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
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Relocation Guide
Turkey Relocation Timeline (2026)
From decision to settled — a visual, week-by-week guide to your Turkey relocation.
The 3 Most Time-Sensitive Tasks
Vergi numarası — Week 1
Everything depends on this. Bank account, ikamet, utilities. 30 minutes at the tax office. Do not delay.
Read guideBook ikamet appointment — Day 1
Waitlists run 6–10 weeks in major cities. Book online the moment you arrive. The earlier you book, the earlier you get your appointment.
Read guideHealth insurance — before appointment
Must be active before your ikamet appointment. Get a Turkish policy, not a travel policy. Allow 1–2 weeks for it to be issued.
Read guide3–5 months
Typical total timeline
Decision to ikamet card
6–8 weeks
Fastest possible
If appointments are available
Ikamet wait
Biggest bottleneck
Book appointment day 1
Week-by-Week Timeline
Decision + Research
- Choose your target city (or shortlist 2–3)
- Research visa requirements for your nationality
- Build a realistic monthly budget for Turkey
- Get cross-border tax advice
- Visit Turkey scouting if possible
Paperwork Phase
- Get documents apostilled (birth cert, criminal record)
- Source private health insurance quote
- Begin rental contract search remotely
- Notify employer/clients of relocation
- Register departure with home country tax authority
Practical Phase
- Book or confirm shipping / removals
- Change of address notifications at home (bank, subscriptions)
- Final home country tax arrangements
- Confirm Turkish rental contract
- Print all key documents in triplicate
Pre-Arrival
- Print all documents and put in waterproof folder
- Confirm accommodation access details
- Download offline maps and translation apps
- Buy initial Turkish cash (€200–300 equivalent)
- Share arrival details with emergency contact
Arrival Week
- Collect keys and inspect property
- Get Turkish SIM card (airport or city centre)
- Locate nearest supermarket, pharmacy, bank
- Explore your immediate neighbourhood on foot
- Connect to home internet (router setup)
Admin Sprint 1
- Get vergi numarası (tax number) — the #1 priority
- Register phone IMEI (within 30 days)
- Book ikamet appointment online (do this immediately)
- Scout Turkish bank options (Garanti, Yapı Kredi, Ziraat)
Admin Sprint 2
- Open Turkish bank account (bring tax number + passport)
- Register address at local population directorate
- Confirm health insurance is active
- Set up internet direct debit
Ikamet Appointment Booked
- Ikamet online appointment should now be confirmed
- Gather all required documents for appointment
- Get notarised rental contract if not already done
- Confirm health insurance covers required period
Ikamet Appointment
- Attend ikamet appointment at the immigration office
- Submit all documents and biometrics
- Pay the ikamet card fee
- Confirm postal address for card delivery
Receive Ikamet Card
- Receive ikamet card (kimlik) by post
- Check card details carefully — report errors immediately
- Register card details with your bank
- You are now officially a Turkish resident
First Life Review
- Re-assess city choice — still the right place?
- Review monthly budget against actuals
- Connect with expat community (Facebook groups, meetups)
- Begin Turkish language classes if not already
Renewal Countdown Begins
- Set 60-day calendar reminder for ikamet renewal
- Review home country tax obligations (183-day rule)
- Renew health insurance (required for ikamet renewal)
- Consider whether to apply for longer-term permit
Top 5 Reasons Moves Take Longer Than Expected
Apostille documents not ready
Getting criminal records and birth certificates apostilled from home takes 2–6 weeks. Many people underestimate this.
Ikamet appointment waitlists
In busy cities, the appointment system can have 6–10 week waits. This is the single biggest source of timeline delay.
Health insurance policy not accepted
Some cheap policies are rejected at ikamet. Ensure your policy covers Turkey specifically and meets minimum cover requirements.
Rental contract not notarised
A signed rental agreement alone is not enough for ikamet — it must be notarised (noter onaylı). Landlords sometimes refuse or don't understand this.
Tax number delays
Rare, but tax offices occasionally have system issues. Go first thing in the morning on a weekday to minimise waiting time.
Fast-Track: Can You Do It in 2 Weeks?
If you need to be in Turkey quickly, here is what is achievable in 2 weeks vs what must wait:
Achievable in 2 weeks
Turkish SIM card (Day 1)
Tax number / vergi numarası (Week 1)
Bank account opening (Week 2)
Address registration (Week 1–2)
Ikamet appointment booked
Health insurance purchased
Cannot be rushed
Ikamet appointment attendance (waitlist: 6–10 weeks)
Ikamet card receipt (add 4–6 weeks after appointment)
Apostilles from home country (2–6 weeks)
Turkish driving licence conversion
Full bank account functionality (some banks: 2–4 weeks)
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Moving to Turkey Checklist
Full checklist of everything to do before and after moving to Turkey.
Moving to Turkey Guide
Complete guide to relocating to Turkey as an expat.
How to Apply for Ikamet
Step-by-step guide to applying for a Turkish residence permit online.
How to Get a Tax Number in Turkey
Get your vergi numarası — required for banking and residency.
Residence Permit Turkey
How to apply for an ikamet and what documents you need.
Best City in Turkey for Expats
Compare all major expat cities in Turkey to find the right fit.