Turkey
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 41 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 22
- Affordability 95
- Safety 28
- Climate 88
- Expat community 78
- Retirement visaNoikamet.com
- Min incomeLow (easier to meet)ikamet.com
- Monthly budget~$1,000-1,500/monumbeo.com
- HealthcareGoodglobalcitizensolutions.com
- SafetyUse cautioncountryeconomy.com
- Top citiesAntalya, Istanbul, Fethiye
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessUniversal public coverage runs through the SGK social security institution, open to foreigners after one year of residency; public hospitals can have longer waits and mostly Turkish-speaking staff, while private hospitals offer modern facilities and English-speaking doctors.globalcitizensolutions.com
- Low cost of livingRoughly 1,000 to 1,500 USD per month for a single person: about 582 EUR in living costs excluding rent plus a city-centre one-bedroom rent around 26,758 TRY.numbeo.com
- Comfortable climateCoastal Mediterranean areas such as Antalya and Izmir have hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, while the interior plateau has hot summers and cold snowy winters.en.wikipedia.org
- Established expat communityLarge established foreign and retiree communities cluster in Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir and the Aegean and Mediterranean towns of Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi, where English-speaking services, clubs and social groups are common.ikamet.com
Watch out for
- No dedicated retirement visaikamet.com
- Safety needs attentionTurkey ranks 139th on the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 2.780, one of the lower-ranked countries; everyday coastal life is generally calm but the national score reflects regional tensions and militarisation.countryeconomy.com
Visa & residency
A single applicant must show about 42,112.50 TRY per month (1.5 times the 2026 net minimum wage of 28,075 TRY), roughly 1,200 USD; pensioners can rely on foreign or local pension statements.
Turkey has no dedicated retirement visa; retirees typically use the renewable short-term residence permit based on sufficient means, or gain residence by buying property (minimum 200,000 USD since January 2025). Applications are filed online at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr.
Healthcare
Universal public coverage runs through the SGK social security institution, open to foreigners after one year of residency; public hospitals can have longer waits and mostly Turkish-speaking staff, while private hospitals offer modern facilities and English-speaking doctors.
Most expats take private or international insurance for faster access, English-speaking care and international-standard facilities; health coverage is mandatory for residence permits for those under 65.
Cost of living
Roughly 1,000 to 1,500 USD per month for a single person: about 582 EUR in living costs excluding rent plus a city-centre one-bedroom rent around 26,758 TRY.
A one-bedroom apartment in a city centre averages about 26,758 TRY per month; rent in New York is about 346.7 percent higher than in Istanbul.
Safety
Turkey ranks 139th on the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 2.780, one of the lower-ranked countries; everyday coastal life is generally calm but the national score reflects regional tensions and militarisation.
Climate
Mediterranean on the southern and western coasts, continental in the interior, with humid subtropical and oceanic zones along the Black Sea.
Coastal Mediterranean areas such as Antalya and Izmir have hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, while the interior plateau has hot summers and cold snowy winters.
Community & language
Large established foreign and retiree communities cluster in Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir and the Aegean and Mediterranean towns of Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Kusadasi, where English-speaking services, clubs and social groups are common.
Turkish is the sole official language; English is common in tourist and expat coastal areas but limited elsewhere.
Taxes
Under the US-Turkey tax treaty pensions are generally taxable in the recipient's country of residence, with relief from double taxation provided through foreign tax credits.
The United States and Turkey have an income tax treaty signed in 1996 to reduce double taxation of income earned across the two countries.
Turkish lira (TRY). Persistent high inflation, so budgets in TRY change quickly.
Moving & migration
Foreigners with a residence permit can open a bank account at Turkish banks (Ziraat, Isbank, Garanti, etc.). You typically need your passport, tax number (obtainable online or at a tax office), residence permit, and proof of address. Some banks offer English-language online banking and multi-currency accounts.
Turkey does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. You can join the Turkish Universal Health Insurance System (SGK) after 1 year of legal residency with a valid residence permit. Married couples may qualify for joint membership. Contact your local SGK office to register. Private or international health insurance is mandatory for residence permit applicants under 65 and recommended for all expats.
You can drive in Turkey using your foreign driving licence for up to 6 months. To continue driving after 6 months, you must exchange it for a Turkish driving licence. Turkey is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention. Apply for exchange at the Civil Registry (Nufus) office. You will need your foreign licence (notarised translation if not in Latin script), residence permit, health report, and photos.
When moving household goods to Turkey, contact the Turkish Ministry of Trade (ticaret.gov.tr) for customs formalities. Personal effects and used household goods may be imported duty-free within certain limits. You typically need a detailed inventory (in Turkish or with translation), passport, residence permit, and a customs declaration. Using a customs broker is recommended.
Dogs and cats entering Turkey require a microchip (ISO 11784/11785), a valid rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel), and a veterinary health certificate. A rabies antibody titre test may be required depending on the country of origin. Turkey permits up to 2 pets per person. Check current requirements at ticaret.gov.tr before travel.
1. Enter Turkey (visa or visa-free depending on nationality). 2. Apply for a short-term residence permit (ikamet) online at e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr within your legal stay period. Show proof of income (approx 42,112 TRY/month for 2026), health insurance, and an address in Turkey. 3. Short-term permits are issued for up to 2 years and are renewable. 4. Register your address within 20 working days. 5. After 8 years of continuous legal residence on a permit, you may apply for a long-term residence permit (unlimited validity) provided you have sufficient income, valid health insurance, no social assistance in the last 3 years, and no threat to public order.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Turkey tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Antalya
Turkey's Mediterranean resort capital on the Turkish Riviera, picked for its warm sunny climate, beaches and large foreign resident community of around 120,000.
Istanbul
Turkey's largest city straddling the Bosphorus across two continents, drawing expats with its deep history, cultural life and economic opportunities.
Fethiye
A resort town on Turkey's Turquoise Coast with a hot-summer Mediterranean climate, popular for its beaches, Blue Lagoon and Lycian ruins.
Bodrum
An Aegean port and marina resort town with a hot Mediterranean climate, chosen for its coast, harbours and tourism-driven services.
Questions about retiring in Turkey
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Turkey have a retirement visa?
No dedicated retirement visa. Retirement is handled through a general residence route: Short-term residence permit (ikamet).
ikamet.com- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Turkey?
As a guide: A single applicant must show about 42,112.50 TRY per month (1.5 times the 2026 net minimum wage of 28,075 TRY), roughly 1,200 USD; pensioners can rely on foreign or local pension statements. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
ikamet.com- Is healthcare good for expats in Turkey?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Universal public coverage runs through the SGK social security institution, open to foreigners after one year of residency; public hospitals can have longer waits and mostly Turkish-speaking staff, while private hospitals offer modern facilities and English-speaking doctors. On cost: Most expats take private or international insurance for faster access, English-speaking care and international-standard facilities; health coverage is mandatory for residence permits for those under 65.
globalcitizensolutions.com- How expensive is it to retire in Turkey?
Much lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Roughly 1,000 to 1,500 USD per month for a single person: about 582 EUR in living costs excluding rent plus a city-centre one-bedroom rent around 26,758 TRY.
numbeo.com- Is Turkey safe?
Use caution. Turkey ranks 139th on the 2024 Global Peace Index with a score of 2.780, one of the lower-ranked countries; everyday coastal life is generally calm but the national score reflects regional tensions and militarisation.
countryeconomy.com- What is the climate like in Turkey?
The climate is Mediterranean on the southern and western coasts, continental in the interior, with humid subtropical and oceanic zones along the Black Sea.. Coastal Mediterranean areas such as Antalya and Izmir have hot dry summers and mild rainy winters, while the interior plateau has hot summers and cold snowy winters.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Turkey?
Popular retirement spots include Antalya, Istanbul, Fethiye and Bodrum.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Turkey with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
