on September 1, 2026

What Protection Measures Can a Foreigner Residing in Türkiye Request If They Experience Domestic Violence?

A foreign national who experiences domestic violence in Türkiye can request immediate legal protection under Turkish law.

The victim does not have to be a Turkish citizen.

The victim does not necessarily have to wait until:

serious physical injury occurs;
a criminal case is opened;
divorce proceedings begin;
medical evidence is obtained;
or the abusive spouse is arrested.

Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women establishes a rapid protection system for:

women exposed to violence;
children;
family members;
persons at risk of violence;
and victims of unilateral persistent stalking.

The Ministry of Family and Social Services states that protective measures may be requested for women, children, family members and stalking victims who have experienced violence or face the danger of violence. Protective measures can be ordered without requiring the victim to first produce evidence or documentary proof of the violence.

This protection is particularly important for foreigners because domestic violence can be accompanied by immigration-related threats.

An abusive spouse may tell the foreign victim:

“If you call the police, you will be deported.”

or:

“Your residence permit depends on me, so you cannot leave.”

or:

“If you divorce me, you will lose your right to stay in Türkiye.”

These statements can be misleading and are frequently used as a method of control.

Turkish law separates two different questions:

Is the victim entitled to protection from violence?

and

What is the victim’s immigration status?

A foreigner’s nationality or immigration dependency on the abusive spouse does not prevent the person from requesting protection against violence.

Official Ministry guidance expressly confirms that foreign women who are victims of domestic violence or violence against women may benefit from women’s shelters without discrimination based on nationality or status.

Therefore, a foreign victim should never assume that an expired residence card, dependency on a Turkish spouse or lack of Turkish citizenship means that the authorities cannot protect them.

Short Answer

A foreigner experiencing domestic violence in Türkiye may potentially request measures including:

immediate removal of the abusive person from the shared home;
allocation of the shared residence to the victim;
an order prohibiting the perpetrator from approaching the victim;
an order prohibiting approach to the victim’s home, workplace or school;
a prohibition on telephone calls, messages, social media contact and other harassment;
restriction, supervision or suspension of contact with children;
prohibition on approaching the victim’s relatives or witnesses;
surrender of firearms;
police protection where there is a serious risk to life;
safe accommodation for the victim and children;
temporary financial assistance;
temporary maintenance;
psychological, social and legal counselling;
childcare support in qualifying cases;
confidentiality of the victim’s address and identity information;
change of workplace;
determination of a separate residence;
and, in extreme life-threatening situations, special identity-protection measures.

Measures can be ordered by different authorities depending on the nature and urgency of the risk.

Family Court judges, governors/district governors and, in urgent situations, law-enforcement commanders can issue measures within their statutory powers.

Does Law No. 6284 Protect Foreign Nationals?

Yes.

Law No. 6284 defines protected categories according to exposure or risk of violence rather than requiring Turkish citizenship.

The law covers people who:

have experienced violence;
are in danger of experiencing violence;
are family members;
are children;
or are victims of unilateral persistent stalking.

Official government guidance also expressly states that foreign women can use women’s shelter services regardless of nationality or legal status when they are victims of domestic violence or violence against women in Türkiye.

This can include, depending on the individual case:

a foreign wife married to a Turkish citizen;
a foreign husband experiencing family violence;
a foreign woman married to another foreigner;
a foreign child;
a refugee or international protection applicant;
a residence permit holder;
a student;
a foreign worker;
or another foreign resident.

The legal protection against violence should therefore not be confused with nationality.

What Is Considered Domestic Violence in Türkiye?

Domestic violence is not limited to punching or physical assault.

The Ministry defines violence broadly to include conduct that causes or is likely to cause physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering, including threats, pressure and arbitrary restriction of liberty.

Therefore, domestic violence may include:

Physical Violence

Examples include:

hitting;
pushing;
kicking;
strangulation;
burning;
throwing objects;
locking someone in a room;
threatening with a weapon;
preventing access to medical treatment.

Psychological Violence

Examples may include:

constant humiliation;
threats;
intimidation;
threats to take away the children;
threats of deportation;
threatening suicide to control the spouse;
isolation from friends and family;
repeated insults;
monitoring all communications.

Economic Violence

Examples may include:

taking the victim’s salary;
preventing the foreign spouse from working;
withholding all household money;
refusing food or essential expenses;
taking the victim’s bank cards;
preventing access to personal money;
using immigration dependency as economic control.

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence may occur inside marriage.

Marriage does not create an unrestricted right to sexual conduct without consent.

Digital and Communication-Based Violence

Violence may also include:

hundreds of unwanted calls;
threatening WhatsApp messages;
tracking;
repeated social media harassment;
publishing private material;
location monitoring;
or persistent stalking.

The Turkish protection system therefore does not require the victim to wait for a serious physical assault before seeking protection.

Does the Foreign Victim Need a Medical Report?

No, not for obtaining protective measures under Law No. 6284.

This is a critically important rule.

Official Ministry guidance states that protective measures under Law No. 6284 can be ordered without requiring evidence or documents proving that violence occurred.

A medical assault report is therefore not a prerequisite for requesting protection or accessing shelter services.

This rule exists because forcing a victim to first collect detailed evidence could expose that person to additional danger.

However, this does not mean evidence is useless.

Where safely obtainable, evidence can still be extremely important for:

criminal proceedings;
divorce;
custody;
compensation;
extension of protection measures;
immigration applications;
and demonstrating repeated violations.

Useful evidence can include:

medical reports;
police reports;
photographs;
threatening messages;
audio or video material obtained lawfully;
witness statements;
emergency-call records;
previous protection orders;
criminal investigation records;
and court decisions.

But immediate physical protection should not be postponed merely because those documents have not yet been collected.

Where Can a Foreign Victim Apply?

A person exposed to domestic violence can approach several authorities.

Official Ministry guidance identifies application routes including:

governorate or district governorate;
police station;
gendarmerie station;
Public Prosecutor’s Office;
Family Court.

The person may also obtain support through:

ŞÖNİM — Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centres;
provincial units of the Ministry of Family and Social Services;
women’s shelters;
bar associations and legal aid services;
social-service institutions.

In an immediate emergency, police or gendarmerie intervention should be requested without waiting for a lawyer or court appointment.

Can Someone Else Report the Violence?

Yes.

A domestic violence report does not necessarily have to come from the victim.

Official Ministry guidance states that where violence or a risk of violence exists, any person may notify the competent authorities.

This can include:

neighbour;
teacher;
doctor;
relative;
friend;
child;
or another witness.

Public officials receiving such information are required to act without delay within the statutory framework.

This is particularly important where the foreign victim:

does not speak Turkish;
has no access to a telephone;
is being watched by the perpetrator;
or is afraid to contact authorities personally.

Can the Abusive Spouse Be Removed from the Home?

Yes.

This is one of the most important measures under Law No. 6284.

A Family Court judge can order the perpetrator:

to leave the shared residence immediately;
and allow the residence to remain allocated to the protected person.

Urgent law-enforcement measures can also include removal from the shared home within the limits of the police commander’s statutory authority.

This is important because victims sometimes believe:

“The house belongs to my Turkish husband, so the police cannot remove him.”

Ownership of the property does not necessarily prevent a protective removal measure.

The purpose of the measure is immediate safety.

A spouse who owns the apartment can still potentially be ordered to leave temporarily while the protected victim remains there.

Can the Foreign Victim Stay in the Family Home?

Potentially, yes.

The court can order the abusive spouse removed and allocate the shared residence to the victim.

This can protect:

foreign spouse;
children;
and other protected family members.

The existence of title ownership in the perpetrator’s name does not automatically defeat the protection request.

The domestic violence order is not the same thing as a final determination of property ownership.

It is a protective measure designed to reduce immediate danger.

Can the Abusive Person Be Ordered Not to Approach the Victim?

Yes.

A Family Court judge may prohibit the perpetrator from approaching:

the protected person;
the victim’s residence;
workplace;
school;
and other protected locations.

Depending on the risk, the order may also protect:

relatives;
witnesses;
children.

This can be particularly important where the parties have already separated but the perpetrator repeatedly waits:

outside the apartment;
at the workplace;
outside university;
at the child’s school;
or near the victim’s new residence.

Can Telephone Calls and Messages Be Prohibited?

Yes.

The judge may order the perpetrator not to disturb or contact the protected person through:

telephone;
messages;
electronic communication;
social media;
or other means.

Therefore, a protection order may cover conduct such as:

repeated WhatsApp messages;
threatening Instagram messages;
hundreds of missed calls;
anonymous accounts;
or other communication intended to pressure or intimidate the victim.

The exact wording of the requested measure should reflect the actual risk.

Can the Perpetrator Be Prevented from Approaching the Children?

Yes.

The judge may take measures concerning contact with children.

If a previous personal-contact arrangement exists, the judge may order that contact:

take place with a supervisor;
be restricted;
or be completely suspended.

The judge can also prevent the perpetrator from approaching children and other protected persons where necessary.

This is especially important when violence affects the child’s:

physical safety;
emotional health;
or psychological development.

A parent should not assume that an existing contact order can never be changed simply because it was issued earlier.

New violence can require new protective arrangements.

Can a Protection Order Affect Custody?

Law No. 6284 protection proceedings and permanent custody proceedings are legally separate.

However, evidence of:

serious violence;
threats;
stalking;
abuse;
breaches of protection orders;
and violence witnessed by children

can become highly relevant in later divorce and custody litigation.

A Family Court dealing with permanent custody focuses on the child’s welfare.

Therefore, repeated domestic violence can have consequences far beyond the temporary protection order.

Can the Court Order the Perpetrator to Surrender Weapons?

Yes.

A judge may order the person responsible for violence to surrender weapons that the person is legally authorised to possess or carry.

Even where the perpetrator carries a weapon because of public employment, the weapon assigned for that duty may be required to be surrendered to the relevant institution.

This measure can be extremely important where:

the perpetrator is a police officer;
security employee;
military employee;
licensed firearm owner;
or another armed person.

A foreign victim should explicitly tell the authorities if the perpetrator has access to firearms.

What If Alcohol or Drug Use Makes the Violence Worse?

The court may prohibit the perpetrator from:

using alcohol or narcotic/stimulant substances in places where the protected person is present;
approaching protected persons while under the influence;
and may require medical examination or treatment where addiction exists.

Hospitalisation can be included where legally necessary.

A court can also order examination or treatment at a healthcare institution.

Can the Victim Receive Police Protection?

Yes.

Where there is a serious threat to life, temporary protection can be ordered.

A governor or district governor can order temporary protection either:

at the victim’s request;
or ex officio where life-threatening danger exists.

In urgent situations, authorised law-enforcement commanders also have limited power to impose immediate protection measures.

This can be particularly important in cases involving:

death threats;
weapons;
repeated breaches;
stalking;
attempted killing;
serious physical violence;
or organised tracking of the victim.

Can the Victim Be Placed in a Safe Shelter?

Yes.

Appropriate accommodation can be provided to the victim and, where necessary, accompanying children.

This is one of the protective measures that may be ordered by the governor or district governor.

Women experiencing violence may also access women’s shelter services.

For foreign women, the rule is especially clear:

foreign women may benefit from women’s shelters without discrimination based on nationality or status when they are victims of domestic violence or violence against women in Türkiye.

The Ministry also states that women seeking admission can apply through:

Provincial Directorate;
ŞÖNİM;
appropriate public-service referral units;
or law enforcement.

No document is required as a condition of shelter admission through the referral process, and authorities assist women who do not possess official identity documentation.

This is extremely important for foreign victims whose:

passport was taken by the spouse;
residence card was destroyed;
ID documents are being withheld;
or immigration papers are inaccessible.

What Is ŞÖNİM?

ŞÖNİM means:

Şiddet Önleme ve İzleme Merkezi — Violence Prevention and Monitoring Centre.

These centres coordinate services concerning violence prevention and protection.

Services for victims can include:

accommodation support;
temporary financial assistance;
counselling;
monitoring of temporary protection;
childcare support;
legal assistance;
medical support;
employment support;
and education-related support.

ŞÖNİM services are particularly valuable where the victim does not know:

which court to approach;
where to stay;
how to obtain legal support;
or how to protect children.

Official guidance states that these centres operate on a 24/7 basis for violence prevention and monitoring services.

Can the Victim Receive Temporary Financial Assistance?

Yes.

A governor or district governor may order temporary financial assistance for the protected person within the statutory framework.

This is important where the perpetrator controls all financial resources.

For example, the foreign spouse may have:

no bank account;
no income;
no access to family funds;
no work permit;
and children to support.

Economic dependency should not be treated as a reason why the person must continue living with the perpetrator.

Can the Court Order Temporary Maintenance?

Yes.

If the perpetrator is also the person providing or contributing to family support, the judge can order temporary maintenance (tedbir nafakası) based on the victim’s standard of living.

Importantly, official Ministry guidance states that the judge can award this maintenance even if it has not specifically been requested.

Therefore, removal of the perpetrator from the home does not automatically mean the victim must survive without financial support.

Can Childcare Support Be Provided?

Potentially.

The governor or district governor may provide childcare assistance where necessary to help the protected victim participate in working life.

Official Ministry guidance expressly identifies childcare support among the available protective measures.

This can be particularly useful for foreign victims who need to:

begin working;
attend court;
participate in training;
or establish an independent life after separation.

Can the Victim’s Workplace Be Changed?

Yes.

A Family Court judge can order the protected person’s workplace to be changed where appropriate.

This can be relevant where the perpetrator:

knows the victim’s workplace;
repeatedly waits there;
follows the victim;
or threatens colleagues.

The measure can therefore form part of a wider safety plan.

Can the Victim Establish a Separate Residence?

Yes.

Where the protected person is married, a judge can determine a separate place of residence apart from the common matrimonial residence.

This can be particularly important for foreign spouses who are afraid that leaving the family home will be interpreted as:

abandonment;
loss of marital rights;
or wrongdoing in a later divorce.

Leaving a violent environment for protection should not be confused with voluntarily abandoning family rights without cause.

The circumstances should be documented.

Can a Family Residence Annotation Be Placed on the Property?

Where the statutory conditions exist, a judge may order an aile konutu şerhi — family home annotation in the land registry upon the protected person’s request.

This can help prevent unilateral transactions concerning the family home in qualifying situations.

The measure is separate from an ownership dispute.

Can the Victim’s Address Be Kept Secret?

Yes.

Confidentiality can be extremely important in serious stalking and violence cases.

Official Ministry guidance states that where necessary, the protected person’s:

identity information;
address;
information revealing identity;
and other information important to the effectiveness of protection

can be kept confidential in official records.

The same protection may extend to relevant family members.

A victim who has moved to a secret location should specifically discuss address confidentiality with the authorities.

Can Identity Information Be Changed in Extremely Dangerous Cases?

Potentially.

Where the protected person faces a life-threatening danger and ordinary protective measures are inadequate, a Family Court judge may, with the informed consent of the protected person, order changes or confidentiality measures concerning identity and related information under the applicable witness-protection framework.

This is an exceptional measure.

It is not used in every domestic argument.

It is designed for severe cases involving substantial continuing danger.

Does the Victim Have to File for Divorce to Obtain Protection?

No.

A protection order under Law No. 6284 does not require the victim to first file for divorce.

The parties may be:

still married;
separated;
legally entitled to live separately;
already divorced;
or in another qualifying family relationship.

Official guidance expressly states that protection is available to family members who are legally separated or who are actually living separately even though still married.

Therefore, a foreign spouse can seek immediate protection first and decide later whether to begin divorce proceedings.

Is a Criminal Complaint Required Before a Protection Order?

No.

Protection proceedings and criminal proceedings are legally distinct.

The victim can request a protective order without waiting for:

criminal indictment;
prosecution;
conviction;
or forensic report.

At the same time, violent conduct may separately constitute criminal offences.

Depending on what happened, criminal investigation can involve allegations such as:

intentional injury;
threat;
insult;
sexual offences;
deprivation of liberty;
stalking;
or other offences.

A victim can therefore potentially pursue:

Protection Track: Law No. 6284 measures.

and

Criminal Track: complaint and criminal investigation.

These processes can proceed at the same time.

Can the Foreign Victim Obtain Protection Without Evidence?

Protective measures can be issued without requiring the victim to prove the violence through documents.

Official guidance specifically confirms that no evidence or documentation is required for protective measures. Preventive decisions should also be issued without delay in a way that does not undermine the protective purpose of the law.

This rapid system exists because domestic violence cases may involve urgent risk.

The victim should nevertheless tell the authorities as specifically as possible:

what happened;
when;
whether there were previous incidents;
whether weapons exist;
whether children witnessed the violence;
whether death threats were made;
whether the perpetrator has violated earlier orders.

How Long Can a Protection Order Last?

A protective or preventive measure under Law No. 6284 can initially be issued for up to six months.

However, this is not an absolute final limit.

Where violence or the danger of violence continues, the authority may:

extend the measure;
change its form;
continue it;
or remove it,

either on its own initiative or upon an appropriate request.

Official Ministry guidance confirms that the first order can last up to six months and may be continued or modified if the risk persists.

Therefore, a victim should not assume:

“The six months ended, so I can never receive another protection order.”

The continuing risk is what matters.

What Happens If the Perpetrator Violates the Protection Order?

Violation has serious consequences.

Under Law No. 6284, a person who violates a protection measure may be subjected to coercive imprisonment (zorlama hapsi).

Official Ministry guidance states:

first violation: 3 to 10 days;
repeated violations: 15 to 30 days for each recurrence depending on the circumstances;
total coercive imprisonment cannot exceed six months.

This coercive imprisonment is related to violation of the protective order.

If the perpetrator’s conduct also constitutes a separate criminal offence, criminal liability can arise independently.

For example, violating a no-contact order by physically assaulting the victim can potentially create:

coercive imprisonment for violating the measure;
and a separate criminal investigation for the assault.

What Should the Victim Do If the Order Is Violated?

The violation should be reported immediately.

The victim should preserve evidence such as:

call records;
screenshots;
messages;
CCTV;
witness details;
photographs;
police reports.

The victim should clearly tell law enforcement:

“There is an active Law No. 6284 protection order and it has been violated.”

Repeated violations can demonstrate increasing risk and may justify:

stronger measures;
extension;
electronic monitoring where available;
or additional police protection.

Can Electronic Monitoring Be Used?

Yes, in qualifying cases.

Technical monitoring systems, including electronic monitoring arrangements, are used for certain high-risk domestic violence cases.

Current Ministry guidance states that electronic monitoring is implemented in specified provinces and can be ordered at the Family Court judge’s discretion. The system allows simultaneous monitoring of the perpetrator and protected person through electronic devices.

Because the availability and implementation model is operationally specific, the victim should ask:

Family Court;
ŞÖNİM;
or law enforcement

whether technical monitoring is available and appropriate in the relevant province.

Can a Foreigner Use a Women’s Shelter Without a Turkish ID?

Foreign women can access women’s shelter services irrespective of nationality or status when they are victims of domestic violence or violence against women.

Official Ministry guidance also states that no document is required from women as a condition of shelter admission through the proper referral process, and the authorities support women who lack official identity documents in obtaining documentation.

This is particularly important where an abusive spouse has:

hidden the passport;
taken the residence card;
destroyed documents;
or refused to return identity papers.

Can Police Help Retrieve the Victim’s Passport and Personal Property?

Yes, protection mechanisms can include assistance with personal belongings and documents.

Official Ministry guidance states that, upon request, personal belongings and documents can be delivered to the relevant person through law enforcement.

This can include situations where the foreign victim needs:

passport;
residence card;
children’s documents;
medication;
clothing;
bank cards;
or other personal possessions

from the shared home but fears returning alone.

The victim should not put themselves at risk by attempting to retrieve belongings without protection.

What Happens to the Foreign Victim’s Residence Permit?

This depends on the type of immigration status.

The fact that a foreigner is a victim of domestic violence does not mean protection under Law No. 6284 disappears because the person’s residence status is complicated.

But immigration consequences must be analysed separately.

This is especially important for a foreign spouse who holds a family residence permit based on marriage to a Turkish citizen.

Under Law No. 6458, a divorced foreign spouse normally needs at least three years of family residence in Türkiye to use the special post-divorce short-term residence route.

However, there is a specific domestic violence exception.

If the relevant court establishes that the foreign spouse was a victim of domestic violence, the ordinary three-year residence condition is not required.

This is one of the most important immigration protections for abused foreign spouses.

Example: Foreign Wife Married for Only One Year

A foreign woman marries a Turkish citizen.

She obtains a family residence permit.

Ten months later, serious violence begins.

The husband tells her:

“If you divorce me, your residence permit will end and you will be deported.”

She obtains a court decision establishing domestic violence and later divorces.

Normally, the special post-divorce transition route would require three years of family residence.

But because domestic violence has been established by the relevant court, the three-year condition is not sought.

Therefore, immigration dependency should not force a foreign spouse to remain in a violent marriage merely to complete three years.

Does Every Protection Order Automatically Prove the Immigration Domestic Violence Exception?

This should not be assumed without examining the individual immigration file.

The residence-law provision refers to domestic violence being established by the relevant court.

Accordingly, where immigration status may depend on the domestic violence exception, legal strategy should ensure that:

relevant judicial decisions;
protection orders;
factual findings;
criminal documents;
and other evidence

are carefully preserved.

The immigration application should expressly explain how the statutory exception is satisfied.

Can a Foreign Victim Be Forced to Remain Married to Protect Immigration Status?

No legal strategy should be built on that assumption.

A foreign spouse experiencing violence may have:

immediate Law No. 6284 protection rights;
access to shelter;
financial assistance;
police protection;
legal support;
and a potential post-divorce immigration exception.

The foreigner should therefore analyse both:

safety rights

and

immigration rights

instead of remaining in danger because of misinformation about residence status.

What If the Abusive Spouse Threatens to Cancel the Residence Permit?

The Turkish spouse cannot personally issue or cancel a residence permit.

Residence decisions belong to Migration Management.

The abusive spouse can obviously affect the factual basis of a family residence permit if the marriage ends.

But this does not mean that the spouse personally controls the immigration authority.

Furthermore, domestic violence can itself create an important post-divorce immigration exception.

A threat such as:

“I control your residence permit, so you must do what I say”

should therefore not be accepted as an accurate statement of Turkish immigration law.

What If the Foreign Victim Has a Work Permit?

A valid work permit can provide an independent legal basis to reside and work in Türkiye during its validity period.

This may significantly reduce immigration dependency on the abusive spouse.

The victim should therefore identify whether they hold:

family residence only;
work permit;
student residence;
another short-term permit;
or another immigration status.

Not every foreign spouse depends exclusively on the marriage for lawful residence.

Can Protection Be Requested Against a Former Spouse?

Yes, depending on the circumstances.

Law No. 6284 is not limited to couples currently living together.

Protection mechanisms can apply to family violence and stalking even after:

separation;
divorce;
moving to different homes.

This is crucial because separation can sometimes be the highest-risk period in a violent relationship.

A former spouse who:

waits outside the victim’s home;
repeatedly calls;
follows the victim;
threatens a new partner;
or approaches the victim’s workplace

can still create a serious protection issue.

Can Protection Be Requested Against a Partner Without Marriage?

Law No. 6284 is broader than a simple “married couples only” statute.

Its protection extends to women exposed to violence, children, family members and victims of persistent stalking.

Therefore, formal marriage is not always necessary for the protection system to become relevant.

The exact relationship and conduct should be explained in the application.

Can a Male Foreigner Request Protection?

Potentially, yes.

Law No. 6284 specifically protects women from gender-based violence but also protects:

children;
family members;
and stalking victims.

Therefore, the statute is not exclusively limited to female victims.

The exact statutory category should be identified in the application.

A foreign man’s nationality does not convert family violence into a legally unprotected act.

Are Law No. 6284 Applications Expensive?

Protection procedures are designed to be accessible and rapid.

Official Ministry guidance states that applications within the Law No. 6284 protection framework are not subject to ordinary charges in the relevant protection process.

Financial inability should therefore not prevent a victim from asking for immediate safety measures.

Legal aid through bar associations may also be available depending on the person’s financial circumstances and the proceedings required.

Can the Victim Obtain Legal Assistance?

Yes.

ŞÖNİM provides legal guidance and counselling among its support services.

Bar associations also operate:

legal aid offices;
women’s rights centres;
and other legal support mechanisms.

A foreign victim may particularly need legal assistance where the case simultaneously involves:

protection order;
divorce;
custody;
criminal complaint;
residence permit;
work permit;
property;
or international child issues.

Can the Protection Order Be Challenged?

Yes.

Parties affected by Law No. 6284 protection and preventive measures may challenge the order.

Current official Ministry guidance states that an objection may be made within two weeks from pronouncement or notification.

The reviewing authority decides the objection within one week, and the decision on the objection is final within the special procedure.

A victim should understand that an objection by the perpetrator does not automatically mean the protection disappears.

The decision remains legally operative unless altered through the appropriate procedure.

Practical Example 1: Turkish Husband Threatens Foreign Wife with Deportation

A foreign wife holds a family residence permit through her Turkish husband.

He:

hits her;
takes her passport;
threatens deportation;
controls all money;
and refuses to allow her to leave the home.

She can potentially request:

removal of husband from the shared home;
no-contact order;
prohibition on approaching her home and workplace;
police protection;
return of documents through law enforcement;
temporary financial aid;
temporary maintenance;
shelter if necessary.

If domestic violence is judicially established and divorce later occurs, the three-year family-residence condition for the special post-divorce short-term residence route is not required.

Practical Example 2: Foreign Couple Living in Istanbul

Both spouses are foreign nationals.

The husband repeatedly assaults the wife.

The wife believes:

“Law No. 6284 only protects Turkish women against Turkish husbands.”

That is incorrect.

The protection system is based on violence and the protected-person categories, not on the perpetrator being Turkish.

Foreign women also have access to shelter services regardless of nationality or status.

She can seek Turkish protective measures while physically present in Türkiye.

Practical Example 3: No Physical Assault but Serious Stalking

A foreign woman separates from her partner.

He does not hit her.

Instead, he:

calls 100 times a day;
waits outside her workplace;
sends threatening messages;
follows her home.

She does not need to wait for physical assault.

Law No. 6284 expressly protects victims of unilateral persistent stalking and recognises psychological and threatening conduct within the violence framework.

A no-contact and no-approach order can be requested.

Practical Example 4: Perpetrator Owns the House

A Turkish husband owns the matrimonial apartment entirely in his own name.

He assaults his foreign wife.

He says:

“This is my house. You have to leave.”

The Family Court can nevertheless order the perpetrator removed from the shared home and allocate the residence to the protected person for the duration of the measure.

Property ownership and immediate domestic violence protection are separate questions.

Practical Example 5: Violence in Front of the Children

A foreign mother and her children live with an abusive spouse.

The children repeatedly witness serious violence.

The Family Court can address not only the victim’s safety but also:

whether the perpetrator may approach the children;
whether existing personal contact should be supervised;
limited;
or suspended.

The violence can also become important evidence in later custody proceedings.

Practical Example 6: Perpetrator Has a Gun

A foreign victim reports that the abusive spouse owns licensed firearms.

The protection request should specifically identify this risk.

The judge may order legally possessed weapons to be surrendered.

Even weapons assigned because of public employment can be ordered returned to the relevant institution.

In a high-risk case, this information should be provided immediately rather than discovered after another violent incident.

Practical Example 7: Protection Order Is Repeatedly Violated

A perpetrator receives an order prohibiting contact.

He nevertheless:

sends messages;
comes to the victim’s apartment;
follows her to work.

Each violation should be reported.

A first violation can result in 3–10 days of coercive imprisonment; repeated breaches can result in 15–30 days per recurrence, subject to the statutory overall maximum.

Repeated violations may also justify stronger risk-management measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner obtain a restraining order in Türkiye?

Yes. Foreign nationality does not prevent a qualifying victim from seeking protection under Law No. 6284.

Does the foreign victim need Turkish citizenship?

No.

Can foreign women use women’s shelters?

Yes. Official Ministry guidance states that foreign women may benefit from shelter services regardless of nationality or status when they are victims of domestic violence or violence against women.

Do I need a medical assault report?

No. Protective measures can be ordered without evidence or documentary proof.

Where can I apply?

Police, gendarmerie, Family Court, Public Prosecutor’s Office, governorate and district governorate are among the available routes.

Can the violent spouse be removed from the house?

Yes.

What if the house belongs to the violent spouse?

Ownership does not automatically prevent a temporary removal order.

Can the perpetrator be prohibited from calling or messaging me?

Yes.

Can the perpetrator be prohibited from approaching my workplace?

Yes.

Can the court protect my children?

Yes.

Can contact with children be supervised or suspended?

Yes, where necessary.

Can firearms be taken away?

Yes.

Can I receive police protection?

Potentially, where there is serious danger to life.

Can I receive shelter?

Yes.

Can my children come to the shelter?

Appropriate accommodation and shelter services can include accompanying children.

Can I receive financial assistance?

Potentially yes.

Can I receive temporary maintenance from my spouse?

Yes. A judge can even award qualifying temporary maintenance without a specific request where the perpetrator provides or contributes to family support.

Can my address be kept secret?

Yes, where necessary for effective protection.

Can police help me get my passport from the house?

Upon request, personal belongings and documents may be retrieved through law enforcement mechanisms.

Do I have to divorce first?

No.

Do I need to file a criminal complaint first?

No. Protection and criminal proceedings are separate.

How long can a protection order last?

The first order can be issued for up to six months and can be extended or modified where the risk continues.

What happens if the order is violated?

Coercive imprisonment can be imposed.

Will domestic violence affect my family residence permit?

It can be highly relevant.

What happens if I divorce my Turkish spouse before completing three years of family residence?

Normally the special divorce-based transition requires three years of family residence, but this requirement does not apply where the relevant court establishes domestic violence.

Can my Turkish spouse personally cancel my residence permit?

No. Immigration decisions are made by the competent authorities.

What Should a Foreign Victim Do Immediately?

A practical sequence can be:

Step 1 — Prioritise Physical Safety

If there is immediate danger, contact law enforcement.

Do not wait to gather perfect evidence.

Step 2 — Tell Authorities About Specific Risks

Mention:

weapons;
death threats;
strangulation;
stalking;
threats against children;
previous violence;
previous protection-order breaches.

Step 3 — Request Law No. 6284 Measures

Ask specifically for measures appropriate to the case.

For example:

removal from home;
no approach;
no communication;
child protection;
surrender of weapons.

Step 4 — Request Safe Accommodation If Necessary

Contact ŞÖNİM or law enforcement for shelter arrangements.

Step 5 — Protect Identity Documents

If passport or residence documents remain in the house, request police assistance rather than returning alone.

Step 6 — Preserve Evidence

Keep:

screenshots;
medical reports;
photographs;
witness information;
police reports.

Step 7 — Protect Children

Inform authorities whether the children:

witnessed violence;
were threatened;
or are themselves victims.

Step 8 — Review Immigration Status

Determine whether residence depends on the abusive spouse.

Step 9 — Review Divorce and Custody Strategy

Protection can be sought before divorce, but family-law proceedings may later be necessary.

Step 10 — Report Every Violation

A protection order is meaningful only if breaches are documented and enforced.

The Most Important Immigration Point for Foreign Spouses

For foreign spouses married to Turkish citizens, domestic violence can affect not only safety but also immigration status.

Ordinarily, a divorced foreign spouse who wishes to rely on the special post-divorce transition to short-term residence must have spent at least three years in Türkiye on a family residence permit.

But Law No. 6458 creates an exception where domestic violence is judicially established.

In such a case, the ordinary three-year requirement is not applied.

This rule is particularly important because otherwise a violent spouse could use immigration dependency as leverage.

For example:

“Stay with me until you complete three years or you will lose your residence.”

The legislation prevents that three-year threshold from operating in the normal way where the relevant court has established domestic violence.

A foreign spouse who may need this exception should therefore preserve every relevant judicial document.

Protection Order, Divorce Case and Immigration Application Are Three Different Procedures

A foreign victim should understand that there may be three simultaneous legal tracks.

Track 1 — Protection

Law No. 6284.

Objective:

stop the violence immediately.

Possible measures:

removal;
no contact;
police protection;
shelter;
financial support.

Track 2 — Family Law

Divorce, custody, maintenance and matrimonial issues.

Objective:

resolve the long-term family relationship.

Track 3 — Immigration

Residence permit or work permit status.

Objective:

ensure lawful continuation of residence in Türkiye where legally available.

A person can need all three processes at the same time.

Winning a Law No. 6284 protection order does not automatically:

grant divorce;
permanently determine custody;
or issue a new residence permit.

Likewise, filing for divorce does not automatically create all necessary protection measures.

The procedures should therefore be coordinated rather than confused.

Conclusion: Foreigners Experiencing Domestic Violence in Türkiye Have Immediate Protection Rights

A foreign national living in Türkiye should never assume that domestic violence is a private family issue that Turkish authorities cannot address because the victim is not Turkish.

Law No. 6284 creates a rapid protection mechanism for persons experiencing violence or facing a danger of violence.

The law protects:

women;
children;
family members;
and victims of persistent stalking.

Foreign women are expressly allowed to benefit from women’s shelters without discrimination based on nationality or immigration status.

This is especially important for victims whose abusive partners use immigration dependency as a weapon.

A victim does not need to wait until:

serious injury occurs;
the perpetrator is convicted;
divorce is filed;
or perfect evidence is collected.

Protective measures can be granted without requiring documentary proof of violence.

Depending on the circumstances, the authorities can protect the victim by:

removing the perpetrator from the shared residence;
allocating the home to the victim;
prohibiting approach;
banning telephone and digital contact;
restricting contact with children;
requiring surrender of firearms;
arranging temporary police protection;
providing safe accommodation;
granting temporary financial support;
providing counselling;
granting temporary maintenance;
protecting confidential address information;
changing the victim’s workplace;
and, in exceptional life-threatening situations, taking much stronger identity-protection measures.

Importantly, the victim does not necessarily have to leave the family home.

A judge may remove the violent spouse instead.

This can apply even where the property legally belongs to that spouse because immediate protection and final ownership are different legal questions.

Children must also be considered separately.

Where necessary, existing contact arrangements can be:

supervised;
restricted;
or suspended.

The perpetrator may also be prohibited from approaching children, relatives and witnesses.

If a court order is violated, the legal system provides enforcement consequences.

A first breach can result in 3 to 10 days of coercive imprisonment, while repeated breaches can produce 15 to 30 days for each recurrence, subject to the statutory maximum.

Protection orders are not limited to a few days.

The initial period can be up to six months, and measures may be extended or changed where the danger continues.

For foreign spouses, immigration should be analysed at the same time.

Domestic violence can be particularly important where the victim’s residence permit depends on marriage to a Turkish citizen.

Ordinarily, a foreign spouse needs at least three years of family residence in Türkiye to use the special post-divorce transition route to short-term residence.

However, where the relevant court establishes domestic violence, this three-year condition is not required.

That means a foreign spouse should not remain in a violent marriage simply because they believe:

“I must complete three years before I can leave.”

The law contains a specific protection against that result.

A foreign victim should therefore consider the entire legal picture:

Is there immediate danger?

Does the perpetrator have weapons?

Are children in danger?

Is a removal order needed?

Should communication be prohibited?

Is police protection necessary?

Is shelter required?

Does the victim need temporary money or maintenance?

Should the address remain confidential?

Has the perpetrator violated earlier orders?

Is divorce necessary?

What happens to custody?

Does residence depend on the abusive spouse?

Does the domestic violence immigration exception apply?

The safest legal approach is not to treat these as separate unrelated problems.

Domestic violence, family law and immigration law often need to be handled together.

Legal Basis

Law No. 6284 on the Protection of the Family and Prevention of Violence Against Women

Protected Persons

Law No. 6284 protects women, children, family members and victims of persistent stalking who experience or are at risk of violence.

Article 3 — Protective Measures by Administrative Authorities

Possible measures include:

suitable accommodation for the victim and children;
temporary financial assistance;
psychological, professional, legal and social counselling;
temporary protection where there is danger to life;
childcare support under the statutory conditions.

Article 4 — Protective Measures by the Judge

The judge may order:

change of workplace;
separate residence;
family-home annotation;
and exceptional identity-protection measures where life-threatening danger exists and other measures are inadequate.

Article 5 — Preventive Measures Against the Perpetrator

Possible orders include:

prohibition of threats, insults and humiliating conduct;
removal from the shared residence;
allocation of the residence to the protected person;
prohibition on approaching the victim;
prohibition on approaching home, school and workplace;
restriction or suspension of child contact;
prohibition on approaching relatives and witnesses;
prohibition on damaging property;
prohibition on electronic and other harassment;
surrender of firearms;
restrictions relating to alcohol and drugs;
examination and treatment.

Duration

The first protective measure may be ordered for up to six months.

Where the risk continues, the measure can be extended, changed, continued or removed according to the circumstances.

Violation

Violation can result in coercive imprisonment.

The first violation can lead to 3–10 days, with longer periods for repeated violations, subject to a total statutory maximum of six months.

Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection

Domestic Violence and Post-Divorce Residence

A foreign spouse divorced from a Turkish citizen may normally seek the specific transition to short-term residence after at least three years of family residence.

Where the relevant court establishes that the foreign spouse was a victim of domestic violence, the three-year requirement does not apply.

Final Checklist for a Foreign Domestic Violence Victim in Türkiye

Immediately determine:

Is there immediate danger to life?
Are there firearms?
Has the perpetrator threatened to kill the victim?
Have children witnessed violence?
Have children also been assaulted?
Is urgent police intervention needed?
Is removal from the shared home necessary?
Should the victim remain in the home?
Is a no-approach order necessary?
Should workplace and school be included?
Is a no-contact order required?
Should social media contact also be prohibited?
Should child contact be supervised or suspended?
Should relatives or witnesses be protected?
Must firearms be surrendered?
Is alcohol or drug abuse relevant?
Is police protection necessary?
Is shelter required?
Are children going to the shelter too?
Is temporary financial assistance necessary?
Is temporary maintenance necessary?
Is childcare support required?
Should the victim’s address be kept confidential?
Are identity-protection measures necessary?
Has a medical report been obtained, if safely possible?
Are threatening messages preserved?
Is a criminal complaint appropriate?
Does the victim need a lawyer?
Is divorce being considered?
Does the victim’s residence permit depend on the abusive spouse?
How long has the foreigner held a family residence permit?
Has domestic violence been judicially established?
Does the three-year immigration exception apply?
Does the victim have an independent work permit?
Does another residence status exist?
Has the protection order been violated?
Were those violations reported?
Does the protection order need extension?
Is electronic monitoring appropriate?
Are protection, divorce, custody and immigration strategies being coordinated?

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information concerning domestic violence protection, Law No. 6284, family law and immigration consequences in Türkiye as of September 2026. It does not constitute individual legal advice. In cases involving immediate danger, the priority should be contacting law enforcement and obtaining emergency protection. Immigration, divorce, custody and criminal-law consequences should then be assessed according to the specific facts.

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