International Retirement Migration (IRM)

The transitions between each stage in the life course have become much more complex, for
example, in England over the last two decades the duration and concept of ‘working life’ has
changed. Significant numbers of men and women nowadays retire before the state pension
age as well as they can retire later than the date the state implemented for them. This retired
population generally prefer to move rural areas3 or abroad4 as alternative lining places. This
second migration movement generally takes place in direction from north to the south.5 The
European people and retired citizens mostly prefer the destinations, typically in
Mediterranean coastal regions like Spain, Greece, Italy and Turkey, nowadays.
A noteworthy work of Irene Hardill et al. in a paper titled “Retirement migration” issues
English speaking migrants who retire to Spain. They concluded that in northern European
countries like Britain, the older adults approach legal retirement age in England, the more
expectations for further lives. One half of men and one third of women now retire before the
state pension age. They became desperate as a result of this insipid situation. Migration to
Spain has been perceived to offer value for money because property is cheaper than in the
UK, and the life costs are less. This is coupled with the warm climate to make it a popular
destination but this is only part of the story as some older people currently living in Spain,
who have lived there for some considerable length of time, are unable to address their own
needs, either as a result of health problems or lack of finance.
Dwyer’s study, employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, is another influential
work in the field. The study was conducted in the coastal region of Costa Blanca in Spain.
Scandinavians in the area were interviewed and asked to fill in a questionnaire. This study
shows that the main motives for Scandinavians migrating south following retirement are the
climate, economic issues, health reasons and life cycle issues. After careful consideration,
the elders decide to move to the other countries for various reasons rather than just one. The
study also shows that two main factors drive the market for housing for migrants from
northern Europe in the Mediterranean coasts: the rise in international retirement migration
(IRM) and a rising demand from older people who already live in the area. This study has
also shown that coincidence affects many of the choices and decisions about migration.
Dwyer identifies two different groups of retired European Union migrants: the ‘post-retirement
migrants’ and the ‘returnees’. The first group are those who migrate to a second country
following retirement. The second group is nationals of one state who had migrated to another
state and then return to their country of origin. The returnees group can itself be further
differentiated into two subgroups: ‘returning workers’ and ‘returning retirees’.
All in all, taking benefiting from a better climate and enjoying the sunshine as one element of
a healthier, happier lifestyle appear to be the main reasons behind the motives of IRM’s from
northern and Western Europe preferred to settle in Aegean and Mediterranean coasts. 9 Still,
it should be kept in mind that these people can not be considered as homogeneous group.
IRM’s with different ages have different desires and needs and their feeling about the host
country significantly differs across the general group.
When it comes to the IRM’s in Turkey, studies on the subject remain insufficient. For this
reason, taking the similarities between Turkey and the other countries of the Mediterranean
coast into consideration, the findings of the studies, conducted in those countries were used
to gain insight. What is more, the reason for moving to these Mediterranean countries
resembles, the studies on those countries are helpful for the academic research and work in
Turkey.


Demographic Information about the IRM’s in Turkey
One needs to have demographic information of the settled foreigners to conduct a research
on this group. Yet gaining an insight regarding the issue is not always an easy task to
achieve. First of all, the settled foreigners do not acquire a residence permit. They can
choose to stay in the country having just a tourist visa and it is easy to extend the duration of
this visa. Since they are not registered in as official residents; it is very hard to follow their
traces from bill accounts since they do not have accounts as well as a result of their
unregistered position. National police records were used to shed some light on the subject in
this regard. According to the National Police Records on 1st March 2007 there were 202,085
foreign holders of residence permits in Turkey who can be grouped under different headings
for example in terms of the places they live in, the highest number of foreign residents in any
one place is the 106,156 in Istanbul; followed by Bursa with 16,772; Antalya with 13,832 and
Ankara with 12,157. In terms of reason to stay they can vary for work and study, according to
their origin from the total number of residence permit holders 93,724 were from EU countries.
Bulgaria has the highest representation with 51,787; next comes Germany with 9,902 and
thirdly Britain with 7,940. As a matter of interest the EU country with the least residence
permit holders in Turkey is Luxembourg, which has a mere 3 citizens holding permits.


Reasons for Settling in Turkey
Mild climate, sea, sun and low cost of living appear to be the main reasons to settle in Turkey
for those IRM’s coming from western and northern Europe states. There are now significant
numbers of British, Dutch, German and Scandinavian citizens settled along Turkey’s Aegean
and Mediterranean coasts; many of these migrants having originally discovered Turkey as a
holiday destination. For long years, ‘settled tourism’ is considered as limited to Spain,
Greece and Italy. Interest in Turkey is relatively new when considered in this context. After
Turkey discovered its potential at the beginning of 1990s, it became one of the primary
destinations for the older citizens of “colder European countries”. Retired people can enjoy a
healthy, comfortable, better life on the shores of Turkey. Turkey, making significant progress
in the accession process of EU membership, seems to have become more attractive not only
for settled foreigners but also for tourists. 11 All in all, main reasons for settling in Turkey can
be listed as below:

For its climate, sun and sea (generally foreigners who come from northern
European countries)

For close personal relations

To set up a business

For employment

For its cheaper prices (for example, with the pension, a retired person can live
better in Turkey than in England, Germany, etc.)

Subsidies of European Countries (For example United Kingdom encourage its
retired citizens to move to another country because of the cost of living in United
Kingdom. Retiring means getting older and health care costs increase when people
get older. So, in countries where health care is very expensive, government
instigate elder people to move to cheaper countries.)

See also: an executive report

A very interesting article. 

The migration of retirees to Spain is backfiring on occasions, with the massive fall in house prices due to the recession, therefore people wishing to repatriate to the UK are in effect stuck with worthless properties.  Also illness in older age is a problem because there is no national health system like the one left behind in the UK.  Also the laws on owning houses in Spain are much more complicated and they can be bulldosed by authorities if there are plans for new roads etc.

But thanks, very interesting!

someone retire me now and send to spain. i need more sun.

Settling permanently in a luxury cruise liner when retirement comes is strongly recommended. The price may seem high at first, but consider some of the benefits.

1. No more gas or electricyr bills, internal telephones free of charge,

2. No more laundry bills, your room is tidied up by others,

3. Ship´s doctor is at your call, any time of the day,

4. Good food, elegantly served for all meals, free booze included,

5. Healthy environment, plenty of fresh air.

6. Interesting people to meet, no permanent committments,

7. Constantly changing view, new excitements at every new port,

8. Very active social life, balls, parties, bingo, bridge every night,

Are you not convinced yet?

alpha, are you advertising your business or what?

 What about sea sickness? And have you never had that feeling that you want to get off - just because you can´t!!

no worries, alpha the dudu guru will comfort you anytime you feel sick

 See items 3 and 7.....need more explanation?

 plus,

9. Free internet connection,

10. Permanent good weather (unless you have an idiot for a Captain)

11. Chance to kick aggressive, ungrateful,  question asking, old ladies silently overboard......and get away with it

 Dont be over enthusiastic...."balls" in Item 8 means big social gatherings.

11. i like most

i vote for alameda

man, is this all? all morning

How about agressive etc old and young men?

 Can´t decide between her and cynic. Well, then both is fine too.....