Relocation to Turkey in 2026: Real Costs and Budget Breakdown
The relocation budget to Turkey in 2026 is one of the most common questions among those considering emigration, obtaining a residence permit, or purchasing real estate.
Unlike theoretical calculations, a real relocation is always a combination of expenses: airline tickets, renting or buying housing, residence permit processing, insurance, school, transportation, furniture, and everyday costs.
In this article, we break down the real costs of relocating to Turkey in 2026 without advertising illusions — using Alanya, Antalya, and Istanbul as examples.
Fresh news, tips, and insights every day!
What is included in the relocation budget to Turkey in 2026
In practice, relocation includes the following expense items:
- airline tickets;
- renting or purchasing housing;
- residence permit processing (ikamet);
- health insurance;
- school or kindergarten (when relocating with children);
- transportation;
- furniture and initial setup;
- mandatory and regular payments.
Important: the main differences in budget depend not on the country, but on the city and strategy — renting vs buying, short-term stay vs a “serious” relocation.
Real relocation budget to Turkey in 2026: regional comparison
Below are average figures that families actually face when relocating.
Basic expenses (family of 3–4 people)
| Expense item | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline tickets | €900–1 400 | €900–1 400 | €1 000–1 600 |
| 2+1 rent (per month) | €800–1 200 | €900–1 300 | €1 200–1 800 |
| Deposit + commission | €1 600–2 500 | €1 800–2 800 | €2 500–3 500 |
| Aidat (per month) | €50–120 | €60–150 | €80–200 |
| Furniture and setup | €2 000–4 000 | €2 500–5 000 | €3 000–6 000 |
| Residence permit (family) | €1 200–2 000 | €1 200–2 000 | €1 200–2 000 |
| Insurance | €300–500 | €300–500 | €300–500 |
| Transportation (per month) | €80–150 | €100–180 | €120–220 |
Education (per year)
| Type | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public school | Free | Free | Free |
| Private school | €3 000–6 000 | €4 000–8 000 | €6 000–12 000 |
| International school | — | €6 000–10 000 | €10 000–18 000 |
Purchasing liquid real estate: entry threshold
| Parameter | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1+1 apartment | from €90 000 | from €110 000 | from €150 000 |
| 2+1 apartment | from €120 000 | from €140 000 | from €180 000 |
| Complex with amenities | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental liquidity | High | High | Segmented |
Total initial budget (first 3 months)
| Relocation format | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | €8 000–11 000 | €9 000–13 000 | €11 000–16 000 |
| Purchase + relocation | from €100 000 | from €120 000 | from €160 000 |
Key takeaways by region
- Alanya and Antalya — a balanced option in terms of price, climate, and adaptation;
- Istanbul — the center of business and careers, but with the highest entry threshold.
Rent or buy: where relocation becomes cheaper
In 2026, more and more families conclude that renting is a temporary solution, while buying property becomes part of the relocation strategy.
- rent increases faster than inflation;
- quality apartments leave the market quickly;
- rent is checked especially strictly when renewing a residence permit;
- property ownership simplifies legalization.
📌 That is why more and more people consider buying an apartment in Turkey as part of the relocation budget, not a “separate step.”
How much does a residence permit cost in Turkey in 2026
Residence permit processing (ikamet) includes government fees, insurance, notary costs, and address registration.
Average budget — €250–400 per person (excluding rent or property purchase).
Important: residence permit rules in Turkey in 2026
In 2026, residence permit processing in Turkey has become more formalized, but it is crucial to understand:
- requirements are the same for all foreigners,
- there are no nationality-based differences,
- checks concern income, housing, and actual residence, not citizenship.
This means that the key role is played by a proper residence permit strategy, not the applicant’s country of origin.
If you own property, the procedure becomes more predictable, as ownership is one of the most stable grounds for residence.
👉 More details about the rules and nuances of obtaining a residence permit in 2026:
- Residence permit in Turkey for property owners
Relocating with children: school and adaptation
If you relocate to Turkey with children, expenses increase due to:
- private schools;
- kindergartens;
- language adaptation.
Alanya and Antalya benefit due to:
- Russian-speaking and international schools;
- a calm environment;
- less stress for children.
📌 Therefore, these cities are most often chosen by families.
May be useful
Why Move to Turkey in 2026? 20 Real Relocation Reasons
Why Turkey remains one of the most practical and balanced relocation destinations in 2026 — without illusions or marketing slogans.
Read article →
How much does a child’s education in Turkey cost in 2026
Real costs of schools, fees, additional payments, and hidden budget items.
Read article →%20-%202026-01-09T153652.954.jpg)
Why RestProperty clients spend less when relocating
RestProperty is a licensed real estate agency in Turkey since 2003.
We work not as intermediaries, but as a filter of risks and liquidity:
- over 20,000 properties in the portfolio;
- operations in Turkey, Dubai, Thailand, and Northern Cyprus;
- full verification of properties and developers;
- post-transaction support;
- our own rental department, which works exclusively with clients who purchased property through RestProperty.
We are regularly approached “off the street” with requests to rent out apartments —
and we refuse. This service is part of a closed ecosystem for our clients.
Why large agencies offer cheaper and safer real estate
Company Head — Nihat Tufan
Common mistakes when calculating a relocation budget
%20-%202026-01-09T154517.241.jpg)
- counting only rent and forgetting the deposit;
- not budgeting for furniture and household expenses;
- relocating without a residence permit strategy;
- choosing a city “by rumors” rather than by numbers.
Read more in the article: The most dangerous mistakes when buying seaside property
Conclusion
Relocating to Turkey in 2026 is neither cheap nor expensive.
It is a manageable process if planned in advance.
Optimal strategy:
- choose a city;
- calculate the budget;
- secure housing;
- legalize your stay;
- only then think about permanent residence, business, or investments.
This is exactly how families and investors act today — those who preserve money, nerves, and their future.
🔄 Updated: 2026
The material has been updated taking into account real relocation costs to Turkey in 2026, current residence permit (ikamet) requirements, the rental and real estate market situation, and practical experience of families relocating with children.
We regularly update data on cities, budgets, and migration procedures so that the information remains useful not in theory, but in practice — for those who are planning a serious relocation to Turkey.
