How long does it take to move to Turkey?

There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 4 stages (Before you leave, First weeks, Settling in, Longer term) covering 17 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.

What catches people out when moving to Turkey?

In Istanbul, Antalya and other popular provinces, appointment slots on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr can book out weeks to months ahead, and you must apply before your visa-free/e-visa stay runs out. Start the online application and try to grab an appointment the day you decide to move, not after you land.

How much of the Turkey guide can I see for free?

The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Settle Steps / Moving to Turkey

Moving to Turkey, step by step

17 steps for your move to Turkey - which office, what to bring, what it costs and how long it takes - checked against official sources where an official answer exists, and marked clearly where it depends on your situation instead.

See the free preview for Turkey

How the move breaks down

1
Before you leave
Entry rules, e-İkamet application, appointment booking
6 steps
2
First weeks
Biometrics, foreigner ID, tax number, bank account, SIM
5 steps
3
Settling in
Health insurance route, housing, driving licence, school
4 steps
4
Longer term
Renewals, property/citizenship route, longer-term permits
2 steps

7 of the 17 steps are checked against an official source, with the date it was checked. The rest depend on your own circumstances, or are practical guidance no authority publishes - each step says which.

If you get stuck in Turkey

112 General emergency (ambulance/fire/police)
157 Jandarma (rural areas)
Alo 189 Revenue Administration (GİB) helpline

Things people don't expect about moving to Turkey

Waiting too long to book the e-İkamet appointment
In Istanbul, Antalya and other popular provinces, appointment slots on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr can book out weeks to months ahead, and you must apply before your visa-free/e-visa stay runs out. Start the online application and try to grab an appointment the day you decide to move, not after you land.
Using a foreign phone with a Turkish SIM past the registration window and getting it blocked
A phone with a foreign IMEI used on a Turkish SIM for more than roughly 120 days from entry gets its IMEI blocked from Turkish networks unless it's registered (for a fee that rises every year). People find out only when their phone suddenly stops connecting.
Assuming the Yabancı Kimlik Numarası and the tax number are the same thing
They're two different 11-digit numbers issued by two different agencies for different purposes. Property purchase and some bank/company processes ask specifically for the tax number (vergi numarası), not the foreigner ID.

Questions people ask about moving to Turkey

How long does it take to move to Turkey?
There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 4 stages (Before you leave, First weeks, Settling in, Longer term) covering 17 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.
What catches people out when moving to Turkey?
In Istanbul, Antalya and other popular provinces, appointment slots on e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr can book out weeks to months ahead, and you must apply before your visa-free/e-visa stay runs out. Start the online application and try to grab an appointment the day you decide to move, not after you land.
How much of the Turkey guide can I see for free?
The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Moving to Turkey from an EU country, or from outside the EU

The steps differ depending on where you're moving from. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens generally register locally with no visa required; moving from outside the EU usually means a visa or residence permit arranged before you travel. Pick your own country on the guide and you'll only see the steps that actually apply to you - not a generic list for everyone.

Get the full guide

Pick where you're leaving from on the main guide, and the first three steps are free. The full route for Turkey - every step, what to bring, the cost, the timing and the source - unlocks with one payment, on the page itself.

Choose your route to Turkey

Moving to Turkey, step by step

How the move breaks down

Before you leave

First weeks

Settling in

Longer term

If you get stuck in Turkey

Things people don't expect about moving to Turkey

Waiting too long to book the e-İkamet appointment

Using a foreign phone with a Turkish SIM past the registration window and getting it blocked

Assuming the Yabancı Kimlik Numarası and the tax number are the same thing