Kimlik and Ikamet in Turkey: Key Differences and Essential Documents Explained

Confused by Turkish documents? Learn the difference between Ikamet and Kimlik, how to get your 99-series ID, and what to do if your residency card is lost.

New Time Investment is a real estate agency in Alanya (Antalya, Turkey). We help international buyers choose, buy and rent apartments, villas and commercial property, complete the deal, obtain a residence permit and manage property.

Ikamet (ikamet izni) is a residence permit for foreigners in Turkey, while a kimlik is simply the Turkish word for "identification card." Officially, the T.C. kimlik kartı is issued only to Turkish citizens. Foreigners often refer to their residence permit card as a "kimlik" because it serves as their ID within the country and features a foreigner identification number starting with 99. Below, we explain the differences between these documents, where each is required, and what to do if you lose your residence permit card.

What is an ikamet and why is it called a kimlik?

Ikamet izni is a residence permit issued by the Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi). It is mandatory if a foreigner intends to stay in Turkey beyond their visa-free allowance or for longer than 90 days (Article 19 of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection). There are six types: short-term, family, student, long-term, humanitarian, and human trafficking victim permits (Article 30). Property owners typically receive a short-term residence permit based on Article 31, which specifically provides for "those who own real estate in Turkey." For more details on the types and application process, see our article "Residence Permit in Turkey."

The permit is confirmed by a plastic card (ikamet izni belgesi) displaying a photo, expiration date, type of permit, and foreigner identification number. You should carry this card with you to present to the police, banks, public notaries, or mobile service providers. Since "kimlik" is the Turkish term for any ID card, foreigners commonly adopt this word, though legally speaking, a residence permit is not a Turkish national ID card (kimlik kartı).

Key information regarding validity:

The residence permit is issued for a duration at least 60 days shorter than your passport's expiration date (Article 23). If your passport is nearing its end, your permit will be limited accordingly.
Renewal applications should be submitted no earlier than 60 days before expiration and must be filed before the current permit expires (Article 24).
The permit becomes invalid if it is not utilized within 6 months of being granted (Article 19).
After 8 years of continuous residence, you may become eligible to apply for a long-term (indefinite) residence permit (Articles 42–43).

What is a kimlik: The identity card for Turkish citizens

T.C. kimlik kartı ("Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Kimlik Kartı") is the internal ID card for Turkish citizens. It is issued by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs (Nüfus ve Vatandaşlık İşleri, NVİ) through local Nüfus (population) offices. According to NVİ, the card is valid for 10 years, is made of polycarbonate, and contains a contact/contactless chip with biometric data.

Within Turkey, the kimlik replaces a passport for citizens; it is used to open bank accounts, sign contracts, and access e-Devlet. The card features the T.C. kimlik numarası, the citizen's unique personal registry number.

Costs for 2026, according to the NVİ schedule: renewal — 220 TL; replacement due to loss of a chipped card — 440 TL. This fee (değerli kağıt bedeli) is adjusted annually.

Foreigner Identification Number (YKN) and Tax Number

Yabancı kimlik numarası (YKN) is a personal identification number for foreigners. Law No. 6458 defines it as the number assigned to foreigners under Law No. 5490 on Population Registration Services. Practically everyone issued a residence permit, work permit, or international protection document receives one. PTT, which issues e-Devlet passwords, notes that these numbers typically start with 99 or 98 and consist of 11 digits, mirroring the citizen ID format.

Three numbers that are frequently confused:

YKN (99…) — Your personal number in the registration system. This is the key that links your residence permit to your e-Devlet account, banks, and utility providers.
Residence permit card number or application number — This is a different reference number; do not use this in forms where a YKN is requested.
Tax Number (vergi kimlik numarası or potansiyel vergi numarası) — Issued by the Tax Office (GİB). It is required for purchasing property, opening bank accounts, and setting up utilities, and is obtained using your passport before you even have a residence permit. See how to obtain it in our article "Turkish Tax ID (vergi numarası)."

A common mistake: assuming that presenting your residence permit card at a bank or tax office will automatically update your existing contracts. If you previously registered an account or utility service using your passport and tax number, you must manually update your records by providing your YKN to the bank, service provider, or management company.

The Blue Card and Kimlik for new citizens

Mavi kart (Blue Card) is a document for individuals who were citizens of Turkey by birth but renounced their citizenship with official permission, as well as their descendants up to the third generation (Article 28 of Law No. 5901). Holders retain most citizens' rights, with exceptions such as the right to vote, run for office, serve in the military, or hold permanent government civil service positions. The Ministry of Labor clarifies that Blue Card holders do not require a work permit. Under Law No. 6458 (Article 20), they are also exempt from needing a residence permit. The card itself suffices for e-Devlet access.

A foreigner who acquires Turkish citizenship — for example, through property investment (see "Turkish Citizenship by Investment") — is entered into the population register as a citizen. They are assigned a T.C. number and receive an official kimlik kartı at the Nüfus office. From that point on, a residence permit is no longer needed, and it is recommended to update all existing contracts and accounts to your new T.C. number, as systems may otherwise still identify you under the old YKN.

Comparison of documents: table

Parameter	Ikamet (Residence Permit Card)	T.C. kimlik kartı	Mavi kart
Eligible for	Foreigners residing in Turkey over 90 days	Turkish citizens, including those who acquired citizenship	Former citizens by birth and descendants up to the 3rd generation
Issued by	Göç İdaresi (Migration Management)	NVİ (Nüfus Office)	NVİ (Nüfus Office) or Consulate
Number	YKN, starting with 99 (98)	T.C. kimlik numarası	T.C. number in the Blue Card registry
Validity	Based on permit; min. 60 days less than passport	10 years	Residence permit not required
2026 card fee	964 TL plus permit fees per nationality	220 TL for replacement, 440 TL if lost	Check with NVİ
Voting, military	No	Yes	No
e-Devlet access	Yes, via PTT with permit card	Yes, from age 15	Yes, via Blue Card

Where each document is required

Banks. You can open an account without a residence permit using only your passport and tax number, though terms are at the bank's discretion. With a residence permit, the process is smoother: the bank can verify your YKN and address, ensuring full access to online banking and international transfers without extra verification hurdles.

e-Devlet. Access to the government portal is available to foreigners only if they have a YKN. Passwords are issued in person at PTT branches or Türksat Kablo offices upon presentation of a valid residence permit card. If you are there on a work permit, you will also need your passport, so it is best to carry both. You can request your e-Devlet password in any province, regardless of where your residence permit was issued. Read more in our article "e-Devlet in Turkey."

Notaries. Powers of attorney and other notarized documents are processed using your passport; take your residence permit card with you as a supporting document if you have one. If you are not fluent in Turkish, the notary will require a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) to be present.

Property Purchase. A residence permit (ikamet) is not required for purchasing property: the transaction at the Land Registry Office (tapu müdürlüğü) is conducted using your passport and tax ID number. On the contrary, owning property serves as a legal basis for obtaining a short-term residence permit (Article 31).

Rentals. Rental agreements are signed using your passport. However, for a residence permit based on rental, you generally need a notarized lease agreement, and your address must be registered in the Address Registration System (adres kayıt sistemi). Foreigners arriving with a residence permit or a work permit obtained via a consulate are required to register their address within 20 working days of entry (Article 26).

Phone and SIM card registration. According to the BTK amendments published on 11.06.2026 (Resmî Gazete No. 33277), the identity of a foreigner without a Turkish electronic ID is verified via the Göç İdaresi mobile application using facial recognition. The YKN (Foreigner Identity Number) is entered into the contract; if you do not have one, the passport number with the country code is used. Therefore, if you hold a residence permit card, the line is registered to your YKN, while tourists use their passports.

What to do if your residence permit card is lost

If your residence permit card is lost, stolen, damaged, or issued with an error, it must be reissued. Your permit status remains valid—only the physical document changes. According to the guidelines from the Istanbul Immigration Office (the process is identical in other provinces, though you should verify the list of documents with your local office):

Obtain a loss report (kayıp tutanağı) from a police station or the courthouse (adliye). In case of theft, specify this in your police statement.
Pay half of the residence permit fee according to your country's tariff (one-quarter for children under 18) and the card processing fee. The card fee in 2026 is 964 TL; there are no exemptions from this fee for any nationality. Note that some older guidelines may cite outdated fees, so always check the current amount on the official Göç İdaresi website.
Prepare a biometric photo, a proof of address from the Nüfus office (yerleşim yeri belgesi) or a notarized rental agreement, and a copy of your passport.
Submit the documents in person to the immigration office in your district. For residents of Alanya, this is the provincial office in Antalya (İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü).

The Foreigners Communication Center (YİMER) hotline is 157. It answers questions about residence permits in five languages, including English. While waiting for your new card, keep your passport and the loss report with you. Do not delay your application, especially if your permit is nearing its expiration date: renewal applications must be submitted before the expiration, and losing your card does not pause that timeline.

FAQ

Are "kimlik" and "ikamet" the same thing?

No. "İkamet" refers to a foreign resident's residence permit, while "kimlik" (T.C. kimlik kartı) is the national identity card for Turkish citizens. Calling a residence permit card a "kimlik" is common in casual conversation, but technically incorrect.

What is the number starting with 99?

This is the yabancı kimlik numarası (YKN)—the foreign national ID number in the Turkish registration system. It is printed on your residence permit card and is essential for using e-Devlet, banking services, and telecommunications.

Are the YKN and tax ID number the same?

No, these are two different identifiers. The tax ID is issued by GİB and can be obtained with just a passport before getting a residence permit—for example, to buy an apartment.

Can I buy property without an ikamet?

Yes. The purchase is processed using your passport and a tax ID number. After the title deed (Tapu) is registered, you may apply for a short-term residence permit under the "property owner" category.

Do I need an ikamet after obtaining citizenship or a Blue Card?

No. New citizens receive a T.C. kimlik kartı, and Mavi Kart holders are exempt from residence permit requirements under Law No. 6458.

How much does it cost to replace a lost residence permit card?

Half of the residence permit fee based on your country's tariff plus the card processing fee, which is 964 TL in 2026. Please verify the specific country fee in the Göç İdaresi table at the time of your application.