Quick Answer
What should you do in your first 30 days in Turkey?
Day 1: Get your tax number online (5 minutes at gib.gov.tr). Days 1–3: Get a SIM card, set up Wise, identify the nearest private hospital. Week 1: Research neighborhoods properly — walk them at different times before renting. Week 2: Start the ikamet application and buy ikamet-grade health insurance. Week 2–3: Sign a lease only after confirming aidat costs and address registration. Week 3–4: Attempt a Turkish bank account, set up utilities, start Turkish lessons.
Days 1–3: Immediate Setup
CriticalOnline at gib.gov.tr — takes 5 minutes with your passport number. This unlocks everything else.
Time: 5–15 minutesVisit a Turkcell, Vodafone, or Türk Telekom store with your passport. A tourist SIM works for 90 days. For long-term SIM registration, you need your residence permit. Get a tourist SIM now; upgrade later.
Time: 30–60 minutesWise lets you hold EUR, GBP, USD and convert to TRY at near mid-market rates. Essential for the months before you have a Turkish bank account. Set up before arriving if possible.
Time: 20 minutesFind the nearest private hospital (hastane) to your accommodation. Note the 24h pharmacist (eczane). You may need these unexpectedly.
Time: 15 minutes (Google Maps)Days 4–7: Housing and Orientation
HighWalk every area you're considering renting in — morning, midday, evening. Check noise, transport, supermarket access, parking. Visit on a weekday and a weekend.
Time: 2–3 daysFind and join the main Facebook groups for your city: 'Expats in Antalya', 'Istanbul Expats', etc. These are the fastest source of current practical advice, recommendations, and warnings.
Time: 1 hourAsk in expat Facebook groups for recommendations. In Konyaaltı, Lara, Fethiye, and Bodrum, there are many agents who speak English and specialise in expat rentals. Get 2–3 recommendations.
Time: 1–2 daysAgain, use expat groups. Someone who knows the local government offices, speaks Turkish, and has done ikamet applications before is worth their weight in gold. Budget €50–100/day for their assistance.
Time: 2–3 days to find and meetWeek 2: Residence Permit Process Initiated
HighGo to e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. Create an account. Choose 'tourist residence permit' (turistik ikamet). Book an appointment — slots go fast; check multiple times per day. Read current documentation requirements from a recent source.
Time: Application: 1–2 hours. Appointment: 1–3 months outYou need annual health insurance that covers the full permit period with no exclusions. Turkish private insurers (e.g., Axa Sigorta, Allianz Sigorta) or approved international providers. Budget €150–350/year for under-60. Buy it now so it's in place when you apply.
Time: 1–2 hours research and purchaseStart collecting: passport + copy, passport photos (biometric), rental contract, health insurance certificate, tax number printout, proof of address. Get any foreign documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate) translated by a sworn translator if required.
Time: 2–4 daysWeek 2–3: Housing Decision
HighOnly sign once you've physically seen the apartment multiple times, verified aidat costs, confirmed the landlord will register your address, and had the lease reviewed by a Turkish speaker. Standard leases are 1 year; negotiate accordingly.
Time: When ready (don't rush)Once you have a signed lease, you need to register your address at the local population registry (nüfus müdürlüğü). Your landlord must accompany you or provide a power of attorney. This registered address is required for your ikamet application.
Time: 1–2 hours at the officeWeek 3–4: Financial and Daily Life Setup
Medium-HighTry Garanti BBVA or HSBC with your tax number and passport. If they require your residence permit (which some branches do), wait until your ikamet is approved. Akbank and İşbank are also options in some cases.
Time: 1–2 hours per bank; may take multiple visitsElectricity (TEDAŞ), gas (IGDAŞ/BURSAGAZ depending on city), and water are separate companies. Each requires an application, often in-person, with your tax number and lease contract.
Time: 2–3 separate visitsFind a local tutor through expat groups or Preply. 2 hours per week makes a difference within 3–4 months. Ask specifically for a 'survival Turkish' curriculum: bureaucracy language, market language, transport.
Time: Find in week 1; start in week 3Find your nearest pazar (open market) — every neighbourhood has one 1–2 days per week. Fresh produce, eggs, olives, and cheese at remarkably low prices. This is where most long-term expats do the majority of their grocery shopping.
Time: Ongoing explorationWhat NOT to Do in Your First 30 Days
Sign a long-term lease in the first week without seeing the area properly
Transfer a large sum of money to Turkey in the first weeks before you have a bank account
Buy the cheapest travel insurance and assume it will work for the ikamet
Skip the address registration at the nüfus müdürlüğü
Try to manage bureaucracy processes alone without a Turkish speaker
Expect your residence permit to arrive within 2 weeks — allow 2–3 months
Ignore the aidat when evaluating apartments — always ask
First Month Budget
The first month is always more expensive than ongoing monthly costs — plan for it.
FAQ
What is the single most important thing to do in the first 30 days in Turkey?
Get your tax number. Everything else — bank accounts, SIM cards, lease signing, ikamet applications — is easier or unlocked by having a vergi numarası. It takes 5 minutes online and is completely free. There is no reason to wait.
Should I sign a lease in the first 30 days?
If possible, spend 2–4 weeks in short-term accommodation first. This lets you properly explore the neighbourhood before committing. If circumstances require signing earlier, only do so after physically seeing the apartment multiple times, asking about aidat, confirming address registration, and having the lease reviewed by a Turkish speaker.
How much money do I need for the first month in Turkey?
Budget €3,000–5,500 for the first month including short-term accommodation, deposit, first month's rent, estate agent commission, health insurance, and daily expenses. The first month is substantially more expensive than ongoing monthly costs. Having 6 months of savings before arriving removes the financial stress from this period.
When should I start the residence permit application?
As soon as you have a registered address — ideally within the first 2 weeks. Your 90-day visa-free entry is ticking from the moment you arrive. The appointment system is backlogged; booking as early as possible improves your chances of getting an appointment before your 90-day window expires.
Essential New Arrival Guides
Bureaucracy in Turkey for Expats
Complete admin setup guide with timelines
Turkish Tax Number Guide
How to get your vergi numarası in 5 minutes
Utilities in Turkey for Expats
Setting up electricity, internet, and phone
How to Pay Bills in Turkey
Direct debit, online, and ATM payment methods
Language Barrier in Turkey
Where English works and survival phrases
Useful Apps in Turkey for Expats
Essential apps for daily life
Residence Permit Turkey
Full ikamet guide
Banking in Turkey
Opening accounts as a new arrival