Moving to Turkey

Living in Turkey as an expat

Turkey sits on the Anatolian Peninsula, acting as the physical bridge between Europe and Asia. While the interior is defined by craggy peaks and high plateaus, the country is hemmed in by water on three sides. You can drive from the rugged Black Sea coast to the turquoise waters of the Aegean in a single day.

Daily life here is a collision of eras; you might scan a QR code to pay for simit from a cart that looks like it belongs in the 19th century. However, bureaucracy can be a sharp reality check. The government has ‘closed’ over 1,100 neighbourhoods to new foreign residence permits to manage population density. Before you sign a lease or fall in love with a specific district, you must check the official closure list, or you risk being denied residency entirely.

Moving to and Living in Ankara 
Moving to and Living in Istanbul

Working in Turkey

Securing a local job is tough because Turkish law generally requires companies to hire five Turkish citizens for every foreign employee they sponsor. Unless you have a transfer with a multinational, your best bets are usually in finance, tourism or English teaching (TEFL).

Remote workers have a new lifeline: the Digital Nomad Visa. Launched in 2024, this programme allows applicants aged 21 to 55 with a steady income (roughly USD 3,000 monthly) to bypass local sponsorship hurdles entirely. If you don’t qualify for this, you must obtain a standard work permit before you start your job; working without one is illegal and carries the risk of deportation.

Working in Turkey 
Visas for Turkey 
Work Permits for Turkey

Turkish culture

You will likely find yourself sipping çay (tea) several times a day; it is the default gesture of hospitality, and refusing a glass can be seen as a slight. Whether you are negotiating a rug price or visiting a neighbour, the tea will keep flowing.

Although the state is secular, the atmosphere is undeniably shaped by Islam. The call to prayer (Ezan) echoes from minarets five times a day – a sound that quickly becomes the background track to your routine. Socially, you should prepare for a relaxed approach to time; plans often shift at the last minute, and patience is a necessary survival skill.

Local Culture in Turkey
Business Culture in Turkey

Finding accommodation in Turkey

Most expats choose to live in siteler – gated complexes that typically include security, gyms, pools and playgrounds. These offer a ‘soft landing’ for foreigners and are particularly popular with families. Since the removal of the 25 percent rent cap in July 2024, however, annual increases are now tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning your rent could legally jump by 60 percent or more upon renewal.

Before you sign anything, you must check the government’s ‘closed neighbourhood’ list. Residency permits are no longer issued for foreigners in over 1,100 specific neighbourhoods (including popular parts of Istanbul like Fatih and Esenyurt) to control population density. To make matters worse, due to inflation, many landlords now demand six to twelve months of rent upfront from foreign tenants.

Renting Expat Accommodation in Turkey

Cost of living in Turkey

Turkey’s affordability is a tale of two currencies. If you earn Turkish Lira, the high inflation makes daily life expensive; if you earn a stable foreign currency, your purchasing power is stronger, although the gap is closing. ‘Dollar inflation’ has hit major cities hard, and you may find that dining out in trendy Istanbul districts now rivals prices in London or Paris.

While rent and services remain lower than in the US or Western Europe, imported goods are heavily taxed. You will pay a significant premium for electronics, cars, alcohol and fuel. Conversely, local produce at the weekly bazaars is high quality and incredibly cheap, so cooking at home is the best way to shield your budget.

Cost of Living in Turkey

Living in Turkey with children

Turkish culture is deeply family oriented, and children are welcomed – and often doted on – everywhere from cafés to boardrooms. A major advantage for expat families is the affordability of domestic help. Many professionals hire full-time, live-in nannies (often from the Philippines or Central Asia) for a fraction of the cost of childcare in the UK or US.

Regarding health, the private system is excellent and resembles 5-star hospitality in major cities. To obtain a residence permit, foreign nationals between 18 and 65 must have valid health insurance. While basic ‘foreigner insurance’ meets the legal requirement, we recommend a comprehensive international health insurance plan to get the best coverage in top-tier hospitals.

Healthcare and Health Insurance in Turkey

Finding a school in Turkey

While public education is free, the language barrier means most expat families opt for private institutions. You generally have two choices: an international school, which is legally restricted to holders of foreign passports and follows a curriculum like the IB or British A Levels; or a private Turkish school, which follows the national curriculum but offers intensive English instruction.

International schools are concentrated in Istanbul and Ankara. Be prepared for sticker shock; annual tuition at the best institutions can rival university fees in the USA. If your children are young and you plan to stay long term, a local private school might be a better investment. It forces them to master Turkish early, and this will help them integrate in a way that an international bubble cannot.

Education and Schools in Turkey
Best International Schools in Istanbul
Best International Schools in Ankara

Getting around in Turkey

Public transport in major cities is efficient and integrates metros, ferries and buses into a single card system (like the IstanbulKart). However, to travel like a local, you must master the dolmuş. These shared minibuses run on fixed routes but will stop anywhere to pick you up or drop you off. They are faster than buses, cheaper than taxis, and usually require cash payment to the driver.

For intercity travel, the High Speed Train (YHT) network is an excellent alternative to flying, connecting hubs like Istanbul, Ankara and Konya. If you choose to drive, keep your wits about you; Turkish drivers can be aggressive, and the accident rate is high. The legal blood alcohol limit for private drivers is 0.05 percent, but for commercial drivers, it is strictly zero.

Public Transport and Driving in Turkey

Climate and weather in Turkey

Turkey’s weather is dictated by its geography. The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts offer the classic summer holiday experience: hot, dry days and mild winters. In contrast, the Black Sea region is lush and wet year round. The weather here mirrors the Pacific Northwest or the UK.

If you move inland to the Central Anatolian plateau or the east, the sea’s influence disappears. Here, the seasons are stark; summers are scorching and dry, while winters bring heavy snow and temperatures that frequently drop below freezing.

Weather and Climate in Turkey

Although Turkey’s most popular city and the centre where most expats are based is Istanbul, there is much more to the country than just one city. You might prefer the slow pace of an Aegean olive grove or the snowy peaks of the east to the bustle of the capital. Turkey has a wide range of sights that will readily appeal to history buffs, nightclub fanatics, archaeology nuts, sun worshippers, city lovers, and shopping addicts. Wherever you land, you will find a country that is challenging and endlessly welcoming to those who make the effort to understand it.

Fast facts

Official name: Republic of Türkiye

Population: Approximately 85.3 million

Capital city: Ankara

Other major cities: Istanbul, Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, Gaziantep

Neighbouring countries: Turkey is bordered by Greece and Bulgaria to the west; Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran to the east; and Iraq and Syria to the south.

Political system: Presidential republic

Major religions: Islam is the dominant religion, practised by over 90 percent of the population.

Main languages: Turkish is the official language. English is commonly spoken in business and tourist hubs, but is rare in rural areas.

Time: GMT+3

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz. Plugs are the standard European two-pin type (Type C and F).

Money: The Turkish Lira (TRY), divided into 100 kuruş

Internet domain: .tr

International dialling code: +90

Emergency numbers: 112 (Unified number for police, ambulance and fire)

Transport and driving: Cars drive on the right-hand side.