Russian exodus accelerates as Türkiye clamps down on residency permits

Türkiye is rapidly losing its appeal among Russian citizens, with the number of Russians residing permanently in the country nearly halving over the past two years.

According to data provided by the Russian Embassy in Ankara, the population of Russian nationals living in Türkiye dropped from 154,000 in 2023 to just 85,000 in 2025, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“There has been a steady decline in interest in living in the Republic of Türkiye among Russian citizens,” Russian diplomats told media.

Following the onset of the “special military operation,” Türkiye became one of the primary destinations for relocating Russians. However, beginning in 2024, local and Russian media began reporting an accelerated outflow—not only of recent relocators but also of long-term residents. The principal drivers behind this trend include soaring inflation, a skyrocketing real estate market, and increasing difficulties in renewing residence permits.

With inflation hovering around 33%, housing prices in Türkiye have risen by over 30% year-on-year, according to the country’s central bank. This economic pressure is compounded by bureaucratic obstacles for foreign residents.

"Many of my acquaintances living in tourist areas (Antalya, Alanya), as well as in Istanbul, are not having their residence permits renewed. At the same time, these people have been living in Türkiye for 5–10 years. They can refuse to renew your residence permit even if you own property," said Irina Neplyueva, a resident of Istanbul. "Living without a residence permit means being illegal. Not everyone is ready for that."

Russian citizens primarily rely on short-term residence permits, often known as tourist permits, which are valid for six months and now require proof of 25,000 Turkish lira (approximately $900) in a local bank account. However, applicants are facing stricter controls and shifting requirements.

“For example, they require the latest gas bill. Or a photo of the wrong format. They regularly change something,” said a Russian woman residing in Türkiye who requested anonymity.

“There are difficulties with registration. For example, my employer mistakenly issued me a residence permit in Trabzon. As a result, I could not register in Istanbul, where I now live. In the end, I came up with a plan myself: we drew up a notarised document stating that my friend is responsible for all my expenses and that I live with her. Only through this scheme was I able to register.”

The Russian Embassy further noted that certain districts have been closed to foreign property buyers and renters, tax burdens on non-citizens have increased, and migration controls have tightened. In August 2024, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the end of residence permits for those entering solely for tourism purposes.

As a result, many Russians are either returning home or relocating elsewhere. Popular alternative destinations include Serbia, Portugal, Spain, and Georgia. However, financial constraints and administrative hurdles continue to complicate relocation.

Beyond logistical and financial concerns, disillusionment with the local quality of life has also played a role.

“The problems are the usual ones — not knowing the language or the mentality, feeling that people want to cheat you at every turn. So I left at the first opportunity,” said Alexander, a former resident who relocated to Portugal.

“In Türkiye, almost everything is done slowly and not always logically. What they say today may be different tomorrow. Rules can change, promises may not be kept. This is not malice, but part of the local mentality. If you are used to structure and predictability, you will have to adapt,” said Ekaterina, who currently resides in Ankara.

By Vafa Guliyeva