Turkey cancels residence fee hike for nomads and foreign residents

The current state of residence fees

Turkey recently maintained its existing fee structure after the Ministry of Interior opted to cancel a widely reported price hike that was scheduled for May 1. While rumors of a massive increase circulated, the government ultimately decided to keep the rates that were established on January 1, 2026. This means the current tariff remains the active schedule for all residence and work permit applicants.

The system relies on a two-part payment process: a primary residence fee and a "valuable paper" charge for the physical card. For those pursuing work permits, the costs are fixed at 12,574.90 TL for standard one-year permits and 125,802.20 TL for permanent or independent authorizations.

Who these costs impact

These regulations apply to all foreign nationals living in or moving to Turkey, including digital nomads, retirees, and property owners. Because Turkey uses reciprocity-based pricing, the exact amount you pay depends heavily on your nationality and the length of your stay. Some citizens may find they are exempt from certain fees, while others will have their totals calculated automatically within the application portal.

Work permit applicants face stricter timelines regarding these payments. If you fail to settle the required fees within 30 days of receiving your notification, the labor authority will automatically reject the application. This makes it vital to monitor your nomad news and official notifications closely during the filing window.

Managing your application and payments

Navigating the payment process requires using the official migration application portal to generate a reference number. Payments should be made through the Digital Tax Office or at designated bank branches before your scheduled appointment. It is best to complete these transactions early to avoid technical delays that could jeopardize your residency status.

When preparing your budget, remember that the "valuable paper" fee is a separate line item from the residence tax itself. Always double-check the active 2026 schedule in the online system rather than relying on outdated reports of the canceled May increase.

Read our full Turkey guide for the complete picture.