Why Turkey?
20-year tax holiday: New residents pay zero Turkish tax on all foreign-source income and capital gains for 20 years. This is one of the longest tax exemptions any G20 country offers. Law passed May 2026.
No minimum investment: Unlike most tax-friendly residency programs, Turkey's 20-year exemption has no investment requirement. You simply need to become a tax resident without having been one in the prior 3 years.
Note for U.S. citizens: The U.S. taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. Turkey's tax exemption does not reduce your IRS obligations. Americans still benefit from residency, banking access, and the path to citizenship.
No language test: There is no Turkish language requirement to qualify for the tax exemption.
Strategic location: Turkey bridges Europe and Asia with direct flights to most major cities, modern infrastructure, and a growing expat community.
Path to citizenship: Combine with Turkey's citizenship-by-investment program (from $400,000 real estate) for a second passport with 110+ visa-free destinations.
Who This Is For
Entrepreneurs with foreign-source income who want to legally pay zero tax on non-Turkish earnings for 20 years.
Investors and traders seeking zero capital gains tax on foreign investments.
Digital nomads and remote workers looking for a tax-efficient base with modern infrastructure and low cost of living.
Retirees with foreign pensions who want to stretch their income further with zero tax on foreign retirement distributions.
Non-US persons who can fully benefit from the exemption (US citizens remain subject to IRS worldwide taxation).
Long-term planners building a global residency and citizenship portfolio.
The Process
Step 1: Eligibility Verification
We verify you have not been a Turkish tax resident in the previous 3 calendar years (2023, 2024, 2025). Prior exposure only from Turkish real estate rental income or securities does not disqualify you.
Step 2: Residency Application
We prepare your Turkish residency application through the appropriate pathway (short-term residence permit, work permit, or investor visa). Document preparation takes 2-3 weeks.
Step 3: Trip to Turkey
You travel to Turkey for biometrics and application submission. We accompany you to all appointments and handle translations.
Step 4: Residence Permit Issued
Your residence permit is issued, establishing your Turkish tax residency. The 20-year tax exemption clock starts.
Optional citizenship path:
Purchase real estate worth $400,000+ for fast-track citizenship (3-6 months)
Or naturalize after 5 years of continuous residency
Requirements
Clean residency history: You must not have been a Turkish tax resident at any point in 2023, 2024, or 2025
Passport: Valid passport from any country (no nationality restrictions)
Health insurance: Valid health insurance coverage in Turkey
Proof of funds: Sufficient financial resources to support yourself
Address in Turkey: Rental agreement or property ownership
No criminal record: Clean background for residency application
What's Included
Eligibility assessment: We verify your 3-year clean residency history
Full legal representation: Our Turkey attorneys handle the entire residency process
Document preparation: We review, translate, and organize all required documents
Application filing: We submit your residency application and track progress
Concierge support: Appointment accompaniment and local coordination during your Turkey trip
Tax structuring guidance: We ensure your setup maximizes the 20-year exemption
Banking introduction: Assistance opening Turkish bank accounts
Timeline
| Milestone | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Eligibility verification | 1 week |
| Document preparation | 2-3 weeks |
| Trip to Turkey for application | 5-7 days |
| Residence permit issued | 4-8 weeks |
| Tax exemption active | Upon residency |
| Tax exemption duration | 20 years |
| Citizenship eligible (via investment) | 3-6 months |
| Citizenship eligible (via naturalization) | 5 years |
Important Notes
The 3-year test: The law is specific: if you had Turkish domicile and tax liability at any point in 2023, 2024, or 2025, you do not qualify. This is a hard rule with no exceptions.
Exception for passive income: Prior Turkish exposure only from real estate rental income or securities gains does not disqualify you from the exemption.
Foreign tax credits: Foreign taxes paid on exempt income cannot be credited against Turkish tax (irrelevant since the income is exempt anyway).
No filing required: Exempt foreign income does not need to be declared on Turkish tax returns.
Turkish-source income: Income earned within Turkey is still subject to Turkish tax at normal rates.
Renewal: Turkish residence permits are typically valid for 1-2 years and must be renewed before expiration. The 20-year tax exemption continues as long as you maintain valid tax residency in Turkey.
Click here to: Renew your Turkey Tax Residency