Residency & Citizenship
Residency and citizenship questions are usually the first legal step for any foreign resident — and often the one with the least room for error, since a lapsed or incorrectly filed permit can affect everything else you're trying to do here. We help clients apply for and renew short-term and long-term residence permits, understand how property ownership interacts with residency, and evaluate routes to Turkish citizenship, including citizenship by investment.
Our Residency & Citizenship Services
- Short-term (kısa dönem) residence permit applications and renewals
- Guidance on family and long-term residence permit categories
- Advice on how property ownership can support a residence permit application
- Citizenship-by-investment eligibility review and the application through to conclusion
- General guidance on Turkey's Digital Nomad Visa policy for remote workers
- Coordination with the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (PDMM/PDMİ) appointment and documentation process
- Renewal-deadline tracking so a permit does not lapse unnoticed
Local Context
Fethiye has one of Turkey's largest year-round foreign resident populations, concentrated in areas like Çalış, Hisarönü, Ovacık, Ölüdeniz and Kayaköy. For most people who relocate here — whether retiring, working remotely, or splitting time between two countries — a residence permit is the very first administrative step, and renewing it correctly and on time becomes a recurring, practical part of living in the region long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of residence permit do most foreign residents in Fethiye need?
Most non-working foreign residents apply for a short-term residence permit, which is generally renewable as long as the underlying conditions (such as valid health insurance and, where relevant, proof of accommodation) continue to be met. The right category depends on your specific circumstances — for example whether you own property, are married to a Turkish citizen, or are working remotely for a foreign employer — so it is worth confirming which applies to you before applying.
Does owning property in Turkey automatically give me a residence permit?
No, property ownership does not by itself grant a residence permit, but it is commonly used as supporting evidence of accommodation when applying for one. The application still needs to meet the other conditions set out in Turkish immigration law and is assessed by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
What is Turkey's Digital Nomad Visa?
It is a residence category introduced for foreign remote workers who earn income from outside Turkey, with its own eligibility criteria (such as age, occupation and minimum income requirements) set by the relevant authorities. Because these criteria are periodically updated, we recommend confirming the current requirements before relying on this route.
How does citizenship by investment through real estate work?
Turkey allows foreign nationals to apply for citizenship by making a qualifying investment, including a real estate purchase above a minimum value set by government decree and held for a required minimum period. Because this threshold has changed more than once in recent years, the current figure should always be confirmed before a purchase is made with citizenship in mind.
What happens if my residence permit expires before I renew it?
Renewal applications should be submitted before the current permit expires; letting a permit lapse can create complications for your legal status in Turkey and for future applications. If your renewal window is approaching, it is worth starting the process well in advance rather than close to the expiry date.
Considering the investment route? Try our Citizenship Investment Threshold Checker to see how a planned purchase compares against a reference threshold you can edit.
For guidance on your specific situation, contact us to arrange an initial conversation — see also our related articles in Insights.
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Information on this page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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