Turkey at a glance
| Entry | 90 days in 180 · Visa-free for U.S. citizens |
|---|---|
| Retiree route | Residence permit · Short-term ikamet |
| Base | Incirlik AB · Near Adana |
| Time zone | UTC+3 · Currency: Turkish lira |
| Cost of living | Roughly USD 1,100–1,600 a month outside central Istanbul. High inflation means lira prices change fast. |
| Money · language · time | Turkish lira (TRY) · Turkish · UTC+3 |
Entering Turkey
U.S. citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180. Longer stays need a residence permit, which you apply for inside Turkey through e-ikamet before your visa-free time runs out.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- Short-term residence permit (kısa dönem ikamet) from the Presidency of Migration Management: apply online at e-ikamet, then attend an appointment. You show a rental contract or deed, health insurance and enough funds. Usually issued for 1 to 2 years and renewable.
- Some neighborhoods in Istanbul, Antalya and other cities are closed to new residence permits because of foreign-resident quotas. Check before signing a lease.
- Spouses of Turkish citizens apply for a family residence permit.
VA care and benefits in Turkey
No VA medical facility. FMP reimbursement. VA doesn't list an FMP toll-free number for Turkey. Check SSA's Service Around the World page for the Federal Benefits Unit that serves Turkey.
Vets in Turkey are already in the group
Ask about visas, hospitals and FMP claims from people who've done it there.
Healthcare
Large private hospital groups (Acıbadem, Memorial, Medicana) in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Antalya offer good care at moderate prices. Residence permit applicants need health insurance; older applicants may face limited policy choices.
Where veterans live
- Adana: Near Incirlik Air Base.
- Antalya / Alanya: Mediterranean coast, big expat base.
- Izmir: Aegean city, home of a NATO presence.
- Istanbul: Huge, historic, consulate. Watch the permit quotas.
Cost of living and property
Roughly USD 1,100–1,600 a month outside central Istanbul. High inflation means lira prices change fast. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle, and health insurance is extra.
Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, can buy property, except in military and security zones. Buying above a set value can lead to citizenship.
Watch out for
State Department advisory: Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to terrorism and arbitrary detentions. Do not travel within 10 km of the Syrian or Iraqi borders (Level 4). Criticizing the government, including on social media, can lead to arrest. Retiree access to Incirlik depends on SOFA status and base rules; most retirees without a base job won't have regular access.
Veteran organizations
None confirmed. Ask Incirlik's retiree activities office about local veteran groups. See all veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
Do Americans need a visa for Turkey?
No, not for visits of up to 90 days in any 180. For longer stays, apply for a residence permit inside Turkey through e-ikamet.
Can veterans use Incirlik Air Base?
Access depends on SOFA status, ID category and base policy. Retirees living locally without a base job usually don't have routine access. Contact the base Pass and ID office.
Can I buy a home in Turkey?
Yes, outside military and security zones. Use a licensed lawyer and check the title deed (tapu).
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
