Last updated: 30 April 2026
Short answer: Foreigners moving to Türkiye need roughly ten official government websites and apps in practice — for residence permits, tax numbers, doctor appointments, title deeds and emergency alerts. The rest are niche.
This guide is the bookmark list. Ten essentials you'll actually use, organised by when you'll need them, with the niche stuff in a "more sources" appendix at the bottom for when something specific comes up.
The ten essentials
These cover roughly 90% of what a foreigner relocating to Türkiye does with the public sector. If you only bookmark ten things, make it these.
1. e-Devlet — turkiye.gov.tr
The single sign-on for almost every Turkish public service. Once you have a Turkish ID number (citizen or foreigner) and an e-Devlet password, you can pull address documents, criminal record certificates, social-security records, vehicle records, court summaries and a long tail of other official documents from one login.
When you'll need it. From your second week onwards, for almost every official process.
2. e-İkamet — e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr
The official residence permit application portal, run by the Presidency of Migration Management. You file your first application here, book the in-person appointment, and renew through the same system.
When you'll need it. First application, every renewal. See the Residence Permit Cost Calculator for what to budget.
3. YİMER 157 — goc.gov.tr
The Foreigners Communication Center, run by Migration Management. Dial 157 from inside Türkiye or +90 312 157 11 22 from abroad. They answer in multiple languages and can confirm migration questions before you fly.
When you'll need it. Before flying with any open question, and after arrival when something on your file looks off.
4. Digital Tax Office — dijital.gib.gov.tr
The Revenue Administration's online tax services. The most relevant flow for foreigners is the potential tax number application, which gives you the tax ID needed to open a bank account, sign a long-term lease, register a phone, and pay residence-permit fees.
When you'll need it. First two weeks after arrival. Run the Tax Residency Calculator before you cross 90 days in-country.
5. e-Nabız — enabiz.gov.tr
The Ministry of Health's personal health record system. Once you start using Turkish healthcare, your prescriptions, test results, radiology reports and visit history live here. It links to e-Devlet for login.
When you'll need it. First time you see a Turkish doctor or fill a prescription.
6. MHRS — mhrs.gov.tr
The central appointment system for public hospitals, family physicians and public clinics. You book through the website or app and arrive with the slot number. Foreigners enrolled in SGK can use this just like citizens.
When you'll need it. Any time you need a public-health appointment.
7. WebTapu — webtapu.tkgm.gov.tr
The online portal for title deed and land-registry transactions. Property buyers track their deed transfers and access certain documents here. The companion Parcel Inquiry is the official way to check parcel-level information before you buy.
When you'll need it. Property purchase, title-deed transfer, and any property due diligence.
8. NVI — nvi.gov.tr
The Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs. Run the appointment system to book identity, passport, driving licence and address-related visits. Foreigners encounter NVI during address registration, identity-card issuance and citizenship processes.
When you'll need it. Address registration after arrival, citizenship-by-investment paperwork, driving-licence conversion.
9. AFAD Acil — afad.gov.tr
Türkiye's Disaster and Emergency Management Authority app. Türkiye is earthquake-prone, particularly along the North Anatolian fault that runs through Istanbul and Izmir. The app shows nearest assembly areas, sends emergency alerts and provides disaster-response guidance. The companion AFAD Deprem feeds live earthquake data.
When you'll need it. Install both before your first night in Türkiye. They're the official source.
10. KADES — icisleri.gov.tr/kadin-destek-uygulamasi-kades
The Ministry of Interior's emergency-support app for women, run with the National Police. Acts as a panic button for urgent police response. Foreign women living in Türkiye should know it exists.
When you'll need it. Hopefully never. Worth installing anyway.
Sources by category
If you want to skim by topic, the same essentials grouped:
Visa, entry and residence
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — visa rules, consular guidance.
- Official e-Visa portal — e-Visa application for eligible nationalities.
- Migration Management (English) — residence permit information in English.
- e-İkamet — apply / renew residence permits.
- YİMER 157 — official migration help line.
Tax and money
- Revenue Administration — main tax authority.
- Digital Tax Office — tax number application, online payments.
- Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye — official exchange rates and inflation data.
Healthcare
- Ministry of Health — health system policy.
- e-Nabız — personal health records.
- MHRS — public-hospital appointments.
- SGK — social-security and public-health insurance.
Property and land
- General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre — title deed authority.
- WebTapu — online title-deed portal.
- Parcel Inquiry — official parcel lookup.
- Investment Office: Acquiring Property and Citizenship — English-friendly overview of foreign property acquisition.
Identity and address
- NVI — citizenship, identity, address registration.
- NVI appointment system — book identity-related visits.
Emergency and safety
- AFAD Acil — disaster-response app.
- AFAD Deprem — earthquake alerts and data.
- KADES — women's safety app.
Investment and business setup
- Investment Office of the Presidency — English-language investment guide.
- Establishing a Business in Türkiye — official company-formation guide.
Authoritative legal references
- Official Gazette — final published laws, regulations, fee updates.
- Legislation Information System — searchable database of Turkish legislation.
How authentication ties it together
Most of the above sit behind one of three login methods:
- e-Devlet password. Issued by the post office (PTT). Citizens and many foreign residents can obtain one. This is the most universal key.
- Mobile signature or electronic signature. Used by professionals, businesses and some public-service flows.
- Internet banking authentication. Some banks let you authenticate to e-Devlet through their app.
If you're moving as a foreigner, the practical sequence is: arrive → get a tax number from the Digital Tax Office → register your address → apply for the residence permit through e-İkamet → once your foreigner ID number is active, get an e-Devlet password from PTT. From that point, most other government services unlock.
When to confirm something at the source
Three rules that save people from costly mistakes:
- Fees and tax rules change. When fees matter to a decision, confirm the current figure on the relevant ministry's site, not on a blog.
- Laws move through the Official Gazette. Anything you read about a new regime — including the proposed 20-year foreign-income exemption — is only enforceable once it lands in the Gazette.
- Personal facts decide tax positions. Even with the right official source, a Turkish tax or immigration advisor needs to apply it to your situation.
More sources (when something specific comes up)
These are useful when a specific situation calls for them. Most foreigners can ignore them until they don't.
- Ministry of Trade and MERSİS — company registration.
- Ministry of Labour and Social Security and Work Permit Application System — work permits.
- Ministry of Justice and UYAP Citizen Portal — court files and legal proceedings.
- Ministry of National Education and Council of Higher Education — schools and higher education.
- PTT — postal services, e-Devlet password issuance, HGS toll account.
- CİMER — Presidency Communication Center for formal complaints/requests.
- Açık Kapı — Ministry of Interior request system for governorate-level matters.
City-specific portals that come up depending on where you settle:
- Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
- Antalya Metropolitan Municipality
- Izmir Metropolitan Municipality
- Ankara Metropolitan Municipality
- Muğla Metropolitan Municipality (Bodrum, Fethiye)
Use this list with the calculators
Each of our calculators ties into the same official-source layer above. If you're planning a move, the natural sequence is:
- Istanbul Cost of Living Calculator — what's it really cost.
- Tax Residency Calculator — will Türkiye be your tax home.
- Foreign Income Tax Checker — does the foreign-income angle matter for you.
- Residence Permit Cost Calculator — what to budget for the application.
- Moving to Turkey Checklist — what order to do everything in.
Bookmark the ten essentials at the top, run the calculators, and confirm anything legally load-bearing at the official source before you commit to it.