How Much Does It Cost to Move to Turkey: 2026 Budget
How Much Does It Cost to Move to Turkey: 2026 Budget
The cost of relocating to Turkey in 2026 is one of the most common questions among those considering emigration, residence permits, or property purchases in Turkey.
Unlike “theoretical” calculations, a real relocation is always a combination of expenses: flights, renting or buying housing, residence permit registration, insurance, school, transportation, furniture, and daily living costs.
In this article, we break down the real costs of moving to Turkey in 2026, without marketing illusions — using Alanya, Antalya, and Istanbul as examples.
What Is Included in the Relocation Budget to Turkey in 2026
In practice, moving to Turkey includes:
- air tickets;
- renting or purchasing housing;
- residence permit (ikamet) registration;
- health insurance;
- school or kindergarten expenses (if relocating with children);
- transportation;
- furniture and initial setup;
- mandatory and recurring payments.
Important: the main differences in budget depend not on the country, but on the city and strategy — renting or buying, short-term stay or a “serious” relocation.
Real Relocation Budget to Turkey in 2026: Regional Comparison
Below are average figures that clients realistically face when moving to Turkey in 2026.
📊 Table: How Much Does It Cost to Move to Turkey (Alanya, Antalya, Istanbul)
💰 Basic expenses (family of 3–4 people)
| Expense Item | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air tickets | €900–1,400 | €900–1,400 | €1,000–1,600 |
| Rent 2+1 (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 |
| Maintenance fee (monthly) | €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 |
| Transport (monthly) | €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 |
🏠 Purchase of Liquid Property (Entry Threshold)
| Parameter | Alanya | Antalya | Istanbul |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment 1+1 | from €90,000 | from €110,000 | from €150,000 |
| Apartment 2+1 | from €120,000 | from €140,000 | from €180,000 |
| Complex with infrastructure | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental liquidity | High | High | Segmented |
📊 Total Starting 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 |
🔎 Brief Regional Conclusions
- Alanya / Antalya — a balanced option in terms of price, climate, and adaptation
- Istanbul — business, career, international environment, but the highest entry cost
Rent or Buy Property: Where Relocation Becomes Cheaper
In 2026, more and more families conclude:
renting in Turkey = temporary, buying = strategy.
Why?
- rent increases faster than inflation;
- good apartments are rented out quickly;
- rent is checked especially strictly when extending residence permits;
- property ownership simplifies legalization.
That is why 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 (ikamet) registration in Turkey includes:
- state fees;
- insurance;
- notary expenses;
- address registration.
Average budget:
€250–400 per person (excluding rent or property purchase).
Important: Residence permit rules in Turkey in 2026
In 2026, the residence permit process in Turkey has become more formalized, but it is crucial to understand:
- the requirements are the same for all foreigners,
- there are no nationality-based differences,
- checks focus on income, housing, and actual residence — not citizenship.
This means that the key role is played by the correct 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 residency.
👉 More about residence permit rules and nuances in 2026:
Relocating with Children: School and Adaptation
If you move 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 calmer environment;
- less stress for children.
That is why these cities are more often chosen by families.
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 for risks and liquidity:
- over 20,000 properties in our portfolio;
- operations in Turkey, Dubai, Thailand, and Northern Cyprus;
- full verification of properties and developers;
- post-transaction support;
- an in-house rental department working exclusively with clients who purchased property through RestProperty.
We are regularly approached “from the street” with requests to rent out apartments — and we refuse. This service is part of a closed ecosystem for our clients.
Why property is cheaper and safer with large agencies
Company Director — Nihat Tufan
Common Mistakes When Calculating a Relocation Budget
- counting only rent and forgetting the deposit;
- not budgeting for furniture and household expenses;
- moving without a residence permit strategy;
- choosing a city “by rumors” rather than by numbers.
Read more: The most dangerous mistakes when buying seaside property
Conclusion
Moving to Turkey in 2026 is neither cheap nor expensive.
It is a manageable process if you calculate 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 to save money, nerves, and their future.
🔄 Updated: 2026
The material has been updated to reflect real relocation costs to Turkey in 2026, current residence permit (ikamet) requirements, the rental and property market situation, and the practical experience of families relocating with children.
We regularly update data on cities, budgets, and migration procedures so the information remains useful not in theory, but in practice — for those planning a serious move to Turkey.
