What is important to know about moving to Turkey from Russia

Turkey is associated with beach holidays, the bustling bazaars of Istanbul and the cosmic landscapes of Cappadocia. There is a fairly large Russian-speaking community, a warm climate and relatively low prices, so the country can be called a promising option for moving.

The documents

To enter Turkey, Russians need only a foreign passport, as well as a certificate of vaccination from coronavirus. European drugs and Sputnik are accepted, but the vaccination must be done at least two weeks before crossing the border.

An alternative is a PCR test (valid for 72 hours, in English), a certificate of COVID-19 postponed for six months or an antigen test (valid for 48 hours, in English). For children under 12 years of age, tests, certificates and vaccinations are not required.

Also, within 72 hours before entering, you need to go to the website of the Turkish Ministry of Health and fill out a form (there are versions in Turkish and English). After that, the system will generate a HES code: you need to show it at the check-in desk at the airport, as well as present it at the entrance to shopping centers, cinemas, restaurants and other public places. You can store the vaccination code and data in the Hayat Eve Sığar application.

Citizens of Russia can spend up to 60 consecutive days in Turkey without a visa. At the same time, it is allowed to stay in the country for no more than 90 days every six months.

If you understand that you want to stay in the country for more time, you can apply for a residence permit (permit, or ikamet). Service available online, and, according to local laws, once you apply, your stay becomes legal, even if the “visa-free” deadlines have already passed.

There are many reasons for obtaining a residence permit. The simplest options are a rental agreement for six months or a year or more, a guarantee from a Turkish citizen, certified by a notary. Buying real estate or starting a business is more expensive, a student or humanitarian residence permit is not suitable for everyone.

But those who have moved to the country note that it makes sense to immediately contact the agency for paperwork. They will help you fill out forms, choose insurance, notarize the papers and sign up for the filing of documents. Agency services cost from 50-100 dollars, but since the demand is now high, the price is also growing.

Road

The easiest way to get to Turkey is by plane. Ticket prices from Moscow to Antalya start from 21 320 rubles. To Istanbul with a short change in Antalya - a little more expensive, direct flights - from 37 178 rubles.

But when planning your budget, keep in mind that every day fewer companies are ready to work in Russia. Therefore, if you take tickets in advance, you can save money, but the risk of flight cancellation increases.

Language

Official language country is Turkish. But thanks to the development of tourism, many residents of large cities speak Russian and English. Finding specialists who will understand you without an interpreter is often not a problem.

Difficulties can arise only in remote areas and small towns. However, if you plan to stay at least for a few months, it’s definitely worth learning the language at the level of “I can explain myself in a store and a cafe” - this greatly facilitates communication.

Money

The official currency of the country is the Turkish lira. 100 lira is 6.71 US dollars at the current exchange rate.

In major cities and resorts, dollars and euros are also accepted. It is difficult to exchange rubles now - or at least not profitable.

Pay with Visa and Mastercard issued in Russia from March 10 it is forbidden. They also practically do not work with the UnionPay system.

But if you have a "World" card, it makes sense to try. Such cards are serviced in Turkey by state-owned banks Vakıf Bank, Ziraat Bankası and private Iş Bankası. Mir will most likely work in their ATMs and terminals.

If possible, it is better to open a bank account to which the card will be linked immediately in Turkish lira - this will help to avoid double conversion and save on fees. For example, Tinkoff has such a service.

It will be difficult to issue a local bank card without a residence permit in Turkey. The legal way is to contact the tax office and get a local analogue of the TIN - Vergi Numarası. The service is free, but since there are more and more applications in recent days, it may be delayed.

Those who have received a residence permit can open cards in many large banks. But you need to have an official registration with you at a specific address in Turkey. According to reviews in thematic chats, the easiest way is to contact Deniz Bank, Kuveyt Turk and Ziraat Bankasi - these organizations are more loyal to foreigners.

Housing

You can rent an apartment or apartments for the first time on Airbnb. Booking.com does not work domestically.

Prices for renting rooms in Istanbul and Antalya start from 1.5-2 thousand rubles per night. For 2-3 thousand rubles a day, you can find a studio apartment, and full-fledged two-room apartments usually cost from 4-5 thousand rubles.

In non-resort areas, you can rent housing much cheaper. But the demand is now very high, so the situation is changing every day - and not in favor of those who decide to move.

For longer stays, look for options on the site. Sahibinden. If you do not have a Turkish IP address, you will have to register: you only need an email to which a confirmation code will be sent.

Prices for a two-room apartment or an euro-bedroom apartment (bedroom + kitchen-living room) in Istanbul start from 5,500-6,000 Turkish liras (370-400 US dollars) per month. Utilities in a comfort-class residential complex will cost an additional $200 per month on average.

Keep in mind that not all hosts speak English, so you may need the help of an interpreter or someone from the locals. The area is of great importance: for example, in Antalya there are many Russian speakers in Konyaalti, and if you want to stay in Cappadocia, you should pay attention to the town of Urgup.

Food

Food prices in Turkey depend on the "resort" of the city and the popularity of the area. But if you choose places for locals (perhaps there will be a menu only in Turkish, and the staff does not know English), you can save money and enjoy the flavor. So, in Istanbul there are many authentic establishments in the area of ​​the Egyptian and Grand Bazaars.

You can also search on the map for locantasi, or locants, Turkish canteens with national and European dishes. The average check for lunch in such establishments in Istanbul will be 40-50 liras (2.7-3.4 dollars) per person, in the resort Kemer - 60-70 liras (4-4.8 dollars). A traditional kahwalta breakfast can be safely taken alone for two - it costs about 20 liras (1.3 dollars), but includes many local dishes.

We advise you not to order many items at once. Turkish cuisine quite satisfying, besides, they bring a tortilla, salad and water to the main course.

In general, Turkey is a paradise for street food fans. It's cheap, fresh and delicious. Kebabs, durum, kofte, kokorech, menemen, doner are sold almost everywhere. You can also easily find fried or boiled corn, balyk ekmek (fish sandwich with vegetables), crispy simita bagels, baked chestnuts, stuffed mussels and kumpir - a giant stuffed potato. A portion of street food rarely costs more than 10–20 liras (0.7–1.3 dollars).

Also in Turkey, supermarket chains are developed - Şok, Migros, Carrefour, A101, Bim. Approximate prices:

• A bottle of water (1 or 1.5 liters) is about 1 lira ($0.07).
• Bread - 1.5-2.5 lira (0.10-0.17 dollars).
• A pack of pasta - 2-3 lira (0.13-0.20 dollars).
• A bottle of yogurt or milk is 3–4 liras (0.20–0.26 dollars).
• A dozen eggs - 5 lira (0.34 dollars).
• Chicken fillet - 20 lire ($1.35).

But for fruits and vegetables it is better to go to the market. Average prices:

• Oranges, lemons and tangerines - 2-3 lira (0.13-0.20 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Carrots, tomatoes, apples - 4 lira (0.26 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Boiled corn, avocado - 3 lira (0.20 dollars) for 1 pc.
• Potatoes, onions - 5 lira (0.34 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Bananas - 6 lira (0.40 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Eggplant - 8 lira (0.54 dollars) per 1 kg.
• Strawberries, prunes, dried apricots, chestnuts - 15–20 liras (1–1.35 dollars) per 1 kg.

Note that prices may vary in different cities and retail chains.

Connection

The largest Turkish telecom operators - Turkcell, Vodafone And Turk Telekom. They have coverage almost all over the country.

Without a residence permit, they will only sell you a tourist SIM card - and they will most likely still ask for a passport. Such cards often turn off after 21 days (less often - after 90 days), but sometimes tourists are lucky, and the connection continues to work.

The disadvantage of a tourist card is that it is relatively expensive - from 130-140 lira (about $ 10). The price usually includes 10-20 GB of Internet and 200 minutes of calls. Then you will have to replenish your account in the amount of 30–50 liras (2–3 dollars) per month, depending on the package chosen. Or buy additional gigabytes if the tariffs are used up (on average, this is $ 5-7 for 20 GB).

Another important point: after 120 days in the country, a SIM card slot in your smartphone may be blocked. To prevent this from happening, you need to register IMEI in the electronic population database of Turkey E-Delvet. But this requires a local residence permit, tax number and tax payment (about 2,000 lira, or $134).

Of course, if you have a smartphone with two SIM cards, you can use the second slot. The alternative is to buy a new gadget locally. But you should not reflash IMEI from local craftsmen.

Work

You can start looking for a job in Turkey from the tourism sector. It often does not require a residence permit and knowledge of the Turkish language. During the holiday season, vacancies for guides, animators, maids, waiters open.

If you know at least a basic level of Turkish, you can try to find a job on local job sites: Yenibiris, Kariyer, Jobs in Istanbul. Nannies and nurses, nurses, seamstresses, manicurists, hairdressers, English teachers, builders, engineers and designers have good chances of success. To work legally, you need to apply for a work permit (issued by the Ministry of Labor in Ankara) or a work visa (provided by a representative of the Turkish Consulate in Russia).

But, speaking objectively, the flow of people leaving Russia for Turkey is increasing, so after the move, people who work remotely will feel better. If you have a financial cushion, it may be worth taking a few months to brush up on your knowledge and get a new profession that is not tied to geolocation.

To start an independent business in Turkey, you can register Şahıs Şirket - an analogue of the Russian IP. Depending on the type and format of doing business, there can be many nuances here, so it is better to enlist the support of an accountant or lawyer who is familiar with local legislation and mentality.

Health

No health insurance is required to enter Turkey. But if you plan to spend more time here than is allowed without a visa, according to the law, it still needs to be issued.

Without a policy, you will only receive emergency assistance. Insurance, on the other hand, fully or partially covers the cost of appointments with doctors and other services at the clinic, as well as the purchase of prescription drugs.

The price of a policy for a residence permit for a year is in the range of 150–1,000 liras ($10–67), depending on the set of options and the franchise. An analogue of the Russian VHI will cost 3-6 thousand liras per year (67-135 dollars).

In general, medicine is well developed in the country. There are many high-class clinics in Turkey, and medical tourism is popular. People come to get plastic surgery hair transplantundergo treatment for cancer and other serious diseases. Without insurance, an appointment with a therapist will cost an average of about 1,000 lire ($67), a blood test - 500 lira ($33), a day in a hospital - 4,000 lira ($280).

Service

Uber and the local Bitaxi service operate in Turkey, but sometimes you have to wait 20–30 minutes or more for a car. The good news is that you can stop a private trader on any busy street, it will take a maximum of 5-10 minutes.

By law, all taxis must be metered, but you need to make sure that the taxi driver resets the data after the previous trip. The minimum price for traveling in Istanbul is 20 lira ($1.35), the cost of 1 km is from 5 lira ($0.34). Trips to resort areas and from the airport or back will cost 1.5–2 times more. In addition, you will have to pay 8-10 lira (0.54-0.67 dollars) for entering the bridge or tunnel.

The easiest way to search for specialists in manicure, haircuts and coloring, eyelash extensions in Turkey is through the Russian-speaking communities on Telegram or Instagram accounts using the appropriate tags. Prices are comparable with Russian ones.

You can find a housekeeper on the website Elemanyonlendir. True, most of the cleaners here speak only Turkish.

There are food delivery services. Yemeksepeti (works in many cities) and Zomato (available in almost all major cities). You can also order dishes from international franchises, such as Domino's Pizza.