Residence Permit in Turkey 2025: New Rules, UETS, and Mandatory Appointments
Relocating to Turkey remains a popular choice for thousands of foreigners—from young families and retirees to investors. However, in 2025, the process of obtaining and renewing a residence permit (ikamet) has undergone significant changes. The most notable updates involve electronic notifications via the UETS system and mandatory online appointments for key procedures.
If you are planning to apply for or renew your Turkish residence permit, it’s crucial to understand the latest requirements—this will save you time and avoid complications.
What’s New for Residence Permits in 2025?
Key updates include:
✅ Mandatory registration in UETS (National Electronic Notification System)
✅ Proof of income required for renewing short-term (tourist) residence permits
✅ Online appointments required for all key procedures, such as fingerprinting and address registration
What Is UETS and Why Is It Important?
UETS (Ulusal Elektronik Tebligat Sistemi) is Turkey’s official system for sending electronic notifications. Since 2024, it has become mandatory for all foreigners applying for or renewing residence permits. Without registration, you cannot receive official notices or complete your renewal process.
How to Register for UETS?
You can register in two ways:
1. In-person at a PTT (Turkish Post Office) branch
Required documents:
- Passport
- Foreigner identification number (starting with 99…)
- Turkish GSM number
- Valid email address
- Completed UETS and User Agreement forms
2. Online at www.etebligat.gov.tr
Available only for users with an e-signature (e-imza).
💡 Tip: If you don’t have an e-Devlet account, you can get your login credentials at any PTT branch using your passport. These credentials are required to activate UETS.
New Financial Requirements for Tourist Residence Permits
If you’re renewing a short-term (tourist) residence permit, you must now prove financial stability.
According to Article 15 of Law No. 6458, you must provide:
📄 Proof of regular income for the past 3 months
📎 Or documentation from immediate family members legally residing in Turkey
No Appointment – No Service: New Rule for All Applicants
Regardless of the type of residence permit (tourist, family, student, etc.), you must now book an appointment in advance for address registration, fingerprinting, and other services.
Important to note:
📅 Appointments must be booked online in advance
🚷 Walk-ins are not accepted
⏳ If you miss your appointment, rebooking is only possible after 15 days
🔒 Same-day appointments are often unavailable
📌 Plan ahead—especially if your current permit is expiring soon
Don’t Get Lost in Bureaucracy
If this is your first time applying or renewing your permit, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The legal team at MyAntalya® is here to help:
✔️ Prepare and verify all necessary documents
✔️ Register you in the UETS system
✔️ Book your appointment
✔️ Guide you legally and stress-free through each step
Need Help with a Residence Permit in Turkey?
📞 Contact us for a free consultation. We’ll explain what to do in your specific case and walk you through the process.
🔗 Explore our property listings in Turkey—ideal for residence permit purposes.
