Are you drawn to another country and toying with the idea of moving to Turkey? We can understand that. Because hardly any other country offers as much variety as this successor state of the former Ottoman Empire.
Surely you already know that a change of residence abroad involves more effort than a move within Switzerland. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, this article will tell you everything you need to know about moving to Turkey.
These cities are worthwhile as a place of residence after your move to Turkey
In Turkey, you will find numerous cities that offer themselves as a future place of residence. Some are more popular than others and you will find many other foreign residents there as well. Of course, we can only offer you a small selection. To list all possible new home towns would certainly go beyond the scope here.
In an enumeration of interesting Turkish metropolises Istanbul may not be missing of course. The city has over 15 million inhabitants and is located on both the European and the Asian continent. Thus, it represents an unmistakable mixture of the cultures of the Orient and the Occident. The most interesting sights are the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and the Topkapi Palace.
A beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea awaits you if you move to Antalya. This popular vacation resort convinces especially with its cultural sights, which date back several centuries. For an excursion you can visit, among other things, the Olympos National Park and the Kursunlu waterfall.
Izmir lies like Antalya on the coast. However, not in the south of Turkey, but in the west. The former trading city offers you a lot of variety. Especially the Kemeralti bazaar you will take to your heart within a short time.
It will be especially fabulous in Göreme, a small town in Cappadocia. In the morning you can see many colorful hot air balloons between the striking rock formations, the so-called fairy chimneys.
These are the dishes you should try after moving to Turkey
Among the most popular appetizers in Turkey are sigara böreği. These are dough rolls filled with spinach or feta. Even for the small hunger in between, this treat is perfect. They taste the best together with a dip made of yogurt and garlic.
Also, popular is Sucuk, a spicy sausage made from beef, veal or lamb. This specialty is served in Turkey, especially as a side dish for many other dishes.
You can consider Lahmacun as a Turkish version of pizza. The thin flatbread is spread with a layer of minced meat, tomatoes and onions. Turks roll up the lahmacun so that it looks like a wrap.
For dessert, we recommend baklava. This sweet treat is made of puff pastry and filled with honey and pistachios. The whole thing is then soaked in sugar syrup. Especially those with a sweet tooth will not get enough of this Turkish specialty!
The visa for your move to Turkey
If you only want to live in Turkey for a maximum of 90 days, then you do not need to apply for a visa. However, you should take into account that you are then also not allowed to take up work in Turkey.
From a planned stay of more than 90 days, you must first apply for a residence permit at the Turkish diplomatic mission in Switzerland. You can also do this online. There are different types of residence permits, depending on the purpose of your stay. There are short-term, study, family and long-term residence permits. It also depends on how long it is valid.
If you get a residence permit with a duration of at least 6 months, you will receive a foreigner identity number (in Turkish İkamet Tezkeresi). You will need this in case you need to use government services or hospitals.
If you wish to work in Turkey, you will also need a work permit. You must apply for this at the Turkish Consulate General. If you already have a residence permit and are already living in Turkey, you can also apply for your work permit at the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security (in Turkish “Çalışma ve Sosyal Güvenlik Bakanlığı”). Permission to work in Turkey is initially limited to one year.
When working, keep in mind that some professions are exclusively for Turkish citizens. Unfortunately, you cannot pursue a career as a lawyer, notary or pharmacist as a foreigner after moving to Turkey. Likewise, you may only work as a nurse or doctor if you are employed in a private clinic.
With the help of these tips, nothing will stand in the way of your move to Turkey. You now know whether you need a visa and what requirements you have to meet to work as an employee. We have also told you which cities are particularly popular with foreign residents of Turkey.
We are sure that you will not regret taking this step. Turks are an extremely warm-hearted people, they welcome every newcomer with open arms.
Do you still have questions despite this article? Then do not hesitate and send us a message. Then we can advise you on your plan.