The Global Expat Hub
Turkey
Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world, the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts are cheap and beautiful, and healthcare is excellent value; inflation and a volatile lira need managing.
Your plan for Turkey checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Top cities for expats in Turkey
Costs and character vary significantly within Turkey. Here are the cities our readers compare most.
One of the world's great cities straddling Europe and Asia
Mediterranean resort city with a large expat community and year-round sun
Liberal Aegean city with a seafront promenade and laid-back culture
Upscale Aegean resort town — sailing, beaches and stylish living
Turkey by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
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🌤️ Climate
Mediterranean on the south and west coasts (hot dry summers, mild wet winters), continental in Ankara and Anatolia with snowy winters, humid in Istanbul.
Mean temperatures for Istanbul.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 650 mm (26 in) a year.
Snow Regular in Ankara and the east; occasional in Istanbul.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationMevzuat Bilgi Sistemi (official legislation) ↗
OverviewLaw of Turkey on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax 0.1–0.2% of registered value, 0.2–0.4% in big cities; very low.
Local & regional income tax None regional; national 15–40%.
🎓 University
Public near-free for Turks; international $1–5k/yr, private $8–20k.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $12/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
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🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Citizenship by $400k property investment
- Digital Nomad visa
- Property-based residence permit
- Health tourism: dental and hospital care at a fraction of Western prices
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Turkey embassies, warnings, law and reference
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Life in Turkey faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundSearch for jobs for free, or post a job — free.
Roles open to foreigners in Turkey: remote work you can do from Istanbul, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Searching for and posting expat jobs is always free, for job seekers and employers alike. Every listing stays live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
See all jobs in Turkey and post a job →
In the meantime, search these trusted remote job boards
Free to use. These are independent sites we like; opening in a new tab. Come back to post your own role here — posting is always free.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkey safe for expats?
Turkey scores 52 out of 100 for safety on The Global Expat Hub, and 67 out of 100 for liveability — #36 of the 52 countries we cover. The full breakdown, including official warnings and regional differences, is on the safety page linked from this page.
What is the cost of living in Turkey?
The Global Expat Hub estimates a mid-range lifestyle in Turkey from around $1,600 per month. The figures are national averages for planning, not quotes — big cities run higher — and this page breaks costs down by tier and city.
Can I move to Turkey?
Yes. The routes and incentives The Global Expat Hub lists for Turkey include: Citizenship by $400k property investment; digital Nomad visa; property-based residence permit; health tourism: dental and hospital care at a fraction of Western prices. Step-by-step visa and residency detail is on the visa pages linked from this page.
What is the best city in Turkey for expats?
The top cities for expats in Turkey profiled on this page are Istanbul, Antalya and İzmir. Ankara is the capital. Each city profile includes typical rent and character to help you compare.