Moving to Turkey
Complete relocation guide
Moving Checklist
Before & after arrival
Relocation Timeline
Week-by-week what to expect
Cost of Living
Budgets across major cities
Healthcare in Turkey
Insurance, SGK, hospitals
From the UK
From Germany
From the Netherlands
From Belgium
From France
From Sweden
From Norway
From Switzerland
From Austria
From the USA
From Canada
From Australia
From the UAE
Austria to Turkey Relocation Guide 2026
Moving from Austria
to Turkey: Complete Guide
Everything Austrian nationals need to know about relocating to Turkey — Abmeldung, Wegzugsbesteuerung exit tax, ASVG pension abroad, ÖGK health insurance cancellation, the Austria-Turkey DTA, and your Turkish residence permit.
Quick Answer
What do Austrian citizens need to know about moving to Turkey?
Austria's most important departure complexity is the Wegzugsbesteuerung (exit tax) — particularly for business owners holding GmbH shares or significant investment portfolios. Unlike some EU countries, Austria does not defer exit tax for moves to non-EU countries like Turkey. ASVG pension continues abroad. The Austria-Turkey DTA (1973) covers all major income categories.
- ›Abmeldung at the Meldeamt is the essential first step for tax non-residency
- ›Wegzugsbesteuerung exit tax on GmbH shares and investment portfolios — get specialist advice before departure
- ›ÖGK health insurance ends on Abmeldung — arrange Turkish private cover before leaving
- ›ASVG pension paid abroad at full rate — notify PVA before departure
- ›Austrian pensions taxed in Austria under the DTA even after becoming Turkish resident
Bevor du Österreich verlässt
Your Austrian departure checklist.
Austria's exit tax rules make proper pre-departure planning essential — particularly for business owners. Complete these six steps to exit Austrian residency correctly and protect your pension and financial assets.
Abmeldung at the Meldeamt
Deregister (Abmeldung) at your local Meldeamt (registration office) before leaving Austria. In Vienna, this is done via the MA 35 or online at mein.wien.gv.at. You will receive an Abmeldebestätigung confirming your departure. Without a formal Abmeldung, Austrian tax residency may continue — particularly the unlimited tax liability (unbeschränkte Steuerpflicht) under Austrian law. This is the foundational step for all other departures.
Notify the Finanzamt
Inform your local tax office (Finanzamt) of your departure and new Turkish address. You will file a final Austrian income tax return (Einkommensteuererklärung) for the year of departure. Austrian-source income — rental income from Austrian property, Austrian dividends, Austrian pensions — remains taxable in Austria after departure. The Austria-Turkey DTA (1973, updated) determines the ongoing split of taxing rights.
Cancel ÖGK health insurance
Austrian public health insurance (ÖGK — Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) is linked to your Austrian residence and employment. On Abmeldung and departure, your ÖGK entitlement ceases. If you are receiving any ongoing treatments, discuss timing with your GP. Cancel any private supplementary health insurance (Zusatzversicherung) from your departure date. Arrange Turkish private health insurance before leaving — this is required for the Turkish ikamet.
Notify AMS if receiving benefits
If you are receiving any AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice) benefits — unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosengeld), training allowances — these cease on departure from Austria. Notify AMS in writing of your departure date. Austrians who have been receiving emergency assistance (Notstandshilfe) should also notify the relevant bodies. Collect any final entitlements before departure.
Austrian exit tax: Wegzugsbesteuerung
Austria has an exit tax (Wegzugsbesteuerung) that taxes unrealised capital gains on certain assets at departure. The most important category: shareholdings in Austrian companies (GmbH shares, corporate participations). Private investment portfolios (shares, funds) may also trigger a deemed disposal CGT. Business owners with Austrian GmbH shares must get specialist advice BEFORE departure — the exit tax exposure can be substantial. This is Austria's most complex departure tax issue.
ASVG pension and banking
Contact the PVA (Pensionsversicherungsanstalt) to register your Turkish address for ASVG pension payments. Austrian state pensions are paid abroad without restriction or freeze. For banking: Erste Bank and Raiffeisen may close non-resident accounts. Bank Austria (UniCredit) and N26 tend to be more flexible for expats. Wise recommended for EUR-TRY transfers. Keep one Austrian account for Finanzamt correspondence and pension receipt.
Pre-departure checklist
Full checklist for Austrian nationals.
Austria's exit tax regime and ÖGK health insurance system require careful management. Business owners must get specialist advice on Wegzugsbesteuerung before setting a departure date.
Steuer & Finanzen
Austria-Turkey DTA & exit tax planning.
The Austria-Turkey double taxation convention (1973, updated) prevents double taxation across all major income types. Austrian-source income retains Austrian taxation: pensions are taxed in Austria, rental income from Austrian property is taxed in Austria, dividends from Austrian companies face Austrian withholding tax (capped under the DTA).
The Wegzugsbesteuerung is Austria's exit tax on unrealised gains at departure. It is triggered by ceasing Austrian tax residency and applies primarily to shareholdings in Austrian and foreign companies, as well as portfolio investments. Unlike moves to EU countries (where deferral is available), moves to Turkey result in immediate tax liability.
The ASVG pension continues uninterrupted after departure — notify the PVA at least 3 months before you plan to leave to ensure smooth payment transfer to your Turkish bank account.
Austria-Turkey DTA (1973, updated)
Comprehensive tax treaty. Austrian pensions taxed in Austria. Dividends from Austrian companies: Austrian withholding reduced under DTA. Employment income of Turkish residents taxed in Turkey.
Wegzugsbesteuerung (exit tax)
Taxed on unrealised gains of corporate participations and investments at departure. Payable in full for moves to non-EU countries like Turkey. Critical issue for GmbH shareholders and investors.
ASVG pension abroad
Austrian state pension (ASVG) paid abroad at full rate. PVA processes international payments. Taxed in Austria under the DTA — Austrian income tax still applies to pension income.
Austrian banking
Erste Bank and Raiffeisen may close non-resident accounts. Bank Austria (UniCredit) and N26 more flexible. Keep one account for Finanzamt and PVA correspondence.
Wo lassen sich Österreicher nieder?
Best Turkish cities for Austrian expats.
Antalya
Antalya is the most accessible Turkish city for Austrians, with direct flights from Vienna and Salzburg. The large German-speaking expat community makes the transition seamless — German-language services, doctors, and social clubs are well established.
Istanbul
Istanbul appeals to Austrian professionals and business owners. The city's international business environment, rich cultural life, and cosmopolitan character make it Turkey's most sophisticated destination for career-focused expats.
Bodrum
Bodrum's combination of Aegean scenery, luxury property, and an international social scene appeals to Austrian retirees and affluent expats. Quality restaurants, sailing, and a quieter pace attract those leaving Vienna for lifestyle reasons.
Häufig gestellte Fragen