Hi Everyone,

I moved to Turkey about 1 year ago. My wife is Turkish, I am French and we married 3 years ago in the UK.
My company is based in London, and I don't have any income from Turkey. I manage my company from Istanbul.

I travel every month to London and Europe.

After talking to several people, one told me that I needed an Ikamet, and many others (including French chamber of commerce, lawyers) told me not if I don't work in Turkey.

I am a bit confused, do I need one? or not?

thanks in advance for your help.

regards

maxou17

Yes you do have to inform your address and get an ikamtgah(resident certificate) pursuant to Identity Service Law numbered 5490. It has nothing to do with working here or not. If you reside in Turkey you are obliged to register and dully inform your residence details to officials to do otherwise has got criminal liability!!!!

However, It cannot be said that this rule is applied dully!! But when we take into account that you are living here as a foreigner , and also because of our government's willigness to restruct the state apply rules, I advise you to obey the rules....

Salut Max,
I am french too, married to a Turk.
If you get your wage in another county and keep your primary residency in the other country where you pay tax accordingly. If you are in Turkey for periods not exceeding your tourist visa which is 3 month, then yo do not need an Ikamet.

If you want to stay for periods exceeding 3 months without having to exit the country, and change your country of residence then you will need to register for Ikamet as a spouse of a Turkish person you need to follow the procedure accordingly.
Then your primary residence will be moved to Istanbul. The fee depends on the bilateral agreement and for the french it is relatively expensive , there is a fixed fee and a variable fee depending on the length of your Ikamet (up to 3 or 4 years the first time if i remember well. Lots of paperwork as usual with the local administration. You can still work for a company abroad and pay the tax abroad in the country you get your wage. If you were to start working in Turkey for a Turkish company you will have to apply for a work visa or pernit with the company to sponsor you.

PS: you can only get your "ikemetgah" (prrof of residency) from your local Muhtar if you are registered in the system so you need to have an Ikamet (residency permit) for this.

if you dont exceed your visa status or legally given status than you dont need an ikamet.ikamet is for people who are staying in Turkey for a long time.

Simple, you are classed as a tourist. Therefore as long as you are not exceedıng your stay ( 3 months) in Turkey you will be fine.

You are exiting from Turkey every month by going to London or other European Countries. Every time you exit you gain 3 months tourist visa.

If you have any other questions in your mind please Pm me bruv:)