Turkey (Europe)

Announced on April 15, 2024, the government of Türkiye announced its official invitation to remote workers with the Türkiye digital nomad visa. Freelancers and remote employees can live in Türkiye for one year with the opportunity to renew.

The goal of the Turkey digital nomad visa is to attract digital nomads from select countries to specific areas of Türkiye, including Antalya, Marmaris, Bodrum, Fethiye, and more.

Türkiye Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

• Valid Passport – You must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the arrival date in Türkiye and one blank page from one of the accepted countries (listed below)

• Work Remotely – You must work remotely as an employee, freelancer, or business owner of a company or clients located outside of Türkiye

• Earn $36,000 USD per year – You must meet the minimum income requirement, about $3,000 USD per month

• University Degree or Diploma – You must have a valid diploma or degree from a university

• Between the Age of 21 and 55 – You must be within the accepted age range

• Clean Criminal Record – You must present a clean criminal record

• International Health Insurance – You must have coverage of at least $30,000 USD and repatriation during your stay in Türkiye

• Processing Time – 4 weeks

• Visa Fee – $190

• Visa Duration

• Tax – Yes

• Permanent Residency

The Tükiye digital nomad visa is available to only select nationalities, which include:

France, Germany, Italy , Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

If you are not a citizen of one of the countries listen above, you may not apply for the Türkiye digital nomad visa.

How to Apply for the Türkiye Digital Nomad Visa

The Türkiye digital nomad visa application requires an online application and an in-person visa appointment at an embassy, consulate, or visa office.

Step 1: Apply for Digital Nomad Identification Certificate

The first step in applying for the Türkiye digital nomad visa is to apply for the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. You can do this on the official Digital Nomads GoTürkiye website.

• Copy of Passport

• University Degree or Diploma

• Proof of Remote Work (employee or freelance contracts)

• Bank Statements to Prove Income

• Biometric Photo

• Criminal background check from country of residence

• Address of accommodations in Türkiye

• International Health Insurance

Step 2: Attend Visa Appointment

After receiving your Digital Nomad Identification Certificate, you will attend a visa appointment at the designated Turkish consulate or visa center in your country of residence. The location will be shared on your Identification Certificate.

Make sure to bring all physical copies of the documents you submitted to get the Identification Certificate. Additional documents may be required depending on which visa center or consulate you will attend.

For general information about Turkish visas, you can refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

There is a multiple-entry visa application fee of $190 USD.

If Applying as a Tourist in Türkiye

If you are already in Türkiye as a tourist, you may skip visiting a consulate or embassy and apply directly for the one-year residence permit. Of course, this is after obtaining the Digital Nomad Identification Certificate. You may apply for the residence permit online. After submitting the information and requested documents, you will attend an appointment at a Provincial Migration Management Office.

Step 3: Wait for Approval

After submitting your visa application, it can take around 30 days to process and receive a decision on your Türkiye digital nomad visa application.

Tax Implications for Remote Workers

Remote workers will not be taxed on their salary in Türkiye if they meet one of the two scenarios:

Their salary is deposited into a bank account located outside of Türkiye

They receive their salary in USD in a Turkish bank account

If remote employees are paid in Turkish Lira (TRY), then they could be subject to tax. However, this scenario would be almost impossible as the requirement for obtaining a digital nomad visa is to work for an employer established outside of Türkiye.

Tax Implications for Freelancers

A freelancer who works for a company or multiple clients as an independent contractor will owe local income tax in Türkiye. However, there are some tax benefits self-employed individuals may take advantage of.

Those who work in IT services are subject to a 50% to 80% discount on their tax rate. Entrepreneurs under the age of 29 will also experience tax benefits.

There is one stipulation for being an independent contractor in Türkiye – you must register a business in Türkiye and open a Turkish bank account to receive payments.