Over the decades, the required service length has varied:

• 1963: 24 months
• 1970: 20 months
• 1984: 18 months
• 1992 and 1995: 15 months
• 2003: 12 months
• 2020: 6 months

This timeline shows Turkey’s efforts to modernize its military obligations in line with global standards and its strategic requirements.

Turkey offers commendable healthcare facilities that are accessible to foreigners residing in the country. The costs of childbirth in Turkey can vary; however, many government hospitals provide childbirth services at minimal or no cost, especially if the parents are covered under the Turkish Social Security System (SSI). Private hospitals offer packages that might include prenatal care, delivery, postnatal care, and more, with costs influenced by the insurance coverage the parents have.

The share of the market accounted for by foreign buyers in Istanbul’s residential real estate has almost tripled over the past five years, from 3.43% in 2017 to 9.61% in 2022. However, these purchases still represent a small fraction of the Turkish residential market. Despite the presence of luxury and leisure indications from wealthy Russians and Iranians, most foreign purchases are moving towards middle-class participation, contrasting with middle-class Turkish buyers who follow significantly different pathways in the Istanbul housing market.

Following the imposition of sanctions, there has been a noticeable increase in property purchases by Russian and Iranian nationals in Turkey. The trend was particularly marked after significant political events such as Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the re-imposition of US sanctions on Iran in 2018. These investors are primarily motivated by the desire to secure assets outside their home countries, which are increasingly vulnerable to international isolation.

Recent months have seen rising construction costs due to the depreciation of the Turkish Lira against the US dollar, potentially leading to supply constraints. However, if demand for housing increases and interest rates are lowered to stimulate economic growth, it could alleviate the current market stagnation.

In January 2017, as Erdogan prepared for a referendum to shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system, Turkey introduced citizenship by investment (CBI) with a minimum property investment of one million dollars. This initiative included several incentives, such as reduced property transfer costs and VAT exemptions for non-resident buyers, to attract foreign capital.