Moving To Turkey From The UK

Moving to Turkey

If you are planning on moving to Turkey, whether to Istanbul, Ankara or Izmir, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your individual needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to Turkey All shipments to Turkey from the UK will have to clear customs on arrival and you must ensure you can provide all relevant customs documents required at destination. Your contact at your local Britannia office will assist you with which forms are necessary along with what supporting documentation you will need to provide. However, the responsibility for completion and submission of these forms now falls with the customer and it is advisable that all these formalities are prepared for prior to the move to avoid potential delays in transportation and additional charges.
	Turkey Customs Prohibitions and Restrictions In general, it is in your interest not to import the following items: Firearms & ammunition Inflammable goods & substances Plants & plant material Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise Narcotics and dangerous goods Offensive materials Alcohol & tobacco
	Transit Times to Turkey Groupage or shared load consignments usually take 8 to 12 weeks door to door. However, this can vary depending on volumes being shipped, customs or immigration delays and prevailing weather conditions. Sole use containers usually take 3 to 6 weeks door to door.
	Protecting Your Items for Transport to Turkey All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	Moving to Turkey with Pets Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures. Find out more about pet transport.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to Turkey While it is possible to import a car to Turkey duty free, there are certain restrictions and you might also need a work and residence permit and a Letter of Guarantee.
	Turkey Currency Transfer When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. IFX offers: International payments Regular overseas transfers Prepaid currency card Forward contracts More info on the IFX website.

Moving to Turkey With Britannia

• Your Move to Turkey with Britannia – Britannia has established a long standing and successful relationship with a network of dedicated removers in Turkey, who will assist you with your destination services. We can provide door to door delivery and can unpack and unwrap your goods. To ensure the safety of your consignment, we can also provide bar coding and computer tracking.
• Customs Clearance – It normally takes ten to fifteen days for customs clearance and delivery. The time taken to clear goods through customs can be affected by Government policy, X-raying of goods, physical inspection, volume of traffic and the levy of any import duties or taxes.
• Additional Removal Services – If you require additional removal services when moving to Turkey, Britannia is authorised to provide comprehensive marine insurance, and arrange international storage or pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to Turkey, you can request a quote, read more about our European and international removals, or contact us for more information.

Living in Turkey

Turkey is a popular and multicultural holiday and expat destination. Its vibrant cities, wide range of landscapes and unique historical sites offer enriching experiences and an adventurous lifestyle. Whether you want to move to a huge multicultural city with a combination of Western and Turkish culture, settle down in the countryside, visit stunning historical places or see amazing architecture every day, Turkey would be a perfect destination.

Located between Europe and Asia, Turkey stretches across the Anatolian peninsula. It is bordered by eight countries and is separated between the two continents by the Bosphorus Strait. The predominant religion of the country is Islam, and Turkey is a democratic, and secular constitutional republic. Turkey has close ties with the West and is member of the NATO and the Council of Europe, while it also maintains economic and political relations with Middle Eastern and African countries. Turkey is a major regional economic power, and lying between two continents, it also has a crucial geostrategic importance.

While some might find it initially hard to get used to the different culture and to learn the Turkish language, Turkey is an exciting expat destination. Fusing the modern and the ancient, Istanbul is a unique and extremely vibrant city. Further across Turkey, there are a wide range of architectural wonders, stunning landscapes, archaeological sites, beaches, and cities that will captivate you.

Turkey Visas

To move to Turkey permanently and be able to work, you will need both a work visa, issued by Turkish embassies, and a work permit, issued by Turkey’s Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Once you have a work permit, you can apply for a work visa. This visa will typically need a Turkish employer to act as your sponsor, so you’ll need to have secured employment before you apply. Both the work permit and work visa will typically be valid for on year, after which they can be renewed.

After you have lived in Turkey for eight years continuously, you can apply for a long-term residence permit. This is similar to a permanent residence permit in other countries, giving you rights for indefinite stay.

Working in Turkey

The Turkish economy is growing consistently, with developing business and finance sectors, and multinational companies, and these can provide ideal employment opportunities for many expats.

UK expats in Turkey can find opportunities in a range of fields, especially in sectors where native English speakers or specialised skills are in demand. This can include teaching English, tourism and hospitality, and international trade.

Working in Turkey as an expat offers a unique blend of traditional and modern workplace culture, often influenced by Turkish customs, hospitality, and a growing business environment that’s adapting to global standards. Workplaces in Turkey often have a relatively formal and hierarchical structure, with a respect for seniority. However, there is also an emphasis places on teamwork and community. Tea and coffee breaks are a regular part of office life and seen as a way to connect with colleagues.

Cost of Living in Turkey

Living costs in Turkey will naturally depend on the region but are generally lower than in the rest of Europe. While Istanbul and tourist resorts might be as expensive as the UK, this will entirely depend on your lifestyle and on where you live. Essential food stuffs and fresh products are typically significantly cheaper than in Western Europe.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Turkey is 41.7% lower than in the UK, not including rent costs. Rent alone is 58.4% lower in Turkey than in the UK. Salaries reflect this difference – the average monthly wage in Turkey is 77% lower than in the UK.

You can check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Turkey below. Prices are shown in Turkish lira and converted to UK pounds alongside the price in the UK so you can see how costs match up.

Interesting Facts About Turkey

• Istanbul is the only city in the world built on two continents.
• Turkey has a very famous and distinctive traditional cuisine, which is a fusion of Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines.
• Turkey is the only secular Muslim country amongst all the Muslim countries in the world.
• The oldest human settlement from around 7500 BC is located in Turkey.
• The first church built by man is located in Turkey.

Choose Britannia for Your Turkey Relocation

If you are thinking about moving to Turkey and want to find out more about our international removal services or request a quote, you can call us on 0845 6006661 or email sales@britannia-movers.co.uk. Our team will be happy to discuss how we can help you with your international relocation.