Working Remotely from Türkiye: Digital Nomad Visa, Work Permissions, Tax & Social Security

Working from Türkiye can be straightforward for a short stay, but immigration status, the right to work, tax, employer policy, and social security are separate questions. A visa-free entry or residence permit is not a blanket authorization to work in Türkiye.

This guide is practical information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and consular requirements can change, so confirm your personal case with the relevant authority and a qualified adviser before relocating.

The Digital Nomad route, step by step

Türkiye's Digital Nomad program has three steps, each handled by a different authority. The certificate is not a visa, and the visa is not a residence permit — each can be refused on its own.

Digital Nomad Identification Certificate — online, from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which checks that you qualify.
Digital nomad visa — from the Turkish consulate or visa application center for where you live, with the certificate. Consular visas allow a stay of at most 90 days.
Short-term residence permit — once you're in Türkiye on that visa, you can apply through e-İkamet, within the visa period, for a six-month short-term residence permit for tourism purposes.

Who qualifies

Only citizens of these 36 countries can apply:

EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Rest of Europe: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Belarus, Russian Federation, Ukraine
North America: United States, Canada

Cyprus is the one EU country not on the list. Australia isn't on either official list (GoTürkiye's or YİMER's). The Los Angeles consulate's checklist shows "Australia" where the others have Austria — with Estonia listed twice, it reads as a typo, but if it affects you, confirm with your consulate before applying.

You also need to:

Be aged 21 to 55.
Hold a university degree.
Earn at least USD 3,000 a month or USD 36,000 a year. The official page doesn't say whether that is gross or net.
Work remotely for a company outside Türkiye: an employment contract, or, if you're self-employed, a business contract with a client company. Contracts with companies in Türkiye don't count.
Have a passport valid for at least six months from your arrival. Separately, Turkish entry rules require it to run at least 60 days past the end of your permitted stay — check both.

Step 1: the certificate

Sign up on the GoTürkiye Digital Nomads platform and upload scans of your passport, your diploma or degree certificate, your contract, a biometric photo and proof of income. If the documents are sufficient, the platform assigns you a certificate. Questions about this step go to the Ministry at nomad@ktb.gov.tr.

Step 2: the visa — what a consulate asks for

Each mission sets its own checklist, fees and waiting times, so get yours from the mission that handles applications from where you live. As an example, the Turkish Consulate General in Los Angeles (2026 checklist) asks you to:

Print the pre-application form with a QR code from the digital nomad platform, then start an online application at visa.gov.tr and upload your documents.
Book the interview within 30 days of the pre-application, and bring paper copies of everything.
Bring, among other things: your degree, your contract (or, for freelancers, a letter from the company describing the project), a police certificate of good conduct, proof of lodging (a notarized invitation letter if someone is hosting you), your most recent bank statement, flight reservations (they don't need to be paid for yet), and travel health insurance for your whole stay with at least €30,000 of cover.
Pay a non-refundable visa fee — in Los Angeles, in cash or by money order only.

Processing there can take up to 30 days after the interview, and the consulate can't expedite it. Don't book non-refundable travel until the visa is in your passport.

Step 3: the residence permit

Apply through e-İkamet within your visa period. You'll need health insurance accepted for residence permits that covers the whole permit period — see our guide to health insurance for your residence permit. An application is not an approval: decisions can take up to 90 days, and your provincial migration directorate may ask for more documents. Questions go to YİMER 157.

A residence permit does not generally give you the right to take local employment — which is the next question.

Can you work for a Turkish employer or client?

Treat this as a separate question from remote work for a foreign employer or overseas clients.

Foreigners working in Türkiye generally need a work permit or a formal work-permit exemption unless a specific legal exception applies. Turkish employment, regular work for Turkish clients, or locally structured self-employment can create labor, immigration, tax, and social-security obligations.

A work-permit exemption is an official document issued through the Ministry’s process. It is not something to assume based on a tourist entry, Digital Nomad status, or short-term residence permit.

If your work involves a Turkish employer, Turkish clients, or a Turkish entity, get tailored advice before beginning work.

Get written employer approval

Even if your immigration position is in order, your employer may have its own restrictions on where you can work.

Longer-term work from Türkiye can raise questions for a foreign employer around payroll, corporate tax, permanent establishment, data security, insurance, client contracts, and social security. These outcomes depend on the facts, but they should not be discovered after you have moved.

Before relocating, ask your employer for written approval and confirm:

Whether Türkiye is an approved work location
How long you may work there
Whether your role, client access, or data access is restricted
Whether payroll, tax, or insurance arrangements need to change

Tax residence: the six-month rule is only a starting point

Under Türkiye’s general tax framework, someone may be treated as tax resident if they are domiciled in Türkiye or stay continuously in Türkiye for more than six months in a calendar year. Temporary absences do not necessarily interrupt that period.

There are exceptions for some people in Türkiye temporarily for work, business, study, treatment, rest, or travel. Tax treaties and the details of your home, work, income, and personal ties can also affect the result.

Tax residents are generally taxed on worldwide income, subject to applicable exemptions and tax treaties. Non-residents may still have Turkish tax obligations on certain Turkish-source income.

Do not assume that being paid abroad, using a foreign bank account, or working for a foreign company automatically means there is no Turkish tax exposure.

The new foreign-income exemption

A new provision, effective for people treated as Turkish tax residents from 1 January 2026, can provide a 20-year Turkish income-tax exemption for certain foreign income and gains.

In broad terms, it is intended for individuals who became resident in Türkiye after having no Turkish domicile or tax liability during the previous three calendar years.

This is important, but it is not an automatic “remote-worker tax exemption.” Whether your salary, freelance income, dividends, or other income qualifies depends on how the income is classified and sourced, your individual history, and any applicable tax treaty. Obtain advice before relying on it.

Social security is separate from tax

Social-security coverage is not determined solely by your visa or tax residence. Türkiye has bilateral social-security agreements with 35 countries, but the result depends on the country, the agreement, your employment arrangement, and whether you remain covered in your home system.

If you are sent to Türkiye by a foreign employer, self-employed, or working remotely for an overseas company, check:

Whether a social-security agreement applies
Whether you need proof of continuing coverage in your home country
Whether Turkish contributions may be due
Whether your health insurance meets the requirements for your stay

Do this before relocating; health insurance, social security, and immigration documentation often overlap in practice.

A practical pre-flight checklist

Before working remotely from Türkiye, confirm:

Your entry route and permitted stay
Whether you qualify for the Digital Nomad route
The Turkish mission’s current document requirements
Written approval from your employer
Whether your work touches Turkish clients, entities, or employment
Your likely tax-residence position
Whether the foreign-income exemption may apply to your exact income
Your social-security and health-insurance coverage
Your plan for a residence permit if staying longer