Questions on this topic repeat constantly on Reddit and expat forums: How do I get my German pension sent to Turkey?, Will my UK pension still come if I move abroad?, Does Turkey cut your pension if you live there? This article answers all of them – country by country, honestly.
64a. The basic principle – your pension follows you
Most national pension systems are independent of geography. Someone receiving a pension from Germany, the UK, Sweden, Norway, or the USA does not lose it by moving to Turkey. The money continues to arrive in your home country account – you simply instruct your bank to forward it to your Turkish account on a regular basis. No official permission or special procedure is required. Once you set up a standing transfer instruction, it arrives automatically every month.
64b. Country by country
German retirees (Deutsche Rentenversicherung): German pensioners living in Turkey continue to receive their pension without interruption. A social security agreement exists between Germany and Turkey. The key obligation to be aware of: Germany may request an annual certificate of life (Lebensnachweis). This must be signed before a notary or authorised authority. If it is not sent on time, the pension can be temporarily suspended.
UK retirees (UK State Pension): British retirees can continue to receive the UK State Pension after moving to Turkey. However, an important difference applies: the UK State Pension is frozen for retirees living outside the UK – meaning annual uprating increases do not apply. This rule covers Turkey. Private pension plans such as SIPPs follow different rules and are generally more flexible.
US retirees (Social Security): Over 700,000 Americans living abroad currently receive US Social Security benefits. Turkey is on the list of eligible countries and payments can be received there. In early 2025, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was repealed – A positive development for American retirees in Turkey who also receive a foreign pension, as their US Social Security benefits are no longer reduced because of it.
Scandinavians (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland): Nordic pension systems generally support living abroad without interruption to pension payments. However, tax withholding arrangements vary by country – some Nordic countries deduct tax at source on pension payments to residents living outside the EU.
64c. The practical transfer process
- Instruct your home country bank to set up a regular transfer to your Turkish account
- Have it arrive into a foreign currency account (euro or dollar) in Turkey
- Convert to TL only as much as needed for day-to-day spending
- For larger amounts, the Turkish bank may ask for documentation showing the source – keep a pension statement or payslip ready
64d. Tax obligations in turkey
As covered in detail in Article 63: a foreign pension is not taxed in Turkey as long as it is not regularly transferred into a Turkish account. Once you start transferring it regularly, it may enter the Turkish tax systems view. For anyone receiving a substantial pension and living in Turkey for more than 183 days per year, working with a Turkish tax adviser is strongly recommended.
64e. The certificate of life requirement
The most widely discussed practical problem on expat forums is this: several countries – particularly Germany and some other European nations – require retirees living abroad to submit an official form once a year confirming they are still alive. If this is not sent on time, the pension is suspended. In Turkey, the easiest way to obtain this document is at a notary office – take your passport, sign in front of the notary, then send it by post or digitally to your pension authority.
| Country | Pension Cut? | Key Note |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | No | Annual Lebensnachweis required |
| UK (State Pension) | No, but frozen | Annual increases do not apply |
| USA (Social Security) | No | WEP repealed 2025 |
| Scandinavia | No | Tax withholding may apply |
Sources: Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu (SGK) – https://www.sgk.gov.tr | T.C. Calisma ve Sosyal Guvenlik Bakanligi – https://www.ailevecalisma.gov.tr
EXPERT ADVICE: Your pension will not be cut when you move to Turkey – but bureaucratic obligations like the annual certificate of life can trip you up if you ignore them. Notify your pension authority of your new address, set up your automatic transfer, and keep your pension statements ready for the Turkish bank. Once the system is running, it is fully automatic.
P.S. Living in Alanya on a pension from your home country is entirely comfortable and practical. Transferring your pension to a Turkish bank account is straightforward no special procedures, no restrictions for legitimate income. Many thousands of European retirees do exactly this every month without any complications. The combination of a stable foreign currency income and Alanyas cost of living works very well in your favour.
