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At the beginning of 2025, a new system was introduced in Türkiye, allowing both Turkish citizens and foreigners to create rental agreements through the e-Devlet platform. However, while this system was accepted by some Provincial Directorates of Migration Management, it was rejected by others. As a result, foreign tenants were still required, in many cases, to sign notarized rental agreements in the presence of a notary public together with the property owner or the owner’s authorized representative.
When notary costs were calculated, multiple fees were added together: page fees, signature fees, notary service charges, sworn translation fees paid to a certified translator if the tenant did not speak Turkish, interpreter service fees charged by the notary, power of attorney verification fees if the rental was conducted by proxy, and, in addition to all these costs, stamp tax calculated at 0.189% of the total annual rental amount. For example, for a residential property with an annual rent of ₺240,000 ($5,530.85), the stamp tax alone amounted to approximately ₺453. In total, these expenses typically ranged between ₺4,000 and ₺8,000 (approximately $100–$200) per contract.
Especially in residence permit renewal applications and during address registration procedures following the issuance of a residence permit, it was not possible to proceed without a notarized rental agreement prepared in accordance with this procedure.
This practice has now definitively changed. Through the e-Devlet system, a property owner can generate an official and free rental agreement step by step by entering the foreign tenant’s residence permit identification number into the system, even if the owner is located outside the city or abroad, and without appointing any proxy. With mutual approval provided by both the landlord and the tenant through their respective e-Devlet accounts, a legally valid rental contract can be created.
The printed output of this contract is accepted by all Provincial and District Directorates of Migration Management across Türkiye. As of January 2026, the e-Devlet–generated rental agreement system has been fully recognized and uniformly implemented by all migration authorities nationwide, eliminating the inconsistencies that previously forced foreign tenants into costly notary procedures.
This service can only be used by foreigners who hold a residence permit ID number starting with 99 or 98 in Türkiye. Transactions cannot be carried out using a passport number alone.
When a property is rented through e-Devlet, the system automatically lists only the properties legally owned by the landlord. A property that does not belong to the person offering it for rent does not appear in the system and therefore cannot be rented. This structure significantly reduces the risk of fraud.
In addition, the system prevents landlords from avoiding tax obligations. Rental income is calculated directly through the platform based on the declared rental amount rather than relying solely on self-reporting. The system cannot be used via power of attorney and operates entirely online. Regardless of where they are in the world, all individuals registered in Türkiye’s state system can complete the process securely and efficiently.
For first-time residence permit applicants, a temporary identification number must be available in the system. In certain exceptional cases, where a first-time residence permit has been approved but remains pending due to missing documents, applications may still be processed in accordance with the internal regulations of the Migration Management. The final decision in such cases remains with the relevant directorates.
The system is available only in Turkish. This raises an important practical question: how can it be used?
Step 1: Log in to e-Devlet
The first step in creating a rental agreement through e-Devlet is logging into the portal. Users must visit the official website and sign in using their Turkish ID number and e-Devlet password, mobile signature, or other approved authentication methods. Once logged in, users gain access to an interface where all rental agreement procedures can be completed. Secure identity verification at this stage is essential for the integrity of the entire process.
Step 2: Search for and select the relevant service
After logging in, users must locate the appropriate service for creating a rental agreement. By typing “kira şözleşmesi” into the search bar, the relevant leasing service can be selected. Reviewing the service details carefully is important to ensure the correct option is chosen. Services typically labeled “Create a Rental Agreement via e-Devlet” guide users to the appropriate section.
Step 3: Enter the property details
Entering accurate information about the property is a critical stage. Details such as the address, property type (residential unit, workplace, etc.), and independent section number are required. Clearly stating these details helps prevent future legal disputes. Rental amount and contract duration must also be specified at this stage, and all information must be entered fully and accurately to protect the rights of both parties.
Step 4: Add tenant and, if applicable, guarantor information
At this stage, tenant information and, if applicable, guarantor details must be entered. For the tenant, identification details such as the residence permit ID number, full name, and contact information are required. If a guarantor is included, their information must also be provided. Including a guarantor can reduce the landlord’s risk while strengthening the contractual structure. Accuracy at this stage is essential for the legal validity of the agreement.
Step 5: Define the contract terms
Defining the contract terms is one of the most important steps. Rental price, payment dates, deposit amount, contract duration, and the rights and obligations of both parties must be clearly stated. Transparent and precise wording helps prevent disputes. Since the agreement requires mutual approval, the terms must be fair and acceptable to both sides. This stage forms the foundation of a sustainable landlord-tenant relationship.
Step 6: Tenant approval process
The tenant approval process is a key component of the e-Devlet rental agreement system. The draft contract is sent to the tenant for review and approval. After logging into e-Devlet, the tenant can access the agreement through system notifications. The contract must be carefully reviewed before approval. Once approved by both parties, the agreement becomes legally valid.
Step 7: Download and store the barcoded contract
After approval, the barcoded contract can be downloaded. This barcode confirms that the agreement was officially created through the state system and approved by both parties. Both the landlord and the tenant should retain a copy, either digitally or in physical form, as the document serves as legal evidence in the event of future disputes.
Contract approval: Once both parties approve the agreement through the system, the process is completed and the contract becomes legally binding.
An e-Devlet rental agreement is created after the landlord and tenant reach an agreement on all rental conditions. Before signing, all terms, including rental amount and property conditions, must be clearly defined. Compared to traditional notarized contracts, digital rental agreements involve procedural differences that require attention.
Key points include:
Over time, changes such as rent increases or contract extensions may occur. In such cases, the rental agreement can be updated through the platform by creating an additional contract.
Cancelling or terminating a rental agreement through e-Devlet is a straightforward process. Users can complete the procedure by following these steps:
Since all documents are stored digitally, transactions are completed quickly and systematically. The digital structure of e-Devlet simplifies the management, archiving, and termination of rental agreements while helping to prevent future disputes.
It is important to note that contract termination through e-Devlet does not eliminate the practical importance of a key handover protocol. Under the traditional system, written rental agreements required a separate key delivery and handover document in order to fully finalize the termination process and clarify the condition of the property at the time of exit.
Although e-Devlet allows the rental contract itself to be legally terminated online, a key handover agreement should still be prepared in practice to clearly document the return of the property and to avoid disputes regarding deposit refunds. This document remains essential for confirming the date of vacating, the condition of the premises, and whether the security deposit will be fully or partially returned.
About the author: Kagan Orhan is a human resource and immigration consultancy expert at Expat Solutions Turkey, dedicated to facilitating the adaptation processes of foreigners in Türkiye with expertise and knowledge in managing legal procedures such as residence permit applications, work permits, business establishment, real estate and citizenship processes for foreigners settling in Türkiye with their team of lawyers and consultants.
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