Living in Turkey

Living in Turkey can be something of a culture shock for those coming from elsewhere. However, with some planning ahead, and the help of some Turkish people or Turkish-speaking friends you'll be living in Turkey in the sun, happy as larry, in no time.

Carrying out as much research as possible about living in Turkey, and the area you're relocating to will pay off in the long run, as it will help to ease the culture shock and make you feel more at home.

See our Working in Turkey section for information about the process of gaining employment in Turkey. More information...

Step number one
The first logical step when making the decision to live in Turkey would be 'where to relocate to'. At International Property Agents we can help you decide this; our in-depth knowledge of many of the areas in Turkey means we'll be able to guide you in the right direction. Take a look at our places in Turkey section as a starting point. More information...

Step number two
Finding the right property in Turkey. Obviously, this is definitely our field of expertise! Investing in property in Turkey is a popular option currently, as the prices are increasing at such a rate. Contact us to talk about investment opportunities in Turkey, and what type of property would suit your needs and wants best.

Step number three
Furnishing your new home. There are three options here; a) ship your furniture out to Turkey, b) buy everything new or c) a mixture of the two. For people who are 100% upping sticks and moving to live in Turkey, shipping most or all of the furnishings is probably the most favourable option.

It is possible to purchase everything in Turkey, from white goods to wine glasses. It goes without saying that you should check everything over before handing any money over, and be shy about bartering - the vendors expect it.

Step number four
Getting yourself connected. If you're planning to live in Turkey you'll need to know and understand that water, gas, electricity, phone, internet and so on all have their own procedures. Currently, all utility companies are government owned, meaning no competition to bring the prices down, but in all fairness the prices are reasonable.

Water. Assuming the property in Turkey you'll live in has a water supply, you'll just need to pay a visit to the water company, or the Belediye (the municipality) to open an account, and to pay any bills.

Electricity. The electricity is supplied by TEDAŞ. When you move in you'll need to visit your local TEDAŞ office to open an account. In order to successfully open an account you may have to pay any outstanding costs on the account.

Gas. Again, assuming your property's connected, you'll just need to visit the local office of the gas company to open an account. If there isn't a connection and you'd like one, you can pay to be connected, provided there's a local supply.

Telephone. The telephone lines in Turkey are supplied by Türk Telecom, and as it is a monopoly, prices are relatively high. Opening an account is easy if you have Turkish residency, however if you don't you may have to have a Turkish friend who will have a line for you in their name, although this is becoming less and less common. Your phone bills are payable in person at the post office - try not to leave it too as the queues for payment on the last day can be huge! Alternatively, you can set up a standing order from your bank account.

Internet. Getting connected to the internet in well-populated areas is becoming increasingly easier over time. For an ASDL service you need to apply at the post office, you'll then receive monthly bills which can again by paid by person at the post office or via standing order.

Step number five
Other bits and bobs. If you have pets that you want to take to Turkey with you to live, consult the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk. In Turkey there is no equivalent of the NHS so remember to set yourself up with comprehensive health insurance.

Click here to contact us for more information about living in Turkey.