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Expat Population
Where Do Most Expats
Live in Turkey?
Turkey is home to hundreds of thousands of Western expats, retirees, and remote workers. Here's how the expat population breaks down by city — with nationality breakdowns and why each city attracts foreigners.
Quick Answer
Which Turkish city has the most expats?
Istanbul has by far the most expats in absolute numbers (200,000+). Antalya has the most expats on the Mediterranean coast (80,000–100,000). Fethiye has the highest concentration of British expats relative to its size. Alanya has the largest Scandinavian expat community.
- ›Istanbul: 200,000+ — most diverse, largest in absolute numbers
- ›Antalya: 80,000–100,000 — largest Mediterranean coast expat population
- ›Alanya: 20,000–30,000 — Scandinavian and Northern European hub
- ›Fethiye: 10,000–15,000 — British community heartland
Istanbul
~200,000+
foreign residents
~180,000 registered foreigners
Istanbul has by far the largest expat population in Turkey — and one of the largest in Europe. The city's size, economic importance, and international connectivity draw professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, and refugees from across the world. Western expats cluster in Beşiktaş, Kadıköy, Beyoğlu, and Şişli. Russian and post-Soviet communities are large in Şişli and Beyoğlu.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
Business, finance, tech, culture, gateway city, lifestyle diversity
Antalya
~80,000–100,000
foreign residents
~90,000 registered foreigners
Antalya is Turkey's second-largest expat city and the largest expat destination on the Mediterranean coast. The city's combination of Mediterranean climate, beaches, good healthcare, and direct flights to European cities makes it attractive to retirees and remote workers from across Northern and Western Europe. Russian and post-Soviet nationals form the largest single group.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
Retirement, beach lifestyle, property investment, remote work base
Fethiye
~10,000–15,000
foreign residents
~12,000 registered foreigners
Fethiye punches above its weight in expat popularity relative to its size. The British expat community is one of the most concentrated in Turkey — Fethiye, Hisarönü, and Ölüdeniz areas are genuinely dominated by British culture in terms of restaurants, pubs, services, and community events. Many British expats have lived here for 10–20+ years.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
British retirement destination, lifestyle migration, sailing community
Alanya
~20,000–30,000
foreign residents
~25,000 registered foreigners
Alanya has one of Turkey's highest concentrations of Scandinavian expats — the Norwegian community in particular is enormous and well-established, with its own community organisations and Norwegian-language services. The German and Dutch communities are also large. Alanya's low cost and warm climate made it a Northern European retirement favourite from the 1990s onward.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
Northern European retirement migration, property investment, low cost of living
Bodrum
~10,000–15,000
foreign residents
~12,000 registered foreigners
Bodrum attracts a different demographic — wealthier, more international, and more seasonal. The summer population of foreign residents and part-time residents is much larger than the year-round figure. British and European retirees, Gulf Arab holiday home owners, and Western professionals seeking a premium lifestyle all contribute to Bodrum's cosmopolitan character.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
Premium lifestyle, luxury property, Marina culture, high-net-worth retirees
Izmir
~15,000–25,000
foreign residents
~20,000 registered foreigners
Izmir's expat community is shaped significantly by the presence of the NATO Air Base at İncirlik-adjacent Izmir Air Base (İzmir/Konak) and the Aegean Army Command. American military families form a large component. Beyond military, Izmir's liberal, cosmopolitan atmosphere attracts European professionals, academics, and retirees who prefer city living to beach resorts.
Top nationalities
Why expats choose it
NATO military base, liberal city life, university, professionals, Aegean access
Frequently Asked Questions
How many foreigners live in Turkey?
As of 2024, Turkey has approximately 4–5 million registered foreign residents, but the true figure including unregistered and long-term visitors is much higher. The largest groups are Syrian refugees (3.5 million+), Afghans, and Iranians. Among Western expats (European, American, Australian), the total is approximately 300,000–500,000.
Where do British expats live in Turkey?
British expats are most concentrated in Fethiye (the largest British community relative to city size), Antalya, Alanya, Bodrum, Marmaris, and Didim. Fethiye is considered the "British heartland" of Turkey. Istanbul also has a significant professional British community.
Where do Russian expats live in Turkey?
Russian nationals form one of Turkey's largest expat groups and are spread across Istanbul, Antalya, and Alanya. There are significant Russian-speaking communities in Istanbul's Şişli district, along Antalya's Konyaaltı coast, and in Alanya. Migration from Russia increased significantly after 2022.
Do expats need to register in Turkey?
Expats planning to stay more than 90 days should apply for a residence permit (ikamet). Registration at the nearest Göç İdaresi (immigration office) is required. Longer-term residents are also required to register with the population directorate (Nüfus Müdürlüğü). Many short-stay tourists and digital nomads on 90-day e-visas remain unregistered.
Explore expat cities
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Living in Antalya
Antalya expat guide
Living in Fethiye
Fethiye expat guide
Residence Permit Turkey
How to register as a resident