If you've ever considered moving to sunny Turkey, this article will definitely be useful to you!
We often hear various stories from our clients about their decision to move to Turkey and how they made that decision – and almost always, they only regret one thing: not having made the move sooner. They were afraid (because they weren't well-informed) and postponed their move indefinitely.
Now we want to help you make a decision and share information that we hope will be useful to you!
Let's discuss what you need to consider before moving permanently to Turkey:
1. Getting to Know the Country:
- Evaluate the nature and climate to see if it suits all family members.
- Rent an apartment/house in the city you're considering.
- Check if the local people are friendly (and in Turkey, as you may know, people are very kind and always ready to help with any questions, and they are generally welcoming towards foreigners).
- Spend a few weeks here at different times of the year (summer, winter).
3. Education for Children in Turkey:
- Familiarize yourself with the city where you plan to live.
- Determine where your children will go to school.
- Check which schools and kindergartens are located in the area.
- Consider the educational conditions and the specialties offered by various universities in the area where you plan to live.
4. Work and Business in Turkey:
- Think ahead about how you will generate income. Many people work remotely while living abroad.
- Some people move to Turkey after retirement.
- Others find their desired profession once they are already in Turkey.
5. Healthcare in Turkey:
Turkish healthcare is among the best in Europe. Few would argue that health is the most valuable asset a person has. This is why the Turkish authorities believe that caring for citizens' health should be an absolute priority of state policy. You need to know:
- Which medical facilities will be near your planned place of residence and that you will need to arrange insurance for your entire family.
- It is important to know the cost and what the insurance covers.
6. Residence Permit in Turkey:
If you wish to live in Turkey for more than the allowed visa-free period (each country has its own limits), you have the option to apply for a residence permit (İkamet).
So, let's focus on the last point and discuss what we need to know. First, you need to determine the basis of your stay in Turkey. The options can be:
- Purchasing property in Turkey (you apply for a residence permit as a property owner).
- Tourism (application based on a notarized rental agreement).
- Family (marriage to a Turkish citizen).
- Student, etc.…
Next, understand which documents you will need. Specifically:
- Tax Identification Number (obtained from the tax office).
- 4 photos with a white background.
- Health insurance, valid for at least 1 year.
- Copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months after the residence permit expires), and a notarized translation into Turkish.
- Copy of Tapu (Title Deed) or a copy of the rental agreement.
Having all the necessary documents, you will need to fill out an online application on the website https://e-ikamet.doc.gov.tr/. The system will then automatically provide a date and time available for the interview. If the response is positive, you will receive a temporary document confirming the issuance of the residence permit during the interview (rendezvous). If additional documents are required, you will need to provide them within the specified time.
We hope that our post will be useful to you and bring you closer to your goal. And finally, we would like to quote a French writer:
To discover new lands, one must have the courage to lose sight of the old shores.
André Gide
