English
aerial view of buildings and flying birds

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Turkey

aerial view of buildings and flying birds

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Turkey

aerial view of buildings and flying birds

A GUIDE FOR Moving TO

Turkey

GUIDE FOR

Moving to Turkey? Here is what you need to know

Moving to Turkey? Here is what you need to know

Turkey has become an increasingly popular destination for expats, retirees, and digital nomads thanks to its warm climate, affordable lifestyle, rich culture, and strategic location between Europe and Asia. With stunning coastlines, vibrant cities, and a welcoming atmosphere, Turkey offers an exceptional quality of life for newcomers. Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on Mediterranean beaches, exploring ancient ruins, or enjoying Istanbul’s bustling urban energy, Turkey has something for everyone.

To make your transition smooth, it’s important to understand the country’s culture, work environment, practical logistics, and relocation costs.
This guide provides an overview of Turkey, including culture, work life, language basics, and essential tips for moving.

How much does it cost to move to Turkey ?

Moving to Turkey can vary significantly in cost depending on your origin country, shipment volume, and transport method. Below are typical 2025 price ranges to help you plan your relocation budget.

Average moving costs by region of origin

  • From within Europe: €1,500 – €4,500

  • From the UK: €2,000 – €5,000

  • From North America (USA/Canada): €4,500 – €9,000

  • From the Middle East: €2,500 – €5,500

  • From Asia: €5,000 – €10,000

  • From Oceania: €5,000 – €11,000

  • From Latin America: €6,000 – €12,000

Costs change depending on the size of your shipment, whether you choose shared container (groupage) or full container service, and add-ons such as packing, customs handling, insurance, or storage.

Factors that influence your moving cost

  • Distance and country of origin

  • Volume of belongings (m³)

  • Transport method:

    • Sea freight – more economical

    • Air freight – faster but more expensive

  • Seasonality: higher demand in spring and summer

  • Additional services: packing, customs assistance, insurance, vehicle transport, pet relocation, temporary storage

A Glimpse into Turkey

Geography and climate

Turkey sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offering an incredibly diverse landscape—from the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts to the volcanic terrain of Cappadocia and the snow-capped mountains in the east.

Climate varies across regions:

  • Mediterranean & Aegean coasts: hot, dry summers and mild winters

  • Central Anatolia: continental climate with hot summers, cold winters

  • Black Sea region: lush, green, and rainy year-round

  • Eastern Turkey: harsh winters, cooler summers

With so many climate zones, Turkey offers environments to suit every preference.

A snapshot of history

Turkey’s history spans thousands of years and is shaped by iconic civilizations, empires, and cultural influences.

Key historical highlights:

  • Ancient Anatolia: home to Hittites, Romans, and Byzantines

  • Ottoman Empire (1299–1922): one of history’s longest-lasting and most influential empires

  • Republic of Turkey (established 1923): founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who modernized the nation

  • Modern Turkey: a dynamic mix of tradition and modernity, with bustling cities and preserved historical sites

From the Hagia Sophia to Ephesus and Cappadocia’s cave dwellings, the country’s layered past is visible everywhere, making daily life feel like a journey through history.

Diving into Turkish culture

Turkish culture is warm, social, and deeply rooted in hospitality. Relationships, traditions, and community are at the heart of everyday life.

Food and drink

Turkish cuisine is rich, diverse, and incredibly flavourful. Some iconic dishes include:

  • Kebabs & döner

  • Meze (small shared appetizers)

  • Baklava & Turkish delight

  • Menemen (Turkish-style scrambled eggs)

  • Simit (sesame bread rings)

  • Çay (Turkish tea) served all day

Sharing meals is an important cultural ritual, and guests are always warmly welcomed.

Festivals

Turkey celebrates a wide range of festivals, from cultural to religious to modern arts events:

  • Republic Day (29 October)

  • Ramadan & Eid festivals

  • Istanbul Film Festival

  • International Antalya Sand Sculpture Festival

  • Whirling Dervish ceremonies

These celebrations highlight the country’s vibrant energy and strong traditions.

Lifestyle and social norms

Turkey values community, hospitality, and respect. Some lifestyle elements include:

  • Warm social culture: people are friendly and eager to help newcomers

  • Tea culture: offering tea is a sign of kindness and connection

  • Family orientation: family ties are strong and central to daily life

  • Relaxed pace in many regions: coastal and rural areas enjoy a slower, more Mediterranean lifestyle

  • Modern yet traditional cities: Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir blend cosmopolitan living with heritage

Understanding these cultural norms will help you integrate smoothly.

Working in Turkey

Turkey’s work culture varies by industry but generally blends professionalism with strong interpersonal relationships.

Business culture

  • Personal connections matter, networking is important

  • Hierarchy and respect play key roles

  • Meetings often start with casual conversation

  • Punctuality is valued, especially in corporate settings

Job opportunities for expats

  • Education (English teaching)

  • Tourism & hospitality

  • Engineering

  • IT & technology

  • International trade

  • Real estate and property services

Turkey is also becoming more popular among digital nomads, particularly in cities like Istanbul and coastal hubs such as Antalya and Izmir.

Türkçe (Turkish) made simple

Learning basic Turkish will greatly improve your experience, even though many urban residents speak some English.

Common Turkish phrases

English

Turkish

Hello

Merhaba

Goodbye

Hoşça kal / Güle güle

Thank you

Teşekkür ederim

Please

Lütfen

How are you?

Nasılsın?

I don’t understand

Anlamıyorum

Where is the nearest…?

En yakın … nerede?

Can you help me?

Bana yardım edebilir misiniz?

How much does this cost?

Bu ne kadar?

Do you speak English?

İngilizce biliyor musunuz?

Even simple phrases can make daily interactions much smoother.

Final thoughts

Turkey offers an incredible blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, warm hospitality, and affordable living. Whether you're seeking coastal relaxation, vibrant city life, or historical exploration, Turkey has something special to offer every newcomer.

Immerse yourself in its culture, enjoy its welcoming communities, and discover why so many people are choosing to call Turkey home.

Türkiye’ye hoş geldiniz! (Welcome to Turkey!)

Sponsors

A + International

A + International

A + International

APRIL International is a global leader in international health insurance, providing coverage to over 150,000 policyholders worldwide in both their professional and personal lives. Our mission is to make healthcare easily accessible, no matter where you are.

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Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience Recruitment

Abroad Experience specializes in connecting international professionals with exciting career opportunities in the Netherlands. With a focus on multilingual job seekers, we help candidates find roles that align with their skills, ambitions, and background.

From recent graduates to experienced professionals, we provide guidance throughout the recruitment process, offering job placements in fields such as customer service, finance, marketing, and more. Our goal is to make international job transitions seamless, ensuring candidates find the right opportunities while supporting them every step of the way.

It is of utmost importance to us that we offer a high level of service and build strong and trusting relationships with clients and candidates. As an international agency, we are devoted to international professionals in order to help them succeed on the Dutch labor market. As part of our recruitment services we can provide you with feedback on your CV & interview preparation sessions.

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote Ltd

ActiveQuote is a leading comparison platform for health insurance, providing an easy way for individuals and businesses to compare health plans from a wide range of providers. With a focus on transparency, ActiveQuote helps customers find the best insurance coverage that suits their needs and budget, whether for personal or family health insurance, or for small businesses looking to provide benefits to employees.

By simplifying the process of comparing and purchasing health insurance, ActiveQuote offers a personalized experience, ensuring customers make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. With a commitment to excellent customer service and competitive pricing, ActiveQuote is dedicated to helping you secure the right health insurance coverage for your circumstances.

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading global health insurance company providing a wide range of health plans and services for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence in both the United States and internationally, Aetna focuses on improving health outcomes by offering affordable and accessible healthcare coverage.

Aetna provides a comprehensive range of products, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as health management programs designed to support customers in leading healthier lives. With an emphasis on innovation and customer care, Aetna aims to deliver high-quality healthcare solutions that meet the needs of diverse populations worldwide.

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Agato Visa & Immigration

Our life is full of metaphors; sometimes we don’t even notice them. However, if you look at today’s world through such a metaphorical lens, you understand why it can be compared to the river. It is dynamic, it is fast moving, every day it gets filled with new streams of ideas, tendencies, and innovations. Then, we can consider different organizations as banks of that river. They all have their traditions, cultural colors, and shades. That’s why there must be something to connect these banks, to make them united by common desires, ideas, business, strategies, language, etc. Therefore, our company come to serve as the bridge for that; we can build a connection between people, business organizations and various establishments. This singular belief makes ourselves and our clients’ products/services and international brand distinguishable amongst all of the rest.

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

Aims Immigration & Relocation Specialist

AIMS is a leading immigration and relocation consultancy based in Singapore, specializing in visa and residency solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. With a strong presence across Asia, AIMS provides expert guidance on immigration programs, investment migration, and global mobility solutions.

From securing work permits and permanent residency to facilitating business expansion through investor visas, AIMS offers personalized services to help clients navigate complex immigration processes. With a commitment to professionalism and efficiency, AIMS ensures a smooth transition for those looking to live, work, or invest abroad.

April International

April International

April International

Global Health Insurance, 100% Online – Anytime, Anywhere!

Whether you're an expatriate, student, frequent traveler, au pair, or business, we offer flexible insurance solutions for anyone traveling abroad. From registration to reimbursement, we make it easy to manage your health needs worldwide!

As a global leader in international health insurance, APRIL International provides comprehensive coverage for individuals, families, and businesses. Specializing in expatriate insurance, we offer tailored health plans that ensure access to quality healthcare—whether for short-term trips, long-term stays, or corporate needs.

With a strong focus on innovation, digital services, and customer support, APRIL International simplifies international health coverage, giving you peace of mind wherever you are. Our commitment to accessibility and personalized service makes us a trusted partner for those living, working, or traveling abroad.

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners

Apt Wealth Partners is a trusted financial advisory firm based in Australia, providing expert wealth management, financial planning, and investment solutions. With a client-first approach, we help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals through tailored strategies and long-term planning.

From retirement planning and superannuation to tax-effective investment solutions, Apt Wealth Partners offers comprehensive financial guidance designed to build and protect wealth. Our focus is on delivering financial advice that allows us to become your personal CFO. Your finances will be tailored to your needs, allowing you to concentrate on living the life you want. We're privately owned and focus on providing the most transparent advice possible.

AvD

AvD

AvD

The AvD is the most traditional automobile club in Germany. Many things that are taken for granted today has been actively promoted and shaped by the AvD. To this day, the AvD is associated with the driver's license, the zebra crossing, the IAA and successful petitions, among other things. The AvD is committed to road safety, Motorsport and the preservation of historic vehicles. Today and in the future.

AXA PPP International

AXA PPP International

AXA PPP International

We’re AXA – Global Healthcare, and we’re experts when it comes to healthcare around the world. We use AXA’s resources around the world to help our members access quality medical care whenever they need it. We do that by matching them up with international health insurance that suits them, and by keeping them supported before, during and after treatment.

We help our members to live life to the fullest, knowing we’ll be here to help if they need us.

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