Author: Luxury Estate Turkey
Viewed 129 times
12 July 2025
Turkey is becoming increasingly popular among foreign retirees — and for good reason. It offers a mild Mediterranean climate without extreme temperature swings, a culture of respect toward older people, affordable living costs, and a generally safe environment. You can enjoy year-round sunshine, access to fresh and inexpensive produce, and a relaxed lifestyle by the sea. Many retirees from Europe, the US, Russia, and the CIS are legally relocating to Turkey because it offers a high quality of life and relatively simple residency conditions.
Turkey also has the infrastructure and services that retirees need. In resort cities like Antalya, Alanya, and Bodrum, large international communities have already formed. This means a comfortable lifestyle for foreigners: it’s easy to make friends, get help in your own language, and avoid feeling isolated.
Living in Turkey in retirement allows you to enjoy a country with a rich cultural heritage and a warm, healthy coastal climate. The weather here is good for your health — especially joints and respiratory function — and lets you walk by the sea all year. Daily life offers variety too: fresh markets, local cafes and restaurants with healthy cuisine, and accessible hobbies like fishing, gardening, or beach yoga.
Transportation is another advantage. From Antalya, direct flights to Central Russia or Europe take only a few hours. Retiring in Turkey doesn’t separate you from your family — children and grandchildren can visit easily, and you can fly back home whenever needed.
One of the main reasons foreigners choose to retire in Turkey is the relatively low cost of living. Compared to Western Europe or North America, prices for daily expenses are noticeably lower. Food — fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy — is often two to three times cheaper than in most European countries. This is largely thanks to Turkey’s strong agricultural sector and two harvests a year. Utilities (electricity, water, gas) and public transport are also affordable.
Many ask whether it’s possible to live in Turkey solely on a pension from abroad. In practice, yes — foreigners are successfully living in Turkey on Russian or Western pensions, often enjoying a much higher standard of living than they could at home.
Healthcare is crucial in retirement, and Turkey performs well in this area — offering high-quality care and lower treatment and medication costs than Europe or the US. Many doctors are trained abroad and speak English — and in many regions, Russian as well.
One key advantage: after the age of 65, retirees in Turkey — including foreigners — are eligible for free medical care at public clinics and hospitals.
Turkey is known for its hospitality, and foreign retirees feel it firsthand. Older people are treated with deep respect regardless of nationality.
Safety is also a key consideration. Foreign residents often say they feel more secure in Turkish cities than in many European urban centers.
Turkish immigration law doesn’t offer a separate “retirement visa” by country. In practice, residence permits for retirees are issued under the same terms as for all other nationalities. Citizens of the EU, the UK, the US, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other countries have equal rights to apply for a residence permit if they meet the conditions and provide the required documents.
One requirement for foreign retirees is to prove financial self-sufficiency. The authorities must be confident that you have enough income to support yourself and won’t need state assistance.
Turkey doesn’t specify a minimum in euros or dollars — the amount is tied to the Turkish minimum wage. As a guideline, your monthly income or savings should equal at least the minimum wage in Turkey per person.
Acceptable proof includes a Turkish or foreign bank statement, a pension certificate, property rental income, or other financial documentation.
There are no age restrictions for obtaining a residence permit or even citizenship. You can move to Turkey at 50, 60, 70, or older. The main requirement is that you’re financially independent and healthy enough to relocate. There’s also no minimum age — some foreigners take early retirement at 50–55 and apply under the same rules as any other financially qualified applicant.
Turkey also offers certain benefits for retirees. Foreigners over 65 are exempt from the health insurance requirement when applying for residency. After age 65, some medical services at public institutions are offered free of charge to all retirees, including legal foreign residents. Long-term residents may also receive a social card at the authorities’ discretion.
If you plan to spend more than 90 days in Turkey or relocate permanently, a residence permit (ikamet) is required. Foreign retirees can apply on various grounds — typically through real estate ownership or family reunification if a spouse or relative is already a resident.
The simplest and most popular route is through real estate ownership. Turkish law allows foreigners who own property in the country to receive a short-term residence permit.
The process is straightforward: after purchasing a property and receiving your title deed (Tapu), you can submit your application to the immigration office on the basis of ownership. This type of permit is usually issued for one or two years and can be easily renewed as long as you keep the property.
More information about getting a residence permit in Turkey through property purchase here.
This method offers clear advantages: by buying an apartment or house, you not only solve your housing needs, but also gain legal residency. Your home is an asset — one you can rent out when you’re away, helping to offset living expenses. Many retirees prefer buying property, as it provides security, legal status, and peace of mind.
Health insurance is mandatory for all foreigners under the age of 65 applying for residency. The policy must be purchased from a Turkish insurance company — foreign policies usually aren’t accepted.
If you’re 65 or older, you are exempt from this requirement. But note that free services are available only at government clinics near your registered address and cover a limited range. After one year of legal residency, foreigners over 65 may also join the SGK public health system voluntarily.
Retiring in Turkey legally can eventually lead to citizenship. There are two main pathways: naturalization after several years of residency, or citizenship through property investment.
Turkish law allows any foreigner who has lived legally in the country for five continuous years to apply for citizenship. This means maintaining your residence permit without major interruptions and living in Turkey during that time.
“Continuous residence” means you haven’t spent more than six months outside Turkey in total over the five years (or more than 1–2 months per year). Once you meet that condition, you can apply for citizenship through the local population directorate.
You’ll also need to meet other naturalization requirements: no criminal record, no serious health conditions, sufficient income or pension, and basic Turkish language skills.
After five years, you may also apply for an indefinite residence permit (permanent residency). Many people get the long-term permit first, then apply for citizenship later.
If you don’t want to wait, you can apply for Turkish citizenship by investing in real estate. The current minimum is $400,000. You must buy one or more properties with a combined cadastral value of at least this amount and commit to holding them for at least three years.
This path is fast and has minimal requirements — no need to live in Turkey, no language exam, and you can include family members in your application. Learn more about Turkish citizenship by investment here.
Antalya is the heart of the Mediterranean coast and a major destination for foreigners. It has an international airport, hospitals, malls, theaters, and universities. Prices are mid-range — more expensive than small towns, but cheaper than Istanbul. Antalya has a large international community, top regional healthcare, and efficient transport options.
East of Antalya, Alanya is a quieter coastal city — ideal for peaceful retirement. Prices of property in Alanya and living costs are lower than in Antalya. The city has a strong international presence, with English and Russian commonly spoken. The infrastructure is solid: hospitals, clinics, shopping centers, markets, cafes. You’ll enjoy a relaxed pace, with nature, mountains, and the sea all nearby.
Bodrum is more upscale — perfect for retirees with higher budgets. Located on the Aegean coast, it’s been a favorite among Europeans since the 1960s. Bodrum offers a distinctive lifestyle: whitewashed houses, marinas, galleries, gourmet dining. Prices are higher, but the atmosphere is refined, the climate is milder, and the social scene is vibrant and international.
Fethiye is for nature lovers and those seeking quiet living. Situated between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas, it’s popular among British retirees. It offers a slower pace than Antalya, clean air, and beautiful scenery. Housing costs are moderate, and the town has reliable year-round infrastructure — hospitals, shops, and cafes are all available. This is provincial Turkey in the best sense — charming, natural, and welcoming.
Many foreign retirees weigh the pros and cons of buying versus renting. In most cases, buying turns out to be more secure and cost-effective for long-term living.
First, owning your home gives you stability. You’re not subject to rent increases or risk of the lease not being renewed. You lock in your housing costs, and utility bills and property taxes are low.
Second, owning property helps with your legal status. Real estate ownership is closely tied to residency rights. The authorities view owners as serious long-term residents, which adds an extra layer of protection in case of future policy changes.
Third, it’s an investment. Coastal property in Turkey continues to appreciate in value. You can resell it later or rent it out while you’re away — generating income.
There are some clear trends in what foreign retirees look for:
Modern apartments in residential complexes
Most prefer newer buildings (5–10 years old), often with elevators, pools, landscaped gardens, BBQ areas, and sometimes saunas or fitness rooms. In Alanya, many retirees buy 1+1 or 2+1 units in secure gated residences.
Ground-floor units
Because of age and mobility concerns, properties on the first floor are in high demand. Many complexes also offer duplexes — two-level units on the ground floor with garden access. Retirees love having a private terrace for morning coffee without climbing stairs.
Private villas
Some retirees want their own house — and in Turkey, that’s affordable. In resort areas, you can find compact 2–3-bedroom villas with small plots at reasonable prices. Just make sure the location has nearby clinics, shops, and transport.
Yes. You’ll continue to receive your pension from your home country — either to a bank account or card — and spend it in Turkey. Since the cost of living is lower, pensions from Europe or Russia are often enough for a comfortable lifestyle.
Important: relocating to Turkey does not affect your right to receive your pension back home.
If you live in Turkey on a residence permit and don’t work locally, your foreign pension is typically not subject to Turkish taxes. Even if you’re technically a tax resident, you are only taxed on income sourced in Turkey — such as employment or business revenue.
At Luxury Estate Turkey, we help you find the best property for your needs and budget — whether it’s a city-center apartment in Alanya or a quiet villa near Antalya. We know which areas are best for retirees: where the nearest clinic is, where you’ll find Russian-speaking neighbors, or where the easiest beach access is.
We handle every step of the purchase: from verifying the seller’s documents to helping you receive your Tapu (title deed). The entire process is transparent and secure.
We also assist with post-purchase needs: connecting water and electricity, opening a bank account, selecting health insurance. We handle the paperwork, so you can focus on enjoying the sea, the sun, and a peaceful new chapter of life in Turkey.
Turkish Citizenship 
YouTube
Instagram 
Facebook 
WhatsApp 
Telegram 
