10 Things You Must Know Before Moving to Turkey

Moving from your current country to another where you have never been can be stressful. This stress can be heightened when you are not armed with enough information concerning your new destination. This article will discuss some important things you need to know before moving to Turkey.

What’s on this page?

01 | Language and currency
02 | Earthquake risk
03 | Exceptional foods
04 | Economy and healthcare
05 | Cultural Differences
06 | Driving in Turkey
07 | Weather conditions
08 | Job markets and opportunities
09 | School and educational systems
10 | Moving your household

1. Language and currency

Turkey is a great country with very diverse people. There are over 35 ethnic languages spoken and diverse cultures in Turkey today. The more recognized language is the official language which is Turkish. It is pretty similar to Arabic. In bigger cities such as Istanbul, people also speak the English language.

In Turkey, the official currency used is the Turkish lira, which is broken down into small denominations. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the money before moving into Turkey. There are certain cases where the US dollars and Euros are accepted for transactional purposes in tourist Areas, hotels, and even restaurants.

2. Earthquake risk

You need to factor in earthquake risks when planning to move to a country since it can be a risk to your life and property. Turkey has had its fair share of earthquakes in the past years. And depending on the region in Turkey, you will feel the severity of the earthquakes in varying degrees. For example, Istanbul, one of Turkey’s biggest cities, has suffered many earthquakes threats.

There has been much research stating there might be a more severe earthquake on its way, but the date remains unknown. There are also areas in Turkey that do not experience tremors, so it’s best to move into such regions. Still, at the expense of not enjoying certain benefits, the big cities bring.

3. Exceptional foods

Turkey isn’t left out because every country has very great foods that locals and foreigners tend to love. There are so many different foods, with each food having a story behind it. The Turkish foods are very simple but are packed with great varieties and very tasty too. If you love kebab, then you are in for a great treat since Turkey is the home of kebab.

Turkish cuisines are often meat-based but can be eaten as a side dish with rice and other foods. Yogurt is a well-loved food in Turkey, and it is accompanied by most of their cuisines. More than half of the population are Muslims, so alcoholic drinks are not widely sorted after, but that doesn’t make them non-existing. There are also locally brewed wines for people who are fans of wines and even locally produced beverages.

4. Economy and healthcare

The industrial and service sector are the two main driving forces behind the economy of Turkey, with more of its GDP coming from these sectors. It doesn’t leave out the most critical industry, which is the agriculture sector. The country has the world’s 20th- largest nominal GDP and 11th-largest GDP by PPP.

The economy has suffered from excess account deficit and a large amount of foreign borrowing. The healthcare systems of a country are critical to the life of its citizens. Turkey has health insurance coverage for its citizens, a 5% tax surcharge to cover healthcare costs. Quality of healthcare can be seen in both private and government health institutions.

5. Cultural Differences

Culture is the primary way of life of a society, and unfortunately, some are lost over the years. Turkey has a very integrated culture minced from different cultures such as the Anatolian, Ottoman, Western culture and traditions. In Turkey, the people see justice or offering justice as one of the most outstanding values anyone can or should live by.

According to a Turkey Values Survey, the value of justice ranked first in both personal and country values. It shows how seriously they take this value. In addition, Turkish culture promotes unity amongst the state, family, and friends. 

Read more: The Ultimate International Relocation Checklist

6. Driving in Turkey

In most countries, you must be above 18 to drive, and Turkey is no different. In Turkey, the law allows you to drive using a driving license of another country for up to 6 months and from which you will need to get a Turkish driving license.

Driving in Turkey can be fascinating, with great views and tourist attractions. The road signs are more apparent and precise. Parking and navigating are more straightforward. And according to law, the Turkish drive is on the right, unlike other Arabic countries.

7. Weather conditions

In moving to any country, the weather must also be considered, especially when moving from a cold zone to a hotter country. Four main seasons exist, they are spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Turkey is a hot country, especially in summer (June, July, and August), with an average of 30 degrees Celsius and above in July. Spring in Turkey starts in March through April and ends in May with moderate weather throughout.

Winter begins in December and continues into January and February and autumn around September, October, and November, with shorter days.

8. Job markets and opportunities

Before moving to Turkey to also work there, you will need to apply for a job offer through your travel agencies, which will help you secure one before moving in. Finding a job on your own as a foreigner can be challenging without working permits; this is because there is a vast supply of labor for all positions. There are many jobs you can do in Turkey, which also depends on your qualification and experience.

One of the most popular jobs is customer service. You can also teach foreign languages such as English, Or be a sales specialist, babysit, medical professional, marketing, bankers, and so much more. The market opportunity is vast for investors, and with the perfect strategies, you can reap many benefits.

9. School and educational systems

A governmental institution governs the educational system in Turkey and sets the whole system’s rules and syllabus. In the Turkish educational system, there’s a 12-year compulsory education for its citizens. The government covers the cost of primary and secondary schooling in the public schools to ensure a maximum number of children of school-going age get to be educated.

It takes 17 years to go through the educational system in Turkey, from primary through to the university. Currently, there are more than 167 universities in Turkey, of which some are public and others private.

10. Moving your household

SDC International Shipping provides reliable, fast international household moving to Turkey. We can offer door-to-door service to most locations in Turkey, though locations south and east of Antep require more planning and will be more expensive. Most of our clients have moved to the Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara areas, offering full service to these and other areas.