Is Türkiye a good place for foreigners to move to?

Türkiye attracts foreigners for its lower cost of living relative to Western Europe and the Gulf, strong climate options, large international communities in Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir, and accessible residence permit pathways. Whether it suits you depends on your income source, tax situation, healthcare needs and family circumstances.

How much money do you need to live in Türkiye?

Budget needs vary by city, district and lifestyle. A single foreigner with a comfortable lifestyle in central Istanbul typically plans for a higher monthly budget than someone in Antalya or Izmir. Use the Istanbul Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your situation.

Do foreigners pay tax in Türkiye?

It depends on whether you become a Turkish tax resident and the source of your income. Days in Türkiye, having a permanent home, family location and income source all matter. The Turkey Tax Residency Calculator gives a general indication, but a qualified Turkish tax advisor should review your specific facts.

How much does a Turkish residence permit cost?

Costs depend on nationality, permit type, duration and the number of family members. Typical components include government fees, mandatory health insurance, card fees and translation/notary costs. The Residence Permit Cost Calculator provides a planning estimate.

Is Istanbul cheaper than Dubai or London?

On most major cost categories — rent, groceries, transport and dining — Istanbul tends to be more affordable than Dubai and London for similar lifestyles. However, schooling, imported goods and exchange-rate effects can change the picture. The Istanbul vs Dubai Calculator runs the numbers for your household.

Can I work remotely from Türkiye for a foreign employer?

Many foreigners do, but tax residency, work permit rules and social security position must be reviewed. Working remotely while staying long-term may create Turkish tax exposure depending on facts and treaties. Always consult an immigration and tax advisor before relocating.

A field guide for foreigners

Move to Türkiye
with clear numbers.

Run the cost of living, tax residency, residence permit and citizenship calculators with your real situation. No accounts, no agencies, no stock-photo Bosphorus sunsets — just the numbers.

Estimate my cost of living

Check tax residency

Istanbul · couple · central

$2,840/mo

Comfortable lifestyle, 1-bedroom rental

Cost of Living

Tax residency threshold

183days

The day-count rule — but home + family also count.

Tax Residency

Citizenship · property route

$400K+

Minimum qualifying investment

Citizenship

Calculators

Run the numbers before you commit.

Each calculator answers one question foreigners actually ask before relocating. Free to use, no account required.

Highest stakes

Turkish Citizenship by Investment Calculator

Estimate the all-in cost of Turkish CBI — investment, sunk fees, family additions and timeline. Property, bank deposit, bonds and fund routes.

Estimate CBI cost Most popular

Istanbul Cost of Living Calculator

Estimate rent, food, transport, healthcare, schooling and monthly budget for foreigners moving to Istanbul.

Estimate monthly cost

Turkey Tax Residency Calculator

Check whether your stay, home, family and income situation may create Turkish tax residency risk.

Check residency risk

Foreign Income Tax Checker

Explore whether foreign-source income rules or incentives in Türkiye may be relevant to your situation.

Check eligibility

Residence Permit Cost Calculator

Estimate application, insurance, document and family-related Turkish residence permit costs.

Estimate permit cost

Istanbul vs Dubai Calculator

Compare monthly living costs, rent, schooling, healthcare and relocation fit between Istanbul and Dubai.

Compare cities

Moving to Turkey Checklist

Step-by-step relocation checklist covering visa, residence permit, banking, healthcare and more.

Open checklist

Sample numbers

What you might be looking at.

A glance at the kind of figures the calculators produce. Run them with your own household to see your picture.

Estimated monthly cost — couple in Istanbul: $2,840
Tax residency threshold per calendar year: 183 days
Property route minimum — Turkish citizenship by investment: $400K
Calculators free to use: 12+

Why Türkiye

Four reasons foreigners are paying attention.

Lower cost of living

Rent, groceries, transport and dining are typically more affordable than Western Europe and the Gulf for similar lifestyles.

Accessible residency

Short-term, family and student permits make legal residency achievable for many foreigners — at planning-friendly costs.

Climate & lifestyle

From Istanbul's metropolitan hum to coastal Antalya and Izmir, lifestyle and climate options are unusually broad.

Healthcare & infrastructure

Modern private healthcare, growing international school networks, fast internet and well-connected airports.

What's new

Recently changed.

Posted when something material moves — a tax proposal, a new calculator, an updated assumption.

All updates

Guides

In-depth research, kept up to date.

Long-form pieces we've written to support the calculators — cautious, source-cited, useful before talking to an advisor.

All guides

Tax30 April 2026

Turkey's Proposed 20-Year Foreign Income Tax Exemption: What Expats Should Know

Türkiye has announced a proposed 20-year exemption from Turkish tax on foreign-source income for qualifying new residents. It is still a developing proposal, not a filing position.

Read the guide

Tax30 April 2026

Turkey Tax Residency Rule for Foreigners: The 183-Day / Six-Month Rule Explained

Turkey's tax-residency rule is often described as a 183-day test, but the legal test uses domicile, more than six months in a calendar year, exceptions and treaty facts.

Read the guide

City guides