Step-by-step Guide on How to Move to Turkey in 2024

Turkey is a country positioned between Europe and Asia while having borders with Greece, Georgia, Bulgaria, and Syria. Ex-pats can experience a diverse environment and a mix of different cultures to understand the dynamism of Turkish society.

With the attractive lifestyle and low cost of living in Türkiye, the country has seen an influx of foreigners relocating to it. And while Türkiye is already an expat-friendly country, making the big move can feel intimidating to many. This is why we have crafted this in-depth guide on how to move to Turkey in 2024 so that you can be fully prepared.

Things to Know When Moving to Türkiye in 2024

General Facts About Türkiye

The official name of the country is “Republic of Türkiye” and the capital city is Ankara.
Istanbul is the largest city in Türkiye.
The currency of Türkiye is the Turkish Lira.
Türkiye is a secular country and has no official religion.
A majority of the locals are Muslims.

Decide Your Purpose for Immigration

People can immigrate for a multitude of reasons. Before taking any steps, decide why you want to move to Türkiye. Is it to explore the country? Is it to start a business? Or is it to study in Türkiye? Whatever the reason may be, deciding beforehand can help you know which permit to apply for.

Visiting Türkiye and Applying for Permits

In order to visit Türkiye, you need to apply for a visa. This tourist visa will provide you with a 3-month stay in the country. Additionally, some countries have visa-free entry into Türkiye.

Once the 3-month duration has passed you will need to apply for a permit.

Different permits are issued for various purposes such as working, studying, or joining family.

Failure to apply for a permit after the visa expiration can make your stay illegal in the country and could result in you being deported.

If you receive an employment opportunity in Türkiye, you’ll need a work permit to start working in the country legally.

Moreover, you need to visit the country with a work visa if you wish to work in Türkiye. Once here, if you get a job opportunity, you will have to acquire a work permit which will be applied for by your Turkish employer. If you are outside Türkiye, you will have a limited number of days to enter the country once your application for the permit is approved.

On the other hand, if you want to study in Türkiye, you will require a student permit. It will give you the right to stay in the country until the completion of your degree or course. Moreover, this permit is issued to foreigners to get an education in Türkiye, to attend internships or courses.

If you want to move to Türkiye to join your family, you will need a family visa to enter the country.

To be eligible for this permit, you must be:

The minor child of a Turkish citizen.
The spouse of a Turkish citizen.
The dependent child of a Turkish citizen (above the age of 18).

Afterward, you will need to acquire a family residence permit by applying online through the official website of the Presidency of Migration Management. Next, you will have to visit your nearest Migration office to finish up the process.

You can find out more about the different permits here.

Rent or Purchase a Home?

Some people who shift to Türkiye immediately want their own home so they choose to buy a property. Others want to take their time and decide if they think Türkiye is the fit for them.

Whether you are looking to rent or purchase, the local market has countless options, and most of them have a myriad of facilities to address the diverse needs of residents.

Start Moving Your Belongings

You can bring most of your belongings with you when you fly into the country. Airlines typically offer 30-32 kg in baggage allowance. Check with your airline ahead of time to confirm how much you can carry on your flight to Türkiye.

For all your heavy belongings such as furniture, etc, you can ship them into the country without even having to pay any import duty. The requirement is to have a valid Turkish residence permit.

All you have to do is to declare all the items to the Turkish customs department.

Move Your Pets

If you have any pets, you obviously don’t want to leave them behind during your move. Many pet transportation companies can help you get this done.

You can even confirm with your airline if they will allow you to transport your pet. In this case, make sure you have everything you need to ensure you aren’t taken by surprise at the last moment.

Experience Turkish Culture

Now that you’re in the country, take this time to explore the unique Turkish cuisines. Turkish food isn’t just the usual kabab as most people think. In fact, Turkish food is a rich mix of soups, wraps, vegetables, and pilaf or rice.

Try to establish connections with the locals. Most people in the big cities can speak English so socializing won’t be too much of an issue. Understand the local culture and keep an open mind to fully immerse yourself in it.

Learn the Turkish Language

Learning the local language can help make daily tasks such as buying groceries, paying your bills, etc a lot more hassle-free. You can use language-earning apps to grasp the basics.

Many institutes offer Turkish crash courses as well.

If you have Turkish residence or citizenship, you can enroll in ISMEK’s Turkish for Foreigners program free of charge.

Connect With Other Expats

Turkish towns and cities are loaded with expat communities that include people from various nationalities. Socializing with other expats can be an excellent source of acquiring valuable information that can help you with settling in and potentially open doors to amazing opportunities.

Can I Get Turkish Citizenship Through Investment?

Yes, you can get Turkish citizenship by making a property investment. However, your investment should be worth a minimum of $400,000.

What’s even better is that the Turkish real estate market is packed with various options such as single-family homes, spacious sea-view apartments, luxury Istanbul villas, and immaculate duplexes and tripelexes.

We can make your investment journey and the citizenship application process a trouble-free one. You can book your free consultation with us today to learn more about all the modern residential projects that are worth the investment.

Why Moving to Türkiye Is the Best Thing You Can Do

Türkiye has several thriving industries such as the banking, tech, real estate, and tourism industries. The automobile and construction industries have also had a drastic expansion, leading them to be one of the driving forces of the economy. This has opened up a wealth of business and employment opportunities for foreigners.

To add to this, the Turks are very hospitable and willing to help foreigners whenever needed. They are quite relaxed and friendly by nature and typically very curious about different cultures and languages. Expect to be offered tea wherever you go in this remarkable country.

Lastly, Türkiye’s weather is one of the main reasons why so many foreigners move to it. It is one of the few countries that has all four seasons and a mind-blowingly beautiful and diverse landscape.

A Final Word

Ultimately, researching and planning out your move to Türkiye can help the process go smoothly and ensure you enjoy greater flexibility throughout the process.

For all your real estate needs, contact our team today.