Turkey has always attracted tourists with its culture, delicious cuisine and picturesque landscapes. Find out more about the costs faced by Turkish residents and what to consider when planning your budget before moving

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Turkey may surprise expats with its fairly moderate prices. The cost of living in the country varies by region. The most expensive places to live are the big cities and business centres.

However, Istanbul, although recognised as the most expensive city in Turkey, is much cheaper than London or New York.

By choosing to live in Turkey, you can really save some money, because the country has a warm climate and always has fresh food.

Please note that the national currency of the country is the Turkish lira, but for the sake of ease of understanding prices, we indicate them in euros. The exchange rate is as of 5 November 2024: 1 euro = 36.24 Turkish lira.

Step-by-step instructions on how to get an ikamet in Turkey in 2024 are here.

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Turkey?

The largest item of expenditure will be rent.

In small Turkish cities such as Mersin, Trabzon or Samsun, rental prices are relatively moderate. A one-bedroom apartment can be rented for 170-230 euros per month. A two-bedroom apartment in these cities will cost 230-350 euros per month.

The situation is significantly different in larger cities. In Antalya, Izmir and the suburbs of Istanbul, you will have to pay between 290 and 500 euros per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Two-bedroom apartments in these cities cost between 440 and 730 euros. In the central areas of Istanbul, prices are the highest: rent for a one-bedroom apartment can reach 600 euros, and for a two-bedroom apartment - up to 1,000 euros per month.

Utility costs for a medium-sized apartment (60-80 square metres) are approximately €60-120 per month. This amount includes electricity (23-44 euros), water supply (6-12 euros), gas (up to 44 euros in winter, much less in summer) and internet (4-9 euros).

In winter, the total amount of utility bills can increase to 150-180 euros due to additional heating costs. It is important to bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the area, the condition of the property and the specific terms of the lease.

To find out what types of residence permits Ukrainians can apply for in Turkey in 2024 , please follow the link.

Renting in Turkey: where to look for accommodation?

The most popular websites for finding accommodation for rent in Turkey:

- Sahibinden;

- Hürriyet Emlak;

- Emlakjet;

- Zingat.

For a successful move and avoidance of troubles, it is worth contacting specialists. The lawyers of Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any nuances.

How much is food in Turkey?

Food in Turkey is usually fresh and affordable. You can buy them at local supermarket chains or markets.

Bread costs around €0.3-0.4 per loaf. A litre of milk can be purchased for €1-1.2, and a dozen eggs will cost €1.5-1.8. A kilogram of chicken costs 4-5 euros, and beef costs 8-10 euros per kilogram. A kilogram of tomatoes will cost 1-1.5 euros, and cucumbers - 0.8-1.2 euros. Rice and pasta cost about 1.5-2 euros per kilo. Olive oil, which is widely used in Turkish cuisine, costs 8-10 euros per litre.

For a family of three, the monthly budget for food when cooking at home varies from 350 to 450 euros. This amount takes into account a balanced diet, including meat products, vegetables, fruit, dairy products and groceries. At the same time, significant savings can be achieved by buying seasonal products at local markets, where prices are usually 20-30% lower than in supermarkets.

Find out what kind of visa you need to travel to Turkey here.

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Cost of living in Turkey: public transport and fuel

The cost of travel varies depending on the city and mode of transport. In Istanbul, one trip within the city costs about €0.7 when using the Istanbul Kart transport card. In other major cities, such as Ankara and Izmir, the cost per trip is approximately €0.5-0.6.

The metro, which operates in Turkey's largest cities, costs the same as a bus when using a single transport card. The cost of travelling by city bus without a transport card (one-time ticket) is about 30-40% higher.

A monthly public transport pass in large cities costs between 25 and 35 euros, making it a favourable option for daily travel. Students and pensioners can enjoy significant discounts of up to 50% of the regular price.

Intercity bus services, which are a popular way to travel between cities in Turkey, cost approximately 3-4 euros for every 100 kilometres of travel, depending on the carrier company and bus class.

As for fuel prices in Turkey, they show some fluctuations depending on the region. Petrol 95 costs an average of €1.3-1.4 per litre. Diesel fuel is slightly cheaper - around €1.2-1.3 per litre. LPG (autogas), which is quite popular in Turkey, costs around €0.7-0.8 per litre, making it the most economical fuel option.

Keep in mind that a Green Card is a prerequisite for legal travel in Turkey by car. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card online from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters.

You can find out moreabout traffic rules, fines, toll roads in Turkey and everything a driver needs to know before travelling here.

The rules for importing cars with Ukrainian licence plates to Turkey in 2024 are available here.

Life in Turkey: entertainment

Dinner in a middle-class restaurant for one person costs 12-15 euros, including a main course and a drink. A family dinner for three people in the same restaurant will cost 35-45 euros. In more upmarket restaurants, the cost of a dinner for one person can reach 25-30 euros. A kebab, popular in Turkey, costs 3-4 euros in an ordinary restaurant, and a cup of traditional Turkish coffee costs about 1 euro.

Going to the cinema for an evening show costs 6-8 euros. Daytime screenings are usually cheaper - 4-6 euros. Watching a film in 3D will cost more - from 8 to 12 euros. Many cinemas have special offers on weekdays, when tickets can be 30-40% cheaper. Students and pensioners can also count on discounts of up to 25%.

As for fitness services, prices vary significantly depending on the level of the gym and location. A monthly membership at a standard gym costs between 25 and 35 euros. In middle-class chain fitness centres, the cost of a monthly membership is 35-50 euros. Premium fitness clubs with a swimming pool and additional services offer monthly memberships at a price of 60 to 100 euros.

Read about the requirements and necessary procedures for opening a company in Turkey here.

Medical services in Turkey

Medical services in Turkey are of high quality, and doctors work in accordance with European standards.

In public hospitals, a visit to a general practitioner for foreigners costs about 15-20 euros. A consultation with a narrow specialist will cost 25-35 euros. It is important to note that in public hospitals, there may be difficulties with the language barrier, as not all doctors speak English.

In private clinics, prices are much higher. A consultation with a general practitioner costs between 40 and 60 euros, and an appointment with a specialist costs between 60 and 100 euros. Private clinics are usually better equipped and more likely to have English-speaking staff, making them more attractive to foreigners.

Dental services also have different prices in public and private clinics. In a public clinic, a simple filling costs between 20 and 30 euros, while in a private clinic it costs between 40 and 60 euros. Professional dental cleaning will cost 30-50 euros in a public clinic and 60-100 euros in a private clinic.

Calling an ambulance is free of charge for foreigners in emergency cases, but further treatment in a hospital is charged. The cost of one day's stay in a public hospital ranges from 50 to 100 euros, in a private hospital - from 150 to 300 euros, depending on the necessary procedures and the level of comfort of the ward.

Take care of your health when travelling abroad with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

Cost of living in Turkey per month

In large cities of Turkey, such as Istanbul, Antalya or Izmir, a family of three should expect monthly expenses of €1,500-2,000 for a comfortable stay. In smaller cities, this amount may be less - from 1,200 to 1,500 euros per month.

It is important to note that these amounts are calculated for an average comfortable standard of living. With a more economical approach, you can reduce your expenses by 20-30%, especially by choosing housing in less prestigious areas and cutting back on entertainment. On the other hand, if you choose more prestigious housing and an active social life, your expenses may increase by 30-50%.

Just a reminder. The law of Ukraine regulates the issue of travelling to Turkey and other countries of the world only if you have an insurance policy. Why you need insurance when travelling to Turkey, when it is mandatory and when you should extend the terms of your insurance contract, please follow the link.

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