An increasing number of people from various parts of the world are moving to Türkiye to start a new life, to work, or even to find peace of mind for their retirements. The country has developed dramatically in the two decades, and the pace of progress in certain fields is nothing short of astonishing.
With its unique geographical location combined with a rich and diverse history, right in the cradle of many different civilizations, Türkiye is a privileged place to live for expatriates and their families.
Many of Türkiye's new residents hail from several countries in Europe, the US, and the Gulf. Thanks to the amendments in Türkiye's property law that lifted the reciprocity principle, foreign homebuyers and investors are now free to purchase nearly any property in Türkiye. Moreover, foreigners who acquire an immovable property worth a certain value with a title deed restricting its sale for at least three years are eligible to acquire Turkish citizenship.
From flats in urban centers to villas in suburbs, there are a multitude of options to choose from when looking for housing in Türkiye. Major metropolitan areas have the most modern and complete environment for an extravagant life in the city, where luxurious residence complexes offer all the daily amenities such as private security, kindergartens, sports complexes, social facilities, wellness centers, parking lots, and shopping malls for their residents.
Foreigners wishing to work or reside in Türkiye are obliged to file an application to the relevant Turkish authorities with the required documents in order to obtain a work or residence permit. The methods and principles concerning work permits to be issued to foreigners that will be employed in Türkiye vary by the relevant sector, such as education, housekeeping services, health services, tourism, aviation, entertainment, and others, as well as with respect to foreign direct investments, professional services, and liaison offices. Meanwhile, along with ownership status of real estate, residence permits and Turkish citizenship are issued to foreigners mainly based on making a minimum fixed capital investment, creating jobs, depositing a certain amount of money in banks operating in Türkiye, buying government bonds, or on the intention to run a business or establish commercial connections in Türkiye.
The transportation system in Türkiye makes good use of the country's highly developed infrastructure. With around 60 airports across the country, one can fly from one city to another in Türkiye in less than an hour in most instances. An extensive network of highways makes it very easy to drive from your home to any major city in Türkiye. The high-speed train network, meanwhile, has been improving rapidly in the last decade; the 14 largest cities of Türkiye are expected to be interconnected with high-speed train lines by 2023, the centennial of the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye.
The education system of Türkiye has undergone serious reforms in the last two decades. Most apparent are the now compulsory twelve-year education and the robust increase in the number of schools and other educational institutions. Moreover, international schools, where only pupils holding a foreign passport can attend, are present throughout the country. While schools providing education in European languages such as English, German, French, and Italian are available, there are other institutions where languages such as Russian, Japanese, and Chinese are taught as well.
The healthcare system in Türkiye mainly operates with three different types of hospitals: public, university, and private. While social and health securities are governed in essence by the state, it is also possible to have private health insurance. The majority of hospitals in Türkiye, both public and private, are either meeting or surpassing international standards in equipment quality and expertise.
The cultural activities in which one can engage in Türkiye are only limited by individual interests and capabilities. Be it arts, hobbies, entertainment, or other leisure activities, the possibilities are endless. In all major cities, one can find movies, plays, concerts, ballets, operas, and other varieties of cultural activities awaiting either participants or spectators. Local festivals and more traditional forms of leisure activities are also rising in popularity.
Turkish cuisine is one of the most appetizing, rich, and renowned cuisines of the world and its diversity draws influences from its rich history, with each region in the country praising its unique delicacies. The richness of Turkish cuisine stems from several factors such as the variety of products cultivated on the lands of Asia and Anatolia, numerous cultural and historical exchanges, the palace kitchen of the Ottoman Empire, as well as geographical elements that shaped the Turkish culinary culture.
Türkiye's rich geography and suitable terrain make the country an ideal place for alternative sports, such as mountaineering, golf, scuba diving, rafting, skiing, and yachting. Naturally, well-established and popular sports like football, basketball, and volleyball have a considerable number of players and supporters all over the country.
Located in the Eastern Mediterranean region and surrounded on three sides by temperate seas, Türkiye has a climate allowing for extreme variations in weather, often in the same region or province. As such, it is possible to go skiing in a mountain resort after sunbathing on a sandy beach, both in the same day.