Across the year, TOKİ (Mass Housing Administration) projects in many regions offer affordable housing opportunities specifically for retired citizens. Turkish citizens who receive a regular retirement pension and have acquired the right to retire can become homeowners through TOKİ provided they do not own any registered real estate or property. In addition to opportunities for people with disabilities, relatives of martyrs and widows, retirees are also eligible for these discounted housing programs. This article explains all details of the TOKİ affordable housing campaigns for retirees.
What Are the Details of TOKİ’s Affordable Housing Campaign for Retirees?
TOKİ develops projects that grant socially prioritized groups access to home ownership. Turkish citizens who reside in Turkey and receive a retirement pension through the Social Security Institution (SGK) can apply to TOKİ projects to purchase a home. Retirees who have never owned a residence and do not have any registered real estate can buy a TOKİ home at reduced prices. TOKİ sets discounted prices for retirees, people with disabilities and relatives of martyrs. To facilitate home ownership, TOKİ reserves special quotas that increase retirees’ chances of obtaining a dwelling.
What Should Retirees Do to Become Homeowners Through TOKİ?
Steps retirees should follow to apply for TOKİ projects include:
- TOKİ allocates an additional quota of 25% specifically to include retirees in its projects. A quarter of the available units are reserved for retirees who want affordable homes, and they receive certain rights during the lottery phase.
- After retirees submit their application, their names are added to the lottery list.
- Applicants should log into the TOKİ page via the e-Government (e-Devlet) portal and complete the preliminary application for the chosen TOKİ project.
- When applying, applicants must select the province and district of the project where they wish to apply.
- Once the TOKİ application is submitted and identity information is verified, applicants indicate which type and features of dwelling they request.
- Application fees vary depending on the characteristics of the TOKİ units. Applicants are included in the TOKİ lottery after they pay the specified application fee.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Retiree Applications to TOKİ?
To benefit from TOKİ’s affordable housing campaigns for retirees, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Turkey.
- Retirees must have resided in the province or district where the TOKİ project will be built for at least the past year.
- Applicants must not have previously purchased a dwelling from TOKİ or benefited from loans provided by TOKİ.
- Applicants must not have any registered property—such as a residence, condominium, shop, field, land, or vehicle—registered in their name, their spouse’s name, or their children’s names.
- The household’s monthly income must be below the specified threshold. The total net monthly household income must not exceed 3,200 TRY. Applicants with incomes above this limit cannot apply. For residents within Istanbul, the maximum net monthly household income limit is 3,700 TRY.
- Applicants must receive a retirement pension through the Social Security Institution. Persons receiving pensions from other sources or from abroad are not eligible.
- If a retiree has passed away, only the surviving spouse who was married to the deceased retiree may apply based on that entitlement; children or other relatives cannot apply on behalf of the deceased retiree.
- If both spouses are retired, only one spouse may submit a TOKİ application; both spouses cannot apply simultaneously.
Which Documents Are Required for a TOKİ Retiree Application?
Required documents for retirees applying to TOKİ affordable housing campaigns include:
- Copy of the applicant’s identity card.
- Current residence certificate (ikametgâh) showing the address.
- Retirement certificate issued by the Social Security Institution (or a proof document if the official retirement certificate is not yet available).
- Official document showing the household’s income.
- Completed TOKİ application form.
If the retirement certificate is not yet issued, applicants should provide a proof document issued by the Social Security Institution.
Which Documents Are Requested at the TOKİ Contract Signing Stage?
Those who are awarded a TOKİ unit through the lottery must submit the following documents to finalize the contract:
- A certified family register (vukuatlı nüfus kayıt örneği) issued by the provincial or district population directorates.
- Residence document demonstrating at least one year of residence within the province according to the address based population registration system.
- Property status document showing that the applicant, spouse or children do not own any residence, building, shop, land, or vehicle registered in their name.
- Copy of the applicant’s identity card.
- Official income documents proving that the household’s net monthly income is below 3,200 TRY.
- Documents from the Social Security Institution showing the retirement pension.
- Bank account statements or transaction records from the bank where the retirement pension is deposited.
- If the applicant and spouse are both employed, income documents for both individuals.
TOKİ may request additional documents as part of the contract signing process.
What Are the Occupancy Rules and Transfer Conditions for TOKİ Homes?
Rules and required actions for living in or transferring a TOKİ home are:
- Recipients who obtain a home under the retiree category cannot transfer the property to another person until their debt to TOKİ is fully paid.
- Until the debt on the acquired unit is cleared, the dwelling must be occupied by the owner, their spouse, children or parents. Selling or renting the unit before the debt is paid is not permitted.
- If occupants fail to comply with the residence requirement while the debt is outstanding, the TOKİ contract may be terminated.
- If false statements are made during the TOKİ lottery or application process, the beneficiary’s contract will be voided.
How to Apply for a TOKİ Retiree Home?
Detailed steps for retirees who want to join TOKİ projects are listed below:
- Applications to TOKİ units must be made through the e-Government (e-Devlet) system.
- Open the TOKİ application page on e-Government to start the application process.
- Click the “Sign In” button on the main page to access the login screen for identity verification.
- The login screen requires your Turkish ID number (T.C. kimlik numarası) and your e-Government password.
- After successful login, the TOKİ application page will open.
- On the application page, provide the requested address, project information and the features of the unit you wish to apply for.
- After specifying unit preferences, proceed with payment of the TOKİ application fee.
- Application fee payments can be made quickly and securely via the e-Government payment page.
TOKİ Application Page
After submitting a TOKİ retiree application and once the TOKİ lottery is held, applicants can check the application status through the same e-Government system. For TOKİ result inquiries, the applicant’s T.C. identity number and the lottery registration number are sufficient. When the lotteries conclude, it is confirmed whether applicants have been granted the right to purchase a unit. Successful applicants deliver their documents to the TOKİ directorate and then receive their homes. Applicants who are not successful will be refunded the application fee they paid during the application process.