Reception Conditions

The Chapter: Reception Conditions in Turkiye contains sections on:

A. Access and forms of reception conditions

1. Criteria and restrictions to access reception conditions
2. Forms and levels of material reception conditions
3. Reduction or withdrawal of reception conditions
4. Freedom of movement

B. Housing

1. Types of accommodation
2. Conditions in reception facilities

C. Employment and education

1. Access to the labour market
2. Access to education

D. Health care

E. Special reception needs of vulnerable groups

F. Information for asylum seekers and access to reception centres

1. Provision of information on reception
2. Access to reception centres by third parties

G. Differential treatment of specific nationalities in reception

Overview

As of mid-2024 end 2023, the largest groups among asylum seekers were 91,373 Afghans, 89,397 Iraqis, and 9,280 Iranians.[1] In 2024, 9,009 individuals applied for international protection in Türkiye, including 5,550 Afghans, 1,881 Iraqis, 784 Iranians, and 794 from other nationalities.[2]

In 2019, PMM issued the Cohesion Strategy and National Action Plan,[3] according to which six thematic areas are to be addressed: social cohesion, information, education, health, labour market and social support. In general, however, the Plan has not been visible or well-known. As of 2024, the strategic plan is outdated, and no new plan is currently in effect. However, preparations for a new plan are underway.[4]   Due to the challenging period for Türkiye economically and increased anti-migration discourse and xenophobia, cohesion attempts are less visible.[5] One concrete example given of the implementation of the plan was the founding of 16 migration-counselling centres[6] in 2021 and in 2023 21 centres in 16 cities were actively working. In 2024, the migration-counselling centers were suspended. As the five-year plan is due to end in 2023, UNHCR is collaborating with PMM on the drafting of its revised Strategy and National Action Plan.[7]

Municipalities play a crucial role in providing social aid to all individuals, regardless of their status or nationality[8]. To enhance the organisation and sustainability of migration-related activities, the Union of Turkish Municipalities established the Migration and Integration Centre in 2020. Many municipalities have created special units focused on migration, while others integrate this work into existing departments.[9]

For example, Adana Municipality manages various projects, services, and studies through its Migration and Migrant Affairs Department, and Migrant Coordination Integration Centre. Similarly, to address the needs of migrants in Izmir, the “Refugee Desk” was established in September 2020 under the Urban Justice and Equality Department, in collaboration with the UNHCR. Şanlıurfa Municipality has set up a dedicated Migration and Integration Services Department. Having specialised migration units in municipalities ensures designated budgets and legal obligations, including strategic planning and annual activity report follow-ups[10]. These units not only provide social aid but also disseminate information to both refugees and municipal staff. For instance, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality published an information booklet for municipality employees regarding refugees.[11] Also, in İzmir, the Women’s Services Unit of the Metropolitan Municipality, along with the Konak Municipality’s community centre, collaborates with NGOs active in the migration field[12]. Main challenges faced by municipalities is lack of capacity, such as lack of translators[13], lack of funding and public attitudes resisting the rights-based approach.[14]

In 2020, the “Mayors’ Migration Platform and Migration Policy Document”[15] was developed through a participatory process involving mayors, roundtable meetings, and technical studies. This document offers policy recommendations to address the main challenges faced by municipalities, such as financial and legal issues. It emphasises the need to clarify municipal authority and responsibility, enhance social harmony, and strengthen institutional capacities and coordination with other relevant bodies, with support from the central administration. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has prepared a strategy plan that was developed through a participatory process in order to produce an effective and permanent policy in migration governance. A people-oriented strategy with the perspective of leaving no one behind has been prepared to be implemented in 2020-2024. In the scope of the strategy, 4 main objectives have been determined: coordination, capacity building, research and data collection, social cohesion.[16] However, due to the politisation of the subject and increased anti-migrant sentiments and the lack of sufficient funding, the visibility of the activities and services provided by municipalities decreased in 2024.  For example, when NGOs requested to distribute earthquake-related aid in İzmir, officials from the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality reportedly questioned the inclusion of asylum seekers, stating that priority should be given to Turkish earthquake survivors. However, NGO staff were eventually able to persuade the officials, and the aid was distributed directly by the NGOs rather than by the Municipality. Also, a stakeholder mentioned that while some municipalities previously provided space for refugee counselling without any appointment system, in 2024 they began scheduling individual sessions in advance to avoid having multiple foreigners visibly waiting together, which might attract the attention of local residents.[17]

The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Institute (ISMEK) offered training in pastry making, textiles, and barista skills. In June, ISMEK completed two barista training courses for refugees and locals, including 15 refugees. UNHCR provided consumables and equipment for these courses and will support the graduates’ employment by leveraging their newly acquired skills. ISMEK’s pastry and textile machinery operator courses also continue in 2024.[18]

UNHCR also provided core relief items to enhance the capacity of national and local authorities to address needs. In 2024, UNHCR provided over 19,000 winterisation items, including radiators, blankets, hygiene parcels, kitchen sets, and foam mattresses to container sites, informal sites, municipalities, and state-run centres in affected provinces.[19]

A training programme named Social Cohesion and Life Training (SUYE) has been launched by PMM and the project was completed in March 2023. The course lasts eight hours and covers topics such as the social structure of Türkiye, its rights and obligations, and its traditions and customs. It targets migrants and refugees between the ages of 18 and 65. The instruction is provided at public education facilities (halk egitim merkezi)[20] in 16 cities that are closely supervised by Turk Kizilay, SGDD-ASAM, and the UNHCR. As of 9 September 2022, according to PPM, 444,488 women and 503,000 men had participated in this training, and more than 1 million people had been trained overall. Interpretation services in Arabic and Persian [21] are available if necessary.  Registration for the training is available in 7 languages ​​and participants are given a certificate of participation at the end of the training.[22] Over the second half of 2022, over 39,000 refugees and host community members participated in such events, although this was significantly less than the over 125,000 recorded in the first half of the year.[23] According to a stakeholder, in 2024, individuals received phone calls from PDMM officials who emphasized that it was crucial for them to attend these courses.[24]

[1] UNHCR Türkiye Factsheet September 2024, available here.

[2] PMM, Statistics 2023, available here.

[3] See PMM, Uyum Strateji Belgesi ve Ulusal Eylem Planı 2018-2023, available in Turkish here.

[4] TİHEK, Uyum Strateji Belgesi ve Ulusal Eylem Planı Güncelleme Çalıştayına Katılım Sağlandı, 16.06.2023, available here

[5] Information provided by stakeholders, March – April 2024.

[6] PMM website, ‘A Preparatory Training Program for Migration Counseling Centres Staff Was Held’, 29 June 2021. Available in Turkish here.

[7] UNHCR, Türkiye Factsheet, September 2023, available here.

[8] Erdogan, Şener, and Ağca, Marmara’nın Kent Mültecileri: Belediyelerin Süreç Yönetimi, 2021, available here

[9] Belediyeler Kasım-Aralık 2021, Yerel Yönetimlerin Göç Politikaları, available here & Information provided by stakeholders, March – April 2024.

[10] Information provided by stakeholders, March 2024.

[11] Izmir Belediyesi, Belediye Çalışanları için Mültecilere Yönelik Bilgilendirme Kitapçığı, available here.

[12] Information provided by a stakeholder, April 2025.

[13]         TESEV, Erginli & Akdoğan, Belediyelerde Göç Veri Yönetimi ve Veriye Dayalı Karar Alma Politika Raporu, 2024, available here.

[14]         Information provided by stakeholders, March 2024.

[15]         Belediyeler Kasım-Aralık 2021, Yerel Yönetimlerin Göç Politikaları, available here.

[16]         UNHCR, Migration and Social Cohesion Action Plan (2020-2024) | The Global Compact on Refugees, available here.

[17]         Information provided by multiple stakeholders, April and May 2025

[18]         Information provided by a stakeholder May 2025

[19]         UN Türkiye, Two Years After the 2023 Earthquakes: The UN’s Continued Commitment, 06.02.2025, available here

[20]         Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Genel Müdürlüğü 2023 Yili Birim Faaliyet Raporu, available here.

[21]         AA, ‘Göç İdaresi Başkanlığından Türkiye’deki yerleşik yabancılara sosyal uyum eğitimi’, 19 September 2022, available here.

[22]         PMM, Halk Eğitimi Kursları İle Sosyal Uyum Ve Yaşam Eğitimine Erişim, here.

[23]         EU Facility for Refugees in Türkiye, The Facility Results Framework Monitoring Report No. 11, June 2023, available here.

[24]         Information provided by a stakeholder May 2025.

[25]         Information provided by stakeholders, March – April 2024.

[26]         HBS Thessaloniki, Media & Migration Association, Media Representation of Refugees and Migants in Turkey, June 2023, available here.

[27]         İlketv, Metroda toka satan çocuğu döven kişi gözaltına alındı, 29.08.2024, available here.

[28]         TIHV & IHD, Verilerle 2024 Yılında Türkiye’de İnsan Hakları İhlalleri, 10.12.2024, available here.

[29]         İlkha, Suriyeli çocuğu darp eden şahıslar tutuklandı, 01.12.2024, available here

[30]         Bianet, Serik’te Suriyeli mülteci çocuk işçiyi öldürdükleri iddiasıyla üç çocuk tutuklandı, 03.07.2024, available here.

[31]         Euronews, Karabük’te ölü bulunan Gabonlu Dina davasındaki tek sanık beraat etti, 17.12.2024, available here

[32]         Information provided by a stakeholder, March 2024.

[33]         EC, Seventh Annual Report of the Facility for Refugees in Turkey, COM(2023) 543 final, 22.9.2023, Brussels.

[34]         UNHCR and MÜGAM, Syrians Barometer “A framework for achieving social cohesion with Syrians in Türkiye” August 2024, available here.

[35]         Euronews, ‘Türkiye’de Suriyeli sığınmacılar endişeli’, 19 May 2023, available in Turkish here.

[36]         VOA, ‘Suriyeli Karşıtı Propagandanın Nedeni Ekonomik mi?’, 2022, available here. & Information provided by stakeholders, March – April 2024.

[37]         Information provided by stakeholder, March – April 2024.

[38]         Mengücek and Kurt, 10 July 2023, The politicization of refugees in Turkey’s elections is not yet over with local elections on the way, available here.

[39]         Balta, Elçi & Sert, 2023 Seçimleri ve Türkiye’deki Göç Tartişmaları, Heinrich Böll Foundation, available here.

[40]         Nefret Döngüsü Günden İzleme Serisi, Seçim Özel, 2023, available here.

[41]         Mengücek and Kurt, 10 July 2023, The politicization of refugees in Turkey’s elections is not yet over with local elections on the way & Balta, Elçi & Sert, 2023 Seçimleri ve Türkiye’deki Göç Tartişmaları, Heinrich Böll Foundation, available here.

[42]         Information provided by stakeholder, March – April 2024.

[43]         İnsan Hakları Derneği (Human Rights Association) İnsan Hakları Eylem Planı Çerçevesinde Mülteci Hakları Raporu, April 2024, available here

[44]         AA, TİHEK, Bursa’da sadece Arapça tabelalara yasak getirilmesini “ayrımcılık” saydı, 15.04.2025, available here

[45]         UMHD, 28 Şubat Sarayköy Belediyesi Meclis Kararları, available here

[46]         NTV, ‘Bolu Belediyesi’nin sığınmacılarla ilgili afişine soruşturma’, 19 May 2022, available in Turkish here.

[47]         Duvar, Tanju Özcan, mülteci derneğinin Türkçe tabelasını söktü, 11.11.2023, available here.

[48]         PMM, ‘Tabela Denetimlerine İlişkin Basın Duyurusu’, 18 June 2022, available in Turkish here.

[49]         Euronews, ‘Ankara’da restoranını polis basan Somalili aile: Suçumuz varsa kapatırız’, 12 July 2023, available in Turkish here.

[50]         Duvar, ‘TİHEK’in ‘Somalili Abdullah’ kararına 5 üye şerh düştü: Kolluk ‘ayrımcılık yasağını’ ihlal etti’, 26 September 2022, available in Turkish here.

[51]         Özgür Kocaeli, ‘Kütük: “Arabic signage will no longer be used”’, 7 February 2022, available in Turkish, here.

[52]         Serbestiyet, CHP’li Afyon Belediye Başkanı Burcu Köksal sığınmacılara ait iş yerlerini kapattı: “Mültecilerin şehrimizden ayrılmaları için ne gerekiyorsa yapacağım”, 20.04.2024, available here.

[53]         Yeniçağ, Afgan’a Suriyeliye işyeri açma ruhsatı vermeyeceğim. Atmazsam şerefsizim. Herkes Uşak’ın yeni CHP’li başkanını konuşuyor, 03.04.2024, available here.

[54]         BBC Türkçe, Bolu Belediye Başkanı Tanju Özcan hakkında soruşturma başlatıldı, 05.01.2025, available here.