{"id":5887,"date":"2020-10-07T08:35:26","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T07:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/?p=5887"},"modified":"2025-12-15T13:28:52","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T13:28:52","slug":"moving-to-turkey-from-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving From the UK to Turkey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/istanbul-turkey.jpg\" alt=\"The facinating Istanbul in Turkey\" class=\"wp-image-8091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/istanbul-turkey.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/istanbul-turkey-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/istanbul-turkey-768x449.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Istanbul, Turkey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Capital City:<\/b> Ankara<br><b>Population:<\/b> 83.15 million (as of 2019)<br><b>Official language:<\/b> Turkish<br><b>Commonly spoken languages:<\/b> Turkish (90%), Kurdish (6%), Arabic (1.2%)<br><b>Currency:<\/b> Turkish Lira (\u20ba)<br><b>Exchange rate to pound:<\/b>  1\u00a3 = 9.6\u20ba <br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are considering Turkey to be your new home or have already decided to move to this culturally rich country, then this post is for you. The country where the East meets the West and traditions are tightly intertwined with the modern lives of Turks. The sheer diversity within the country is one of the main reasons why the destination is quite popular among British expatriates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if you want to find out more about Turkey, keep on reading. And if you want to get information on living expenses, check out our guide about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/cost-of-living-in-turkey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">cost of living in Turkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f528e24bed3\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f528e24bed3\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Where_to_live_in_Turkey\" >Where to live in Turkey?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Istanbul\" >Istanbul<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Ankara\" >Ankara<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Izmir\" >Izmir<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#How_to_become_a_resident\" >How to become a resident<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Working_in_Turkey\" >Working in Turkey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Transportation_in_Turkey\" >Transportation in Turkey<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Driving_your_own_car_in_Turkey\" >Driving your own car in Turkey<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Education_in_Turkey\" >Education in Turkey<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Being_a_student_in_Turkey\" >Being a student in Turkey<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Healthcare_in_Turkey\" >Healthcare in Turkey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-turkey-from-uk\/#Takeaways\" >Takeaways<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_to_live_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Where to live in Turkey?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At least 34,000 Brits have chosen Turkey as their second home for various reasons. Depending on your lifestyle and occupation, you might consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/best-places-to-live-in-turkey\/\">choosing between these cities<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Istanbul\"><\/span>Istanbul<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The largest city in Turkey is considered to be both the economical and cultural capital of the country. So far, Istanbul has the highest number of expats. The diversity of both academic and language schools makes it one of the best options for students. Whereas, a fast-developing business sector attracts professionals from all around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ankara\"><\/span>Ankara<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The capital of Turkey. Even though the expats most likely choose Istanbul over Ankara, those living in this city are connected to diplomatic embassies and schools. Moreover, the most respectable universities are located in Ankara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Izmir\"><\/span>Izmir<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The city is popular among those who wish to work. Known for a Konak district, the city offers a diverse range of professional opportunities. The coastal area can also become the perfect place for those, who wish to have a more relaxed way of living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_become_a_resident\"><\/span>How to become a resident<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>British citizens who are travelling for tourist and business purposes can stay on the territory of the country for up to 90 days with a short-term visa. If you plan to stay for a longer period then, you have to apply for a long-term visa or residence permit, depending on your reasons to stay. Here are the types of visas that British citizens can obtain:<\/p>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-red-check\">\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i><strong>Student\/education visa<\/strong><br \/>If you are planning to get a higher education, go on an internship or learn the language, then you have to apply for a long-stay visa or apply for a residence permit<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i><strong>Work permit<\/strong><br \/>If you wish to work in Turkey, you have to make sure that you have eligible reasons to stay, meaning having a work permit. The work permit serves as a substitution for a residence permit<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i><strong>Family residence permit<\/strong><br \/>Given to foreigners who have a Turkish spouse and foreign children of their spouse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to request a visa, you have to contact <a href=\"https:\/\/www.konsolosluk.gov.tr\/Procedure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the Turkish Consulate General<\/a> and make an appointment. You can as well find useful information on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/foreign-travel-advice\/turkey\/entry-requirements\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GOV.UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Working_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Working in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the last several years, the Turkish economy has been experiencing consistent growth. Along with the textile industry, the agriculture industry has been a major contributor to the country\u2019s economy. Other sectors that are full of job opportunities for foreigners are tourism and electronic sectors, therefore if your qualification allows, you might consider applying for a position in those fields. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to know that obtaining a work permit in Turkey is quite hard, however, professionals in the fields of medicine, engineering and IT are in demand. Native speakers also have a chance of finding a job as an English teacher or one in another foreign language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for a work permit, you have to contact your nearest consulate and make an appointment. In the UK those are located in London and Edinburgh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the law, employees in Turkey are obliged to pay out a part of their earnings as a part of the Social Security System (Sosyal G\u00fcvenlik Kurumu, SGK). However, due to the Social Security agreements between the UK and Turkey, UK citizens who are contributing to the National Insurance have a right to abstain from the SGK contribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Transportation_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Transportation in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you chose Turkey as your new living place, then you can enjoy the comprehensive transportation system in the country. The public transport system is quite developed and affordable. Depending on how quickly you want to travel, you can choose between local buses, minibuses (dolmus) or taxis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those living in larger cities can use the metro or overground trams. It is important to know that some types of transport, like the metro and buses, use smart ticket systems and cash payments are not possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Driving_your_own_car_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Driving your own car in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To drive your own car in Turkey you have to have a valid international driving permit. Another option is to get a notarised copy of your foreign driving licence but the notarised copy should be in Turkish. If you have a valid residence permit and want to drive your own car, then you need to know that it is allowed to keep your car in the country for 2 years. However, after that, your car will have to leave the country for at least 186 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Education_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Education in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want your children to study in a Turkish public school, then you need to know that they are free of charge for both citizens and foreigners. Private schools fees vary from school to school. It is worth mentioning that the majority of foreigners prefer to choose international private schools due to the British, French and German curriculums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, private schools offer a higher level of foreign language education, due to the schools hiring native speakers as teachers. Most of the international schools are located in Istanbul and Ankara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Being_a_student_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Being a student in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of young people choose to live in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa due to the fact that these cities are homes of the biggest universities in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Future students can enrol in a preferred program directly through a higher education institution. The main requirements for the applicants are a completed secondary education and a confirmation from a Turkish Embassy that it is equivalent to that of Turkish secondary education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Further on, they can apply for a student visa. It is important to know that students have to pass an entrance examination (Y\u00d6S). The examination is performed in the form of a test and is composed of two parts: &#8220;Basic Learning Skills Test&#8221;, which tests the student\u2019s abstract reasoning skills and \u201cTurkish language Proficiency Test\u201d, which assesses the student\u2019s understanding of the Turkish language. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who do not speak the language can take a preparatory language course. Some universities provide education in English, French, or German.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"cta_container_holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"title\">Moving to another country?<br \/>Let Fantastic Removals handle the international relocation for you!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/contact-us\/\" class=\"btn-regular btn-gfq\">Contact Us<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"info_text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For questions about the services we offer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/\">visit our main site<\/a> or you can always call us at <a href=\"tel:\"><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Healthcare_in_Turkey\"><\/span>Healthcare in Turkey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you enter the country, you should have travel medical insurance. You should know that European Health Insurance Cards are not valid on the territory of Turkey. It\u2019s very important to mention that when you leave the UK for a permanent residency in another country, you will no longer be able to use your National Healthcare Service because it is a residence-based system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have resided in the country for more than a year and have a valid residence permit, you have a right to apply for Turkish General Health Insurance Scheme (Genel Sa\u011fl\u0131k Sigortas\u0131 or GSS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Healthcare in Turkey is quite different from the European one. Instead of having a general practitioner, citizens can directly reach out to a needed medical specialist. If you need to find an English-speaking practitioner, you can check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/turkey-list-of-medical-practitioners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">List of medical facilities in Turkey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check also:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-bulgaria-from-uk\/\">Moving From the UK to Bulgaria<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-greece-from-the-uk\/\">Moving to Greece from the UK<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/moving-to-cyprus-from-uk\/\">Moving to Cyprus from the UK<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Takeaways\"><\/span>Takeaways<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-red-check\">\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>Overall, relocating to Turkey requires a compelling reason<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose to stay in Istanbul, Izmir or Ankara<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>Textile, agriculture and tourism industries are the most developed in Turkey<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>If you want to drive your own car in Turkey, you should be aware that you can keep it into the county only for 2 years<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>The best universities are located in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Bursa<\/li>\n<li><i class=\"icon-check\"><\/i>If you have a health-related issue you have to reach out to a needed medical specialist instead of a general practitioner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Capital City: AnkaraPopulation: 83.15 million (as of 2019)Official language: TurkishCommonly spoken languages: Turkish (90%), Kurdish (6%), Arabic (1.2%)Currency: Turkish Lira (\u20ba)Exchange rate to pound: 1\u00a3 = 9.6\u20ba If you are considering Turkey to be your new home or have already decided to move to this culturally rich country, then this post is for you. The&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":8091,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[623,632],"class_list":{"0":"post-5887","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-moving-abroad","8":"tag-international","9":"tag-move"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5887","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5887"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5887\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21475,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5887\/revisions\/21475"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8091"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5887"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5887"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fantastic-removals.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5887"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}