Moving to Turkey and residency

So you’ve bought your property and are ready to take the plunge to live in another country.

Before you make the big move to Turkey, get your legal and financial affairs in order. This includes informing your bank of your impending move and making sure your pension can be transferred to your Turkish account. If you own a property in your home country, you should ask a friend or relative to look after it while you are away. Also, all bills can be paid online, so you do not have to worry about missing payments. By taking care of these details before you leave, you can ensure that your transition to living in Turkey goes as smoothly as possible.

Once you have taken care of all of that, all that's left to do is pack your bags. Some people want to bring their furniture with them from the UK to Turkey, but this is a costly affair and can result in your furniture getting stuck in customs for months. It is much easier and cheaper to buy all your furniture here. Plus, it's a great opportunity to start fresh and get rid of old, unwanted furniture. So, once you have sorted out the practicalities of your move, all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy your new life in Turkey.

Learn Turkish

Many people have good intentions of learning Turkish. However, they often get discouraged because they do not progress as quickly as they would like. The truth is that the locals in many resorts speak English and you can get by without knowing any of the language. Nevertheless, if you try to learn a word every day, you will be better able to communicate and make friends with non-English speaking neighbours and friends. Learning any language takes time, effort and patience. It's important to have realistic expectations and not give up if you do not see results right away. It is also important to find a learning method that works for you. Some people learn best in a classroom, while others prefer to learn on their own using grammar books or online courses. Whichever method you choose, stick with it and you will eventually see results.

To know more about learning Turkish for Free

Health Insurance and Residency

According to Turkish law, foreigners who wish to stay in the country for more than 90 out of 180 days must apply for a residence permit. Although the process to apply for a residence permit can be done online through the official government website, it may seem daunting at first. Depending on your personal situation, the system will tell you what documents you need to submit and how much you will pay. You will also need to have health insurance or be eligible for the government SBC system. However, certain companies can help you with the application process. Even though the procedure for obtaining a residence permit may seem complicated at first glance, there are many ways to get assistance.

Read More about healthcare in Turkey

Entering Turkey by car and driving

Any foreigner who wants to take his car to Turkey must follow some simple rules. First, the car is only allowed to stay in the country for six months before it must be taken out of the country for another six months. This can be a problem for some people, which is why many expats prefer to just buy a cheap car when they move here. Secondly, you can only drive with a foreign licence for six months before you have to apply for a Turkish one. To do so, you must provide proof of training. These rules were introduced in early 2016, and authorities and expats still need to get used to them. However, many expats simply use public transportation because it is cheap and convenient.