Guides Index - Turkey | Guides Global

Legal, Tax & Other Guides about Turkey

We have produced well over 100 guides about living, working and doing business in Turkey

Many were created both as written guides and as video interviews – the interviews are available both on our YouTube channel and embedded into the written guides here.

Our Book

How Things Really Work in Turkey

How Things Really Work in Turkey has over 500 pages dealing with everything you need to know if you are living, working or doing business in Turkey:

Immigration & Visas in Turkey
Living in Turkey
Working in Turkey
Doing Business in Turkey
Starting a Business in Turkey

…and much more.

Retiring to Turkey
Buying a Home in Turkey
Taxes in Turkey
Common Legal Problems in Turkey
Investing in Turkey

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General guides about Turkey

Turkey – Facts & Figures

Turkey welcomes many newcomers. They come to work, to run a business, to retire or just to enjoy a great ...
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The Climate in Turkey

So, instead, we'll take a look at the seven regions of Turkey. Truth be told, even the regions are large ...
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Transport Links to and around Turkey

Getting to Turkey is simple. Getting around Turkey requires a little more thought, but the public transport system is fairly ...
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Turkey’s Currency – the Turkish lira

The lira's present incarnation replaced the first Turkish lira in 2005, after a period of devastating devaluation ...
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Public Holidays in Turkey

This guide lists the national public holidays of Turkey, and gives a little background on the meaning and importance of ...
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Facebook Groups for Expats in Turkey

Joining a few Facebook groups is a good way to get a feel for the expat community in Turkey. Find ...
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Books & media about Turkey

Front pages of various Turkish newspapers (Hurriyet, Tercuman, Milliyet, Cumhuriyet)

Local Press and Other Turkish Media

Turkish media is varied and competitive on the surface - but much of the media, across all mediums, is owned ...
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Books about Turkey

There are some really interesting books about turkey. Here are a few of our favourites ...
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Video tours of Turkey

Interesting Videos About Turkey

This guide is simply a collection of videos that you might find interesting if you're thinking of spending a lot ...
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The law in Turkey: legal guides

The legal system in Turkey

Choosing a Lawyer in Turkey

What do you need to consider when looking for legal advice in Turkey? How do you know if a lawyer ...
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A statue of Lady Justice - blindfolded, scales in one hand and sword in the other

The Turkish Legal System

Turkey has a very effective legal system: sometimes slow, but fully functioning. Unlike in some countries, you do not need ...
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Powers of Attorney in Turkey

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises another person to do something such as signing a document, ...
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The Police in Turkey

In Turkey, there are several different types of police officers. Each performs a different task and each has different powers ...
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Lawyers in Turkey

The main source of professional legal help available in Turkey is the lawyer (avukat). There are about 95,000 practising lawyers ...
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Notaries in Turkey

Notaries play an important role within the Turkish legal system. This will be of no surprise if you come from ...
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Accident claims in Turkey

Powers of Attorney in Turkey

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises another person to do something such as signing a document, ...
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Upside-down, burnt-out car. It has been in a bad accident.

Dealing with an Accident in Turkey

Unfortunately, accidents happen. When they do you need not only to take the correct action but also to do so ...
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The aftermath of a car crash - a silver car has rear-ended a blue car.

Road Accidents in Turkey

Accidents on the road are a sadly common phenomenon, particularly in Turkey where the combination of badly-maintained roads and a ...
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A workman with an injured knee being treated by a colleague

Accidents at Work in Turkey

The number of workplace accidents is increasing quite rapidly in Turkey. In 2017, over 2000 people were killed and 200,000 ...
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Accidents in Public Places (or Due to Defective Premises) in Turkey

Many people are injured each year as a result of defective premises in Turkey. Some of the injuries can be ...
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Criminal law in Turkey

Crime & Criminal Cases in Turkey

In each country, the criminal system is unique: probably more so than any other part of the law except for ...
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Drink & Drugs in Turkey

Turkey is rather schizophrenic when it comes to its attitude to alcohol and drugs. As a substantial wine producer it ...
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The Police in Turkey

In Turkey, there are several different types of police officers. Each performs a different task and each has different powers ...
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Court cases in Turkey

Powers of Attorney in Turkey

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises another person to do something such as signing a document, ...
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Disputes & Court Cases in Turkey

Disputes occur in any country. Often, they are the result of genuine misunderstandings. Very often, they are the result of ...
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Defective Products in Turkey

In Turkey, defective products are dealt with under the general law and, in particular, under the Code of Obligations and ...
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Family law in Turkey

Family Problems (Separation, Divorce & Paternity) in Turkey

This guide deals with some of the more stressful and upsetting times in a person's life. As always, though, the ...
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Marriage in Turkey

Turkey still has one of the highest rates of marriage in the world: about 7.75 women out of every thousand ...
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Sex & Sexuality in Turkey

As befits an old country right in the centre of the old Mediterranean civilisation, Turkey is pretty much on the ...
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Adoption in Turkey

There are many reasons that parents choose to adopt children. Whatever the reason, the ease and security of the process ...
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Child Abduction to Turkey

The abduction of a child is every parent's worst nightmare. Not only is it extremely distressing but it is also ...
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Contract law in Turkey

Powers of Attorney in Turkey

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises another person to do something such as signing a document, ...
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Contracts in Turkey

Most countries in the world use one of two basic systems when it comes to contracts: the Continental European (Roman ...
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Consumer protection in Turkey

Mediation & Arbitration in Turkey

Mediation and arbitration are both alternatives to going to court if you have a dispute. They're intended to be much ...
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Consumer Protection in Turkey

Most countries have laws intended to protect the consumer. Turkey is no exception. The need for consumer protection arises because ...
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Defective Products in Turkey

In Turkey, defective products are dealt with under the general law and, in particular, under the Code of Obligations and ...
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Business law in Turkey

Three young people around a table - they are board members at a company.

Setting up a Company in Turkey

Turkey is one of the least complicated places - and one of the quickest - to set up a company ...
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Working for Yourself (Self Employment) in Turkey

It is often difficult for a foreigner to find legal employment in Turkey and so the obvious question arises as ...
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Doing Business in Turkey – From Outside the Country

Turkey permits foreigners and foreign businesses of any nationality to do business in Turkey. This is true whether they are ...
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Starting a Business in Turkey

Turkey is very welcoming when it comes to people wanting to set up new businesses. They realise that new business ...
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Powers of Attorney in Turkey

A Power of Attorney is a legal document that authorises another person to do something such as signing a document, ...
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Taking Over (Buying) a Business in Turkey

Many people consider taking over an existing business rather than starting their own, new one. There are advantages to doing ...
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A handshake between two people, with a third person smiling

Selling a Business in Turkey

Once you have built a successful business it will (hopefully) build up in value and can later be sold ...
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Employment law in Turkey

Working for Others (Employment) in Turkey

Finding a job in Turkey can be difficult. In most cases, Turkey doesn’t need foreign nationals to fill a labour ...
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Employment Law in Turkey

A knowledge of employment law will make your life much easier, whether you're an employer or an employee. Every country's ...
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Working Illegally in Turkey

Working illegally in Turkey is, as we have said in many of our guides, widespread. As we have also said, it ...
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Debt & bankruptcy in Turkey

Debt & Bankruptcy in Turkey

In Turkey, debt is no longer treated as seriously as it perhaps was in years gone by ...
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Property law in Turkey

Buying a Property in Turkey

A property is always an expensive item, so you do not wish to risk losing your money. This is true ...
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Buying a New Property in Turkey

Many people prefer to buy and own new houses and other property. There are a number of reasons: ...
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Two tradesmen in the frame of a building under construction

Buying an Off-Plan Property in Turkey

An off-plan property is a property that you agree to buy before it is fully constructed. You might be buying ...
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A shiny, modern bar with spirits lined up behind it

Buying Commercial Property in Turkey

Buying commercial property can be a little more complicated than buying residential property. Commercial property is, in essence, anything that ...
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Mortgages for Foreigners in Turkey

In the past, many foreign buyers of property in Turkey used to take a mortgage from a bank in Turkey ...
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Building or Altering a House in Turkey

To build or alter a house in Turkey, as in any country, there are various requirements that must be satisfied ...
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Selling a Property in Turkey

The process of selling a property in Turkey is much more straightforward than the process of buying a property in ...
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Renting a House in Turkey

Many people coming to Turkey decide to rent a property here. There are several reasons. They may just prefer renting ...
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Letting (Renting Out) Property in Turkey

It's possible to make a good profit by letting (renting out) a property in Turkey. Just make sure you're aware ...
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Wills & inheritance in Turkey

Dealing with a Death in Turkey

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always distressing. It can also be stressful, time consuming and expensive ...
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Making a Will in Turkey

Making a Will is one of the most important things that you need to do, especially if you own any ...
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Dealing with an Inheritance in Turkey

Inheritance and dealing with an inheritance are topics where you will find that a little bit of forward planning can ...
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Other guides to Turkish law

Drink & Drugs in Turkey

Turkey is rather schizophrenic when it comes to its attitude to alcohol and drugs. As a substantial wine producer it ...
Read More

Sex & Sexuality in Turkey

As befits an old country right in the centre of the old Mediterranean civilisation, Turkey is pretty much on the ...
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Immigration & visas for Turkey

Immigration & Visas in Turkey

Immigration into Turkey has changed a lot in recent years. Generally, it's easier. We have a more settled system with ...
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Residence Permits in Turkey

A person wishing to live in Turkey will, in many cases, need a special visa authorising entry to the country ...
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Turkish Visas for Highly Skilled People – the “Turquoise Card”

This guide looks at Turkey's brand new "Turquoise Visa". We will be updating it as more information emerges. Introduction This ...
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Coming to Turkey as a Tourist (Visas)

In 2015, 41million people visited Turkey. In 2016, largely as a result of the combination of the conflict in Syria, ...
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Coming to Turkey as a Student (Immigration/Visas)

Introduction Turkish schools (primary & secondary education) and its colleges and universities (tertiary education) are of high quality and relatively ...
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Coming to Turkey to Retire (Immigration/Visas)

Retiring to Turkey - or simply living there as an 'economically inactive person' - is pretty easy. It's worth talking ...
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Coming to Turkey to Work (Immigration/Visas)

Introduction If you're lucky enough to be skilled in the right field, you might find it relatively simple to get ...
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Coming to Turkey to Start a Business (Immigration/Visas)

Introduction People wishing to come to Turkey on a long-term basis in order to set up or run a business ...
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Coming to Turkey to Join Your Family (Immigration/Visas)

Foreigners wishing to join their family in Turkey will need to obtain a Family Residence Permit. See our Guide to Residence ...
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Coming to Turkey as an Asylum Seeker/Refugee

Introduction Turkey is the world's largest host country of registered refugees. Almost all of the refugees in the country come ...
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Relocation to Turkey

Bringing Your Possessions to Turkey

When moving - especially when moving to another country - having your personal possessions with you can be comforting. Moreover, ...
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Bringing Your Car to Turkey

In Turkey, cars and fuel are expensive. The price of a car, both new and second hand, is likely to ...
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Bringing Your Boat to Turkey

Many expats keep a boat in Turkey. There are several ways in which they can do so ...
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Bringing Your Pet to Turkey

Many people worry more about how they're going to take their pet to Turkey than they do about any other ...
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Bringing Your Money to Turkey

When you move to Turkey you will have a major decision to make about what to do with your money ...
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Moving Money & FX in Turkey

Foreign exchange (FX) is one of those boring subjects which it is so easy to overlook when planning your international ...
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Receiving Your Pension in Turkey

When you live in Turkey there are no restrictions upon receiving any pension to which you are entitled in another ...
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Living in Turkey

Business Culture in Turkey

Whatever your reason for doing business in Turkey, you will probably find that there are some big differences in business environment and ...
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Cultural Differences in Turkey

Moving to or doing business in another country always throws up issues arising from the basic cultural differences between your ...
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Driving in Turkey

Driving in Turkey is pretty simple - especially if you come from a country where they drive on the right-hand ...
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Healthcare in Turkey

Healthcare is right at the top of people’s concerns when moving to - or even visiting - a new country ...
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Dealing with a Death in Turkey

Dealing with the death of a loved one is always distressing. It can also be stressful, time consuming and expensive ...
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Dealing with the Administration in Turkey

Dealing with the administration in any new country is tough. Turkey is better than some, and worse than others. It’s ...
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Politics & Voting in Turkey

Turkey is a large nation with a complex political structure ...
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Social Security (Welfare Benefits) in Turkey

In order to benefit from the Turkish Social Security System, residents in Turkey must enrol with the Turkish Social Security ...
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Learning Turkish – in Turkey or ‘back home’

Learning Turkish is important if you're going to be spending a lot of time in Turkey. The good news (if ...
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Shops & Shopping in Turkey

Shopping - love it or hate it, it's a big part of life. It can be confusing in a new ...
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Marriage in Turkey

Turkey still has one of the highest rates of marriage in the world: about 7.75 women out of every thousand ...
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Banks & Banking in Turkey

Banking is an important part of the Turkish economy. The sector is made up of a mixture of state-run banks ...
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Housing Options in Turkey

Where you live is one of the largest factors when it comes to how happy you are going to be ...
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Utilities in Turkey

Utilities: not the most exciting part of a move, but definitely vital. It's best to learn what to expect before ...
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Moving Money & FX in Turkey

Foreign exchange (FX) is one of those boring subjects which it is so easy to overlook when planning your international ...
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Education in Turkey

Your children will have a great time living in Turkey. Because of the climate and the freedom that children still ...
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Drink & Drugs in Turkey

Turkey is rather schizophrenic when it comes to its attitude to alcohol and drugs. As a substantial wine producer it ...
Read More

Sex & Sexuality in Turkey

As befits an old country right in the centre of the old Mediterranean civilisation, Turkey is pretty much on the ...
Read More

Religion in Turkey

Religion in Turkey is as old as Turkey itself - which is very old. Islam is still a massively important ...
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Receiving Your Pension in Turkey

When you live in Turkey there are no restrictions upon receiving any pension to which you are entitled in another ...
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Moving Back Home from Turkey

There may, for various reasons, come a time when you decide that you want to leave Turkey and return ‘home’ ...
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Insurance in Turkey

Car Insurance in Turkey

Every vehicle registered in Turkey or located in Turkey must have insurance complying with Turkish law ...
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Home & Contents Insurance in Turkey

Your home in Turkey is a very expensive asset that you should think carefully about insuring. Whilst your contents are ...
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Health Insurance in Turkey

This guide looks at short-term health insurance in Turkey (travel insurance), as well as health insurance for residents - going ...
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Life Insurance (Assurance) in Turkey

What is the difference between life insurance and life assurance? Basically, they're almost the same thing: they pay out when ...
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Working in Turkey

Working for Others (Employment) in Turkey

Finding a job in Turkey can be difficult. In most cases, Turkey doesn’t need foreign nationals to fill a labour ...
Read More

Working for Yourself (Self Employment) in Turkey

It is often difficult for a foreigner to find legal employment in Turkey and so the obvious question arises as ...
Read More

Finding Work (Getting a Job) in Turkey

There are a number of ways of finding a job in Turkey - bearing in mind, of course, the need ...
Read More

Employment Law in Turkey

A knowledge of employment law will make your life much easier, whether you're an employer or an employee. Every country's ...
Read More

Working Within the Expat Community in Turkey

Working within the expat community is a tempting option for foreigners arriving in Turkey. It is, in many ways, simpler ...
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Teaching English in Turkey

There is a constant demand for people to teach English in Turkey. There is also some demand for people to ...
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Working Illegally in Turkey

Working illegally in Turkey is, as we have said in many of our guides, widespread. As we have also said, it ...
Read More

Business in Turkey

Setting up a Company in Turkey

Turkey is one of the least complicated places - and one of the quickest - to set up a company ...
Read More

Business Culture in Turkey

Whatever your reason for doing business in Turkey, you will probably find that there are some big differences in business environment and ...
Read More

Doing Business in Turkey – From Outside the Country

Turkey permits foreigners and foreign businesses of any nationality to do business in Turkey. This is true whether they are ...
Read More

Starting a Business in Turkey

Turkey is very welcoming when it comes to people wanting to set up new businesses. They realise that new business ...
Read More

Taking Over (Buying) a Business in Turkey

Many people consider taking over an existing business rather than starting their own, new one. There are advantages to doing ...
Read More

Selling a Business in Turkey

Once you have built a successful business it will (hopefully) build up in value and can later be sold ...
Read More

Retiring to Turkey

Coming to Turkey to Retire (Immigration/Visas)

Retiring to Turkey - or simply living there as an 'economically inactive person' - is pretty easy. It's worth talking ...
Read More

Property (real estate) in Turkey

Buying a Property in Turkey

A property is always an expensive item, so you do not wish to risk losing your money. This is true ...
Read More

Four piles of coins next to a simple wooden model of a house

Investing in Property in Turkey

When you're looking for property in Turkey, the first thing you need to know is what's available: not the specific ...
Read More

Buying a New Property in Turkey

Many people prefer to buy and own new houses and other property. There are a number of reasons: ...
Read More

Buying an Off-Plan Property in Turkey

An off-plan property is a property that you agree to buy before it is fully constructed. You might be buying ...
Read More

Buying Commercial Property in Turkey

Buying commercial property can be a little more complicated than buying residential property. Commercial property is, in essence, anything that ...
Read More

Mortgages for Foreigners in Turkey

In the past, many foreign buyers of property in Turkey used to take a mortgage from a bank in Turkey ...
Read More

Building or Altering a House in Turkey

To build or alter a house in Turkey, as in any country, there are various requirements that must be satisfied ...
Read More

Property Development in Turkey

Property development is the process of building new property: homes, hotels, factories etc. It can either be the development of ...
Read More

Selling a Property in Turkey

The process of selling a property in Turkey is much more straightforward than the process of buying a property in ...
Read More

Renting a House in Turkey

Many people coming to Turkey decide to rent a property here. There are several reasons. They may just prefer renting ...
Read More

Letting (Renting Out) Property in Turkey

It's possible to make a good profit by letting (renting out) a property in Turkey. Just make sure you're aware ...
Read More

Investment in Turkey

Investment Opportunities in Turkey

Nowhere on this website is our oft-repeated disclaimer more important than in this guide. When thinking about your investment plans, ...
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Financial & Investment Planning in Turkey

For the purposes of this guide, the terms ‘financial planning’ and ‘investment planning’ are used interchangeably ...
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Bringing Your Money to Turkey

When you move to Turkey you will have a major decision to make about what to do with your money ...
Read More

Investing in Property in Turkey

When you're looking for property in Turkey, the first thing you need to know is what's available: not the specific ...
Read More

Inheritance Planning in Turkey

Inheritance planning (sometimes known as ‘estate planning’) is a concept that does not have a universally agreed definition. Here, the ...
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Trusts in Turkey

As in many countries, Trusts can be a very useful tool when managing your affairs in Turkey. They're useful for ...
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Taxes in Turkey

The use of trusts in Turkey

Trusts in Turkey

As in many countries, Trusts can be a very useful tool when managing your affairs in Turkey. They're useful for ...
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