | — |
Medical Treatment (1)
| Programme | Min Income | Fee | Duration | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Treatment Visa (consular short-stay) | — | — | — | — |
Cost of Living
| Item | Turkey | W. Europe Avg | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | €450 | €1,200 | -62% |
| Rent (3BR) | €750 | €2,000 | -62% |
| Groceries | €120 | €350 | -66% |
| Transport | €18 | €80 | -78% |
| Utilities | €85 | €150 | -43% |
| Dining (meal) | €8 | €15 | -47% |
Salary & Employment
| Sector | Median (gross, €/yr) |
|---|---|
| Construction | €19,000 |
| Education | €16,000 |
| Engineering | €28,000 |
| Finance | €32,000 |
| Healthcare | €10,000 |
| Hospitality | €12,000 |
| IT | €15,000 |
| Retail | €11,000 |
Shortage Occupations
- Software Developer (Information Technology)
- Physician (Healthcare)
- Nurse (Healthcare)
- Civil Engineer (Engineering)
- Machine Operator (Manufacturing)
Tax
Healthcare
Education
| University | QS Rank | English Progs | Tuition (Intl) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Koç University | 441 | 156 | €18,500 |
| Sabancı University | — | 142 | €17,800 |
| Bilkent University | — | 128 | €16,900 |
| Boğaziçi University | — | 89 | €4,200 |
| Middle East Technical University | — | 76 | €3,800 |
Practical Info
Banking
Driving
Phone & Internet
Credentials
Quality of Life
Official sources
The visa data on this page is compiled from official government sources — 12 of the 12 pathways link directly to the government page they were verified against, and 4 financial requirements below carry the exact quote from the official source. Values that fail verification are removed, not guessed — see the live verification freshness index.
- en.goc.gov.tr · 6 pathways · verified 2026-06-25
- csgb.gov.tr · 2 pathways · verified 2026-06-24
- csgb.gov.tr · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- healthturkiye.gov.tr · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-24
- iletisim.gov.tr · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-20
- turkiyetechvisa.gov.tr · 1 pathway · verified 2026-06-09
Verified requirements — exact official citations
Each figure below was verified verbatim against the official page linked, on the date shown.
Medical Treatment Visa (consular short-stay) · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “Applicants may be required to provide proof of financial means to cover medical treatment and living expenses during their stay.” — mfa.gov.tr
Family Residence Permit · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “have a monthly income in any case not less than the minimum wage in total corresponding not less than one third of the minimum wage per each family member” — en.goc.gov.tr, 2026-07-09
Definite (Fix-term) Work Permit · 1 verified requirement
Minimum income: “Yabancıya ödenecek ücret, çalışma izni başvurusu tarihi itibariyle yürürlükte bulunan brüt asgari ücret tutarı dikkate alınmak suretiyle... net asgari ücret 28 bin 75 lira 50 kuruş, brüt asgari ücret tutarı ise 33 bin 30 lira olarak belirlenmiştir.” — csgb.gov.tr, 2026-07-09
Student Residence Permit · 1 verified requirement
Savings / proof of funds: “Foreigners are required to fulfil the conditions set out in Article 39 in order to obtain student residence permit: to submit supporting information and documents related to aim of stay in Turkey (Article 38); not to fall within the scope of Article 7; submit information on…” — en.goc.gov.tr, 2026-07-06
Frequently Asked Questions
How many visa pathways does Turkey have?
Our database tracks 12 visa pathways for Turkey across 9 categories, the largest being Sponsored Employment, Investment / Golden Visa, Medical Treatment. Each entry links directly to an official government source.
What is the minimum income for the Permanent Work Permit?
The Permanent Work Permit lists a minimum income of EUR 47 per month, according to the official source (last checked 2026-06-24).
What is the average salary in Turkey?
The average gross salary in Turkey is EUR 738 per month. The statutory minimum wage is EUR 490 per month.
How much does rent cost in Turkey?
A one-bedroom apartment in Turkey averages EUR 450 per month, and a three-bedroom apartment averages EUR 750 per month.
What is the top income tax rate in Turkey?
The top personal income tax rate in Turkey is 40%. The standard VAT rate is 20%.
Start Preparing for Turkey
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