Thanks to a relatively favourable exchange rate and cost of living, rich culture and history and the mixture of eastern and western culture, many people are choosing to move to Turkey. When they do, the destination they’re most likely to want to be in is Istanbul. 

The city of Istanbul has existed, under various names, since the 7^th century BC, and it is home to over 15 million people – which makes it one of the largest cities in Europe. 

Istanbul is a city that is ancient and modern, familiar, and exotic, and here’s what you need to know about living as an expat in Istanbul. 

Moving to Istanbul

There are several ways to move to Istanbul. Some people arrive on a short-term visitor visa and extend it to a full year of tourist residency. Others come on a work or study permit, and some choose the so called “golden visa” option of immigration by investment. 

As you would expect from any immigration process, there’s a lot of paperwork to be done, and you need to meet the criteria set by Turkish immigration. However, the process is relatively short and easy to complete, and you can usually be in Turkey in a matter of months once you’ve decided to make the move. 

When it comes to moving to any country for an extended period of time, the best advice is to travel light. You might be tempted to take your household items along with you, but usually, it costs a lot more to do that than simply to purchase them in your new country. So you should try to bring your clothing, computers, and cell phones and little else. If you eventually make the move permanent, you can always bring your stuff over at a later date, if you still need to. 

Lifestyle in Istanbul

Most people who move to Istanbul do so at least in part because of the lifestyle. There are many digital nomads and travellers who spend extended periods of time in Turkey. Many people also come to Turkey for the business opportunities, and there’s a large expat community in most big cities. Istanbul, being the capital and largest city, is definitely a popular place to put down roots. 

Pros

Like every city, there are pros and cons to living in Istanbul. We’re going to start with the positive things you can expect to find there. 

Rich Culture

As you can imagine, a city that has over 2,000 years of history and straddles the border between Europe and Asia has a very rich culture. Living as an expat in Istanbul gives you a lot of opportunities to explore that culture. 

Be sure to visit the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Hippodrome of Constantinople. However, while those may be the big tourist attractions, they are by no means the only ones. You can find museums, monuments, festivals, and cultural events throughout the city, and it’s easy to find something new and interesting to see and do every day. 

Delicious Cuisine

Turkish food reflects the countries position between Europe and Asia. Many dishes are similar to what you might find in Greece, and you can expect mezze, seafood, hummus and olives aplenty. There are also many dishes that come from the middle eastern culture, and some, like the famous “Turkish delight” that are all about this amazing country. 

Istanbul is a major international city, and you will also find many world class restaurants here. In fact, there are currently eight Michelin starred restaurants in the city. You can also find all the usual big international food chains here, alongside an abundance of street food.

Whether you love immersing yourself in local cuisine or are looking for sushi, fine dining, or something else, you can find it all, and more in Istanbul. 

Nice Weather

Istanbul is never what you might call cold by western European standards, but it does have distinct seasons, so it’s not scorching hot all year round either. 

You will probably never experience any temperature below 5 degrees Celsius in Istanbul, and it usually doesn’t get hotter than about 30 degrees Celsius. The city is also located between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, so you get the tempering influence of ocean breezes too. 

Pet Friendly City

Turkey is very much a pet friendly country, and Istanbul is no different. Dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals are kept as pets here, and they are welcome in a variety of public places. Many hotels and public spaces allow dogs, and there are dog parks located throughout the city. 

If you are travelling with your pet to Istanbul, be sure to familiarize yourself with the immigration requirements for animals. They will need to have all the necessary vaccinations and meet all other requirements. 

Nightlife and activities

Istanbul is a city that never sleeps and hardly slows down. 

There are restaurants, bars, and clubs aplenty, so you can enjoy time out with friends at night. During the day there are beaches, yacht trips, museums, and palaces to explore. 

Istanbul also has several botanical gardens, including Ataturk Arboretum, Fidan Botanic Garden and Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanical Garden. So if you’re just looking for a peaceful walk in the park, you can find that too. 

Art

Turkey loves art, and Istanbul is the heart of the Turkish art scene. Here you will find everything from the ancient masterpieces on churches, mosques, and palace walls to modern, contemporary art in the city’s museums. 

Contemporary Istanbul is one of the many art festivals that happen in the city, and there are many world class galleries in the city. There’s also Istanbul Modern, Borusan Contemporary, Great Palace Mosaics Museum and many others if you just want to view art instead of buying it. One thing is for sure: living in Istanbul as an expat is a very arty experience! 

Cons

Unfortunately, even the best places to live have a few drawbacks. Living in Istanbul is great most of the time, but there are a few negative aspects to consider. 

Crowded City

Over 15 million people call Istanbul home. So it’s understandable that the city is a little crowded. If you love hustle and bustle, that won’t be a problem, but if you prefer peace and quiet, you might want to find a quieter location to make your base, and just visit the city when you feel like it. 

Bad Traffic

Lots of people mean lots of cars! Istanbul is known for bad traffic. However, there is also a very good public transport system, so you don’t have to brave the streets yourself if you’d rather not. It’s perfectly possible to get around by walking or using transit. 

Taxi drivers in Istanbul also have a reputation for trying to short-change their customers more than they might elsewhere. Fortunately, Uber and a few local alternatives also work here, so you do have options. 

Working in Istanbul

If you plan to work in Istanbul, you need to make sure you have the right kind of residency permit. You won’t be able to work if you are on a tourist visa, so you will need to get a work permit. Some people who are on study permits can also work in the country. 

Business Opportunities (pros+)

There are lots of people that live in Istanbul, and there’s a demand for nearly everything you can think of. Whether you offer services or sell products, you will almost certainly find a market for it when you are living as an expat in Istanbul. 

Challenging Environment (Con-)

In order to ensure that the local population has access to jobs, you are limited in which jobs you can do as an expat living in Istanbul. You might not be able to do the trade that you are trained in, and most people find that they do a “survival job” instead. Many people also find that there’s a huge demand for English speaking people in tourism and to teach English as a second language. 

Cost of Living in Istanbul

Living as an expat in Istanbul is actually very affordable. The table below is based on prices in Turkish Lira, but it’s important to note that one Lira is only 0.066 Euros – so you should do the conversion to see what you might pay in your home currency. 

Studying in Istanbul

It’s also worth remembering that like other major cities, the closer you live to the heart of the “action” the more you are likely to pay. Moving a little outside of the centre of the city can save you a lot of money on everything from accommodation to groceries – although you will pay more for transport to see all the sights. 

Many people who are living as an expat in Istanbul are also studying while they are there. Some are in tertiary programs, but there are many children of expats in primary and secondary school too. 

High Quality of Education

Turkey generally has a very high quality of education, and while most public schools are offered in Turkish (which might not be ideal for international students) there are several high-quality international schools too. 

International schools offer tuition in English and are based on the same kind of curriculum you might find in Europe – so it’s easier for kids to adapt to their new way of studying. 

High Tuition of private schools

While it’s fantastic that there are international schools on offer for students who don’t speak Turkish, it’s worth noting that they are not cheap. State schooling, on the other hand are free for residents of Turkey. So if that ever becomes an option and you want your children to experience a more immersive Turkish education, that might be an idea. 

Healthcare in Istanbul

Healthcare in Istanbul is excellent, and there’s a wide network of hospitals, clinics, doctors, and dentists to serve your needs. There is universal healthcare for citizens and permanent residents in Turkey too – but if you are on a tourist visa and not working and paying taxes, you won’t be able to access the social healthcare system for free. 

The public health system generally only covers medically necessary treatments, and if you want any elective procedures or treatment, you will have to pay out of pocket. 

Expat health insurance

If you are living as an expat in Istanbul and you are not covered by the public health system, you will need to have health insurance. The cost for this kind of insurance can vary greatly, and usually depends on your health condition, age, and other factors. 

FAQ

Is it safe to live in Istanbul as an expat?

Completely. Istanbul is a progressive modern city with fantastic amenities and public services. You can expect to have a standard of living similar to what you would expect in any large European city. 

Is English widely spoken?

Not really. Bigger companies, hotels and similar in Turkey do have staff that speak English, but it’s not as common in many other big cities in the area. You should probably try to learn a few basic Turkish phrases before you land in the country if you want to get around easier. 

Is the experience the same in all parts of Istanbul?

No. Istanbul is split down the middle by the Bosporus River. On the European side of the city, life is more like living in Europe. On the Asian side, it’s more exotic. You can choose to live on either side, and of course you can visit both sites whenever you like. 

How long does it take to get a residency permit for Turkey?

It depends on what kind of permit you want. If you are simply converting a tourist visa to a long stay tourist permit, you might only wait a couple of weeks. If you want to work, study, or move to Turkey permanently, the process is longer, and can take several months. 

Can I find out more before I decide?

It’s always a good idea to visit a country or city as a tourist before you decide to move there for a longer period. Citizens of many countries can visit Turkey visa free for up to 90 days, so you can always take a trip to the country and explore the city before you make a decision.

What are the people of Turkey like?

In general, the people in Turkey are friendly and welcoming to foreigners – but they can be a little louder and more invasive than you might be used to. Try to remember that what we might consider “nosy” in the west is just how Turkish people are, and don’t be offended if you get a few questions, you might think are a little too personal! 

Contact Us

Whether you want to visit Turkey as a tourist, student or worker or apply for a permanent resident permit through the golden visa program, there are many steps involved in moving to another country. 

Smart Citizenship has been helping people to explore their options for many years, and we are up to date with all the latest processes and requirements. Our team is happy to answer questions and provide assistance if needed. Contact us to find out more about living as an expat in Istanbul, and how you can make Turkey your new home.