Your life in Turkey starts here
Make your move to Turkey
Coastlines, history and famously low prices make Turkey tempting, with generous tax exemptions for expats. Remote-work and means-based routes exist, and property investment opens a path to citizenship.
Photo: Fatih Doğrul / Pexels
At a glance
Turkey, in brief.
How Turkey compares with the 80+ destinations we cover. Turkey ranks among the best for property affordability (5th of 75) and cost of living (11th of 77) and visa ease (27th of 81).
Compare destinations- Cost of living
- Very low
- Property
- Very affordable
- Healthcare
- Basic
- Safety
- Moderate
- Climate
- Warm (~19°C)
- English
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Established
Nomad or means-based route, $400k property to citizenship
Worldwide, 40% top, new 20yr expat exemption
Life in Turkey
I am Harry Miller, a 63-year-old American originally from Colorado.Where, when and why did you move abroad? Initially, I moved to Elazig, Turkey, in September of 2010.Elazig is…
Health insurance in Turkey
Covered from day one.
The dream is the easy part. Compare tailored expat health insurance quotes from trusted international insurers, in minutes and with no obligation.
Get health insurance quotesMoving your belongings too? Get up to five free quotes from international moversSending money abroad? Use a currency specialist
Your move plan
Turkey, one step at a time.
Thirteen steps, in the order most people tackle them. Each one links to the guide that walks you through it.
- 01Check which visa fits your moveRead the guide : Check which visa fits your move
- 02Work out your monthly budgetRead the guide : Work out your monthly budget
- 03Arrange health cover for your moveRead the guide : Arrange health cover for your move
- 04Understand how the health system worksRead the guide : Understand how the health system works
- 05Bring your pet, if you have oneRead the guide : Bring your pet, if you have one
- 06Find somewhere to rentRead the guide : Find somewhere to rent
- 07Open a local bank accountRead the guide : Open a local bank account
- 08Know your residency steps after you arriveRead the guide : Know your residency steps after you arrive
- 09Find a doctorRead the guide : Find a doctor
- 10Understand your tax positionRead the guide : Understand your tax position
- 11Sort out your driving licenceRead the guide : Sort out your driving licence
- 12Set up a phone and internetRead the guide : Set up a phone and internet
- 13Plan schools, if you're moving with childrenRead the guide : Plan schools, if you're moving with children
Plan your move
Answers for your move.
Free tools that turn big questions about Turkey into clear answers.
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- Compare cost of livingWhat your money is worth in Turkey.01
- Check retirement affordabilityWhere your pension clears the requirement.02
- Find visa optionsEvery route you could qualify for.03
- Get moving quotesUp to five free quotes from international movers.04
- Move money abroadTransfers with a currency specialist.05
The complete picture
The Turkey moving guide.
54 guides, from your visa to finding a vet. Start with the three most people need first.
- Start here · 01
Visas
Which visa fits your move, and how to apply.
- Start here · 02
Residency
Your residence permit, from first stay to long term.
- Start here · 03
Banking
Opening an account and moving money.
Visas, residency and work
6
Healthcare
7
Buying property
5
Health and wellbeing
8
Travel and transport
5
Driving and cars
5
You won't be the first
Real people who made the move.
People who built a life in Turkey share what surprised them, what helped and what they'd do again. All Turkey stories
- Izmir
Catie Funk
I am travel writer and photographer as well as an expat blogger and podcaster for FunkTravels. I am currently learning Turkish part…
- Istanbul
Colin
My name is Colin Guest, a 76 year old retired Englishman.Where, when and why did you move abroad?I came to work in…
- Istanbul
Lisa Morrow
I’m from Australia where I trained as a sociologist but became an English language teacher instead. I started a blog about three…
Fresh from Turkey
Latest articles.
From Hamams to Hair Transplants: Health and Wellness for Expats in Turkey
With a rich history that merges East and West, Turkey presents a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern advancements. One area where this…
What Quality Of Healthcare Can You Expect In Turkey?
Healthcare in Turkey consists of a mix of public and private health services. Turkey has universal healthcare under its Universal Health Insurance (Genel Sağlık…
What Options Are Available For Chronically Ill Expats In Turkey?
If you suffer from a chronic illness, then moving abroad can be a stressful time, especially if you are not familiar with your destination's…
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