Türkiye has hosted a UK retiree and lifestyle-mover community for decades — the largest concentrations are along the Fethiye-Hisarönü-Ölüdeniz coast (often called "British Türkiye"), the Bodrum peninsula and the Antalya region. The drivers are the same in 2026 as they have been: lower cost of living than the UK, mild Mediterranean climate, accessible private healthcare, and a culturally easy expat community to plug into.
British citizens get visa-free entry for stays up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling period. Long-term residence requires a Turkish residence permit, typically applied for in-country. The short-term residence permit is the most-used route, with renewals available.
Post-Brexit changes have made Türkiye relatively more attractive for Britons compared to EU options — no Schengen 90/180 cap, predictable property purchase rules, and a residence permit pathway that doesn't require EU-level paperwork.