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What is the Easiest Way to Move to Turkey?
Have you been wondering about ways to make your move to Turkey easier? Moving to a different country is always a daunting prospect. Leaving behind everything and everyone you know is unfathomable for most people.
However, moving to Turkey is always a good idea, owing to its unique geographical location lying partly in Asia and partly in Europe, low living cost, safety, affordable healthcare, low taxes, nice climate, and many other benefits. Regardless of your reason for moving to Turkey, you will surely have a great time in this beautiful country.
Despite all the benefits that Turkey may provide, moving to a different country can in itself be tricky and confusing. However, there is no need to be puzzled or anxious anymore. If you have been ruminating about moving to Turkey, then this is the best guide for you. Let us take a look at some of the easiest ways to move to Turkey, hassle-free and safe.
Move to Turkey with the Proper Visa
Although getting a visa before relocating is a no-brainer, this too can get quite complicated since visa regulations in Turkey are not the same as in most other countries. While ex-pats of many countries won’t even need a visa for moving to Turkey, if they are visiting for a short term, the type of visa you might need is dependent on your purpose of visit and duration of stay. There are several types of visas in the Turkish visa system. Here are some things to keep in mind if you are applying for a visa to permanently move to Turkey.
- If you are planning to stay for more than 90 days, you can apply for a long-stay visa.
- Alternatively, you can get a tourist visa and apply for a residence permit in Turkey, within 90 days of entry into the country.
- A passport, which has at least 6 months of validity left from the date you cross Turkish borders.
- You can apply for a visa at the embassy near you or you can get an eVisa. Always carry a printed copy of your eVisa.
- Make sure you get a work permit while you are applying for the visa, as one is useless without the other. The Turkey work permit is as important as a residence permit or a visa.
Buy/Rent Property before Moving to Turkey
So, you got on the plane and entered the country. What’s next is your place of residence. People with low and average incomes can have a good quality of life here, which is why many people choose to move to Turkey. When compared to most Western and European countries, the overall cost of living in Turkey is lower, and that includes property rates. Whether you buy or rent property, there are some things you should know.
- You can rent property in Turkey from a real estate agent, a specialized renting agency, directly from the owner, or online listings.
- Although the rent depends upon the location and size of the property, you can expect an average of $250 for a 1BHK apartment flat to $400 for a 3BHK apartment flat. Remember this depends on the location of the property and of course, the size.
- For buying a property in Turkey, you will need your Foreign Identity Number (FIN) which can be obtained from the Turkish National Police (TNP) free of charge.
- Although the prize of property you buy is entirely up to you, foreign property buyers are eligible for residency, and those spending more than $500,000.00 (five hundred thousand dollars) and planning to keep them for at least three years are eligible for Turkish citizenship.
Move to Turkey and get Registered for Healthcare Services
The next most important thing on a foreign immigrant’s mind after the shelter is healthcare. Here too Turkey takes the cake for having one of the most affordable and high-quality healthcare systems. After moving to Turkey, in case you are not already registered with the SGK (governing authority of the Turkish social security system) by your employer, you will need to get yourself registered with the Turkish healthcare system. As always, there are some facts you should know regarding this, before relocating.
- As an ex-pat, you have to have residency in Turkey for at least a year to be eligible for public healthcare.
- In the meantime, you can avail private insurance coverage. However, this will not do in the long term. Getting registered for public healthcare in Turkey is more advisable.
- Check whether your own country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Turkey. In case they do, the hassle for healthcare on your end would decrease dramatically.
- You will be covered entirely in Government hospitals. Additionally, you may be subsidized for private health care for up to 60%.
- Emergency healthcare services are entirely free of cost in Turkey, irrespective of your insurance.
Are You Ready To Move to Turkey?
The advantages of moving to Turkey far outweigh the anxieties and jittery feelings that might come with preparing for it. Having covered some of the most nodal concerns of any immigrant planning to move to Turkey, such as visas, work permits, property, residency, citizenship, and healthcare, hopefully, you feel a lot more confident and relaxed regarding your imminent relocation to Turkey.
The most important piece of last advice to be given here is to amass as much knowledge and information regarding the country you are moving to, as possible. This can include basic things like knowing about the currency, economy, political conditions, legal system, cultural atmosphere, religious norms, and society.
With some of the easiest ways of moving to Turkey as listed above, you are now all set for this huge change. With the right information, Turkey can be the land of your dreams. It is, after all, a melting pot of rich culture, amazing traditions, wonderful and friendly people, beautiful locales, and so much more. You will never regret moving to this amazing country. So, take this article as a guide, and here’s hoping your move to Turkey is an easy, safe and happy one.
