Moving to Turkey is exciting, but the first weeks bring a lot of paperwork: permits, tax numbers, bank accounts, phone registration and finding a home. Doing things in the right order saves time and stress. This moving to Turkey checklist covers everything new residents need to sort out in 2027.
Before You Move
- Choose your legal route: student, work, family, property-based or other residence permit. See residence permit by property purchase, work permit in Turkey or student visa and residence permit.
- Check entry rules for your nationality (visa-free, e-Visa or consulate visa).
- Prepare documents: passport valid for long enough, birth and marriage certificates, diplomas, translated and apostilled where needed.
- Plan your budget for deposit, rent, permits and insurance; see cost of living in Turkey.
Your First Week
- Get a Turkish tax number at a tax office (needed for renting, banking and contracts).
- Get a local SIM card and register your phone if you plan to use a foreign phone long term.
- Stay in temporary accommodation while you view flats in person.
- Buy an Istanbulkart (or the local transport card in your city).
Your First Month
- Apply for your residence permit online through e-ikamet and attend your appointment.
- Buy health insurance that meets residence permit requirements.
- Sign your rental contract and register your address with the population office.
- Open a bank account (requirements vary by bank; a tax number and address are usually needed).
- Set up utilities: electricity, water, gas and internet in your name or the landlord’s.
Settling In
- Choose schools for children (state, private or international).
- Register with a family doctor or choose private clinics.
- Exchange or register your driving licence if you plan to drive.
- Learn basic Turkish; it helps everywhere.
- Join expat and professional communities in your city.
- Track your permit expiry dates and renew early.
- Keep digital copies of every document and receipt.
Moving to Turkey soon?
Saya Group’s Istanbul team helps with residence permits, property, company setup and settling in, so your move goes smoothly.
Cost of Living Tips for New Residents
- Compare neighbourhoods carefully; rent is the biggest cost.
- Shop at local markets (pazar) for fresh produce.
- Use public transport cards instead of taxis.
- Watch exchange rates and keep some savings in a stable currency.
Documents to Bring: A Detailed Checklist
Paperwork is the part of moving to Turkey that causes the most delays. Many foreign documents must be apostilled (or legalised by a consulate) in the country that issued them, and then translated into Turkish by a sworn translator and usually notarised in Turkey. Getting this done before you leave saves weeks.
- Passport with enough validity for the permit you plan to request, plus several spare pages.
- Biometric photos that meet Turkish permit specifications; you will need them for several applications.
- Civil documents: birth certificates for every family member and your marriage certificate if your spouse is joining you.
- Education records: diplomas and transcripts if you will work, study or need professional recognition.
- Children’s records: school reports and vaccination records to make school enrolment easier.
- Financial evidence: recent bank statements or proof of income, often requested for permits and rental contracts.
- Driving licence and, if you plan to drive for longer, any documents needed to convert it.
Keep originals in a safe folder and store scanned copies in the cloud so you can share them quickly when an office asks.
Finding a Home: Renting Tips for Foreigners
Housing is usually your largest expense and one of your first big decisions. View flats in person, or through someone you trust, before paying anything. A typical rental involves a deposit, the first month’s rent and often an agent’s fee, so budget for this upfront cost.
- Read the contract carefully. Contracts are normally in Turkish. Ask for a translation and check the rent, deposit, duration, rent increase terms and who pays building fees (aidat).
- Pay by bank transfer. Bank records protect both you and the landlord if there is a dispute later.
- Check the building. Turkey is an earthquake-prone country, so ask about the building’s age, construction and whether it has been assessed. Newer buildings built under updated regulations are generally preferred.
- Document the condition. Take dated photos of the flat when you move in so your deposit is easier to recover.
Remember that your address matters for your residence permit, so confirm that the neighbourhood is open to new foreign residents before you sign.
Healthcare and Insurance After You Move
Most residence permit applicants need health insurance that meets the immigration authority’s requirements, and many expats choose private insurance for faster access to private hospitals. If you work legally in Turkey with a work permit, your employer generally registers you with the Social Security Institution (SGK). Depending on your situation and length of residence, you may also be able, or required, to join the state general health insurance scheme, so check the current rules with SGK.
Save the emergency number 112 in your phone and find the nearest hospital to your home. Pharmacies are widespread, and a duty pharmacy (nöbetçi eczane) is open at night in every area. Keep a list of your prescriptions with the generic medicine names, because brand names can differ from those in your home country.
Choosing Schools for Your Children
If you are moving to Turkey with children, start looking at schools as early as possible, because popular private and international schools can have waiting lists. You will generally choose between three options:
- State schools teach in Turkish and are free, which suits younger children who can learn the language quickly.
- Private Turkish schools follow the national curriculum, often with stronger foreign-language teaching and smaller classes.
- International schools follow foreign curricula such as the IB, British or American systems and charge significantly higher fees.
Visit schools, ask about admission documents and placement tests, and check how the school supports children who are new to Turkish.
Common Mistakes New Residents Make
- Overstaying a visa or visa-free period while waiting to start the permit process; this can lead to fines and entry bans.
- Letting a permit expire. Apply for renewal well before the expiry date and keep proof of your application.
- Not updating your address after moving flats; address changes must be reported within the deadline set by the rules.
- Assuming a residence permit allows work. Working legally requires a separate work permit or another status that allows employment.
- Carrying large sums in cash or paying deposits without receipts.
Rules on residence, registration and insurance change regularly. Always confirm current requirements on official government websites or with a licensed professional before acting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Turkey without a residence permit?
It depends on your nationality and visa; many visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Longer stays require a residence permit.
Which city is best for foreigners?
Istanbul offers the most opportunities, while Antalya, İzmir and Ankara are popular for quieter, cheaper living.
Can I buy property and get residency?
Yes, if the property meets the minimum value and other conditions. See buying property in Turkey.
Do I need to speak Turkish to live in Turkey?
Not at first, especially in Istanbul and coastal cities, but basic Turkish makes daily life, paperwork and friendships much easier. Many newcomers take a Turkish language course at TÖMER in their first year.
Can my spouse and children move to Turkey with me?
Yes. Once you hold a valid permit, your spouse and children can usually apply for a family residence permit in Turkey, provided you meet the income, insurance and document requirements.
Can I bring my pet when moving to Turkey?
Usually yes, if the animal is microchipped, vaccinated against rabies and travels with the required health certificate. Some countries of origin need extra tests, so check current import rules and your airline’s policy well in advance.
