Moving to Turkey: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Turkey: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 7 residence programmes, days needed, climate, safety and economy — compared with 194 countries.
Taxes
In Turkey the top income tax rate is 40%, dividends are taxed at up to 15% and companies pay 25% corporate tax. Newcomers may use a special regime (0%): New-resident regime (Law 7582, 2026): 20-yr 0% on FOREIGN income/dividends/gains; dividends from Turkish companies 15% WHT for arrivals not resident in prior 3 yrs. Exporter/IFC corporate 9%. CBI via USD 400k property.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Turkey from arrival once you take up residence (Domicile (settled home with intent to stay), or continuous stay >6 months in calendar year). The typical route is Citizenship by investment (property USD 400k): Property ≥USD 400k held 3 yrs (or USD 500k deposit/fund); residence alt: property ≥USD 200k in metro areas There are 7 open residence programmes in Turkey — see the list below.
Living there
Istanbul has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with winter highs around 8.5 °C and summer highs around 28.5 °C. The economy grew +3.5% in 2025; the IMF forecasts 3.7% for 2026. Its passport opens about 115 countries without a visa in advance. Security: PKK disarmament 2025; Iranian missile intercepted over Hatay Mar 2026.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 40% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | 15% |
| Corporate tax | 25% |
| Special regime for newcomers | 0% — New-resident regime (Law 7582, 2026): 20-yr 0% on FOREIGN income/dividends/gains; dividends from Turkish companies 15% WHT for arrivals not resident in prior 3 yrs. Exporter/IFC corporate 9%. CBI via USD 400k property. |
| Residensi pajak | sejak kedatangan — Domicile (settled home with intent to stay), or continuous stay >6 months in calendar year |
| Rute Anda | Citizenship by investment (property USD 400k) — Property ≥USD 400k held 3 yrs (or USD 500k deposit/fund); residence alt: property ≥USD 200k in metro areas |
| Paspor | bebas visa atau saat kedatangan ke 115 negara |
| Economic growth | +3.5% (2025), forecast 3.7% (2026) |
| Jenis iklim | hot-summer Mediterranean · 8.5° / 28.5° (Istanbul) |
| Perang & konflik | tension — PKK disarmament 2025; Iranian missile intercepted over Hatay Mar 2026 |
| Semua bencana alam | 6.2/10 |
| Kekuatan perbankan | 4/10 · BB- |
| Perlindungan properti | 4/10 |
| Rumah hangat di musim dingin | 6/10 |
Residence programmes in Turkey
- Turkish Citizenship by Investment — Investasi CHF 320'000 · open · 2026-10
- Short-term Residence Permit – Property Ownership — Investasi CHF 160'000 · open · 2026-10
- Digital Nomad Visa + Short-term Residence Permit — Penghasilan / thn CHF 28'800 · open · 2026-10
- New-resident foreign-income tax exemption (Law No. 7582) — specialTax · open · 2026-10
- Turquoise Card — entrepreneur · open · 2026-10
- Work Permit (incl. company shareholders/directors) — employment · open · 2026-10
- Family Residence Permit — family · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Turkey to become tax resident?
sejak kedatangan. Domicile (settled home with intent to stay), or continuous stay >6 months in calendar year Temporary absences do not break 6-month stay; worldwide income up to 40%
How much tax will I pay in Turkey?
In Turkey the top income tax rate is 40%, dividends are taxed at up to 15% and companies pay 25% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Turkey offer?
Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CHF 320'000); Short-term Residence Permit – Property Ownership (CHF 160'000); Digital Nomad Visa + Short-term Residence Permit; New-resident foreign-income tax exemption (Law No. 7582); Turquoise Card
What is the usual way to move to Turkey?
Citizenship by investment (property USD 400k). Property ≥USD 400k held 3 yrs (or USD 500k deposit/fund); residence alt: property ≥USD 200k in metro areas
Compare with nearby countries
Afghanistan · Armenia · Australia · Azerbaijan · Bangladesh · Bhutan · Cambodia · China · Fiji · Georgia · Hong Kong · India
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