The best months to move to Turkey are September – November. Mediterranean coast (hot dry summers). Istanbul: four seasons (0°C winters, 30°C summers). Eastern Turkey: continental extremes. Antalya: mildest winters.

Seasonal planning guide — weather, visa timing, rental markets & expert tips

Last updated: June 2026

The best time to move to Turkey is September – November. Mediterranean coast (hot dry summers). Istanbul: four seasons (0°C winters, 30°C summers). Eastern Turkey: continental extremes. Antalya: mildest winters. Avoid moving during July – August (40°C in Istanbul, extreme heat in south) if possible.

Best Time to Move

September – November

Avoid If Possible

July – August (40°C in Istanbul, extreme heat in south)

Turkey Climate Overview

Mediterranean coast (hot dry summers). Istanbul: four seasons (0°C winters, 30°C summers). Eastern Turkey: continental extremes. Antalya: mildest winters.

Season-by-Season Guide

Spring (Mar–May)

10–22°C

Istanbul: tulip festival in April — beautiful arrival time
Antalya: pleasant before extreme summer heat
Good time for residence permit applications

Summer (Jun–Aug)

28–40°C

Istanbul: hot but manageable (30°C)
Antalya/Bodrum: extreme heat (38–42°C)
Tourist season — short-term rents spike on coast

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

12–26°C

Best time to move — warm, less crowded, great food season
Rental prices drop after summer tourists leave
Residence permit (ikamet) processing faster off-peak

Winter (Dec–Feb)

2–10°C

Istanbul: cold and grey (5–10°C, occasional snow)
Antalya: mild (12–17°C) — popular winter base
Cheapest rents across the country — negotiate in TRY

Visa & Immigration

Tourist visa: 90/180. Short-term ikamet: income req ~49,545 TL/mo (1.5× min wage). NEIGHBORHOODS WITH 25%+ FOREIGNERS CLOSED to new permits (popular Istanbul/Antalya). 120-day travel limit strictly enforced. Citizenship by Investment: $400K real estate, 3-yr hold (sale-restriction annotation), SPK appraisal + Turkish bank account + Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate required. DN visa: $3,000/mo, ages 21-55, university degree, 1+1 yr (renewal under review). NEW crypto tax: 10% withholding + 0.03% transaction tax. Min wage 2026: 33,030 TL gross (~$655 net).

Rental Market

Istanbul 1-BR centre $880-1,200; outside city $500-800; furnished expat areas (Nişantaşı/Bebek/Cihangir) ₺15K-25K ($430-715). Antalya more affordable. USD/TRY ~42.8 (May 2026). Inflation Nov 2025: 31.1% (expected ~25% end-2026, target 16%). Rents adjust annually — negotiate in lira.

Turkey Relocation Timeline

6–12 months before

Research Turkey visa options and residency pathways. Consult an immigration lawyer. Start gathering documents (apostilles, translations, police clearances).

4–6 months before

Submit your Turkey visa application. Arrange international health insurance. Open a multi-currency bank account (Wise, Revolut). Start learning the local language.

2–3 months before

Book temporary accommodation in Turkey for your first 2–4 weeks. Arrange international shipping if needed. Downsize and sell belongings. Get apostilles on remaining documents.

1 month before

Book flights to Turkey. Set up mail forwarding. Cancel local subscriptions and memberships. Download offline maps and translation apps.

First week in country

Get a local SIM card. Open a local bank account. Register with local authorities. Explore neighborhoods before signing a long-term lease.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to move to Turkey?

The best months to move to Turkey are September – November. Mediterranean coast (hot dry summers). Istanbul: four seasons (0°C winters, 30°C summers). Eastern Turkey: continental extremes. Antalya: mildest winters.

What visa do I need for Turkey?

How much does rent cost in Turkey?

When should I avoid moving to Turkey?

Try to avoid moving during July – August (40°C in Istanbul, extreme heat in south). This is typically the most challenging period due to weather extremes, peak pricing, or administrative slowdowns.

Best Time to Move to Turkey (2026)