Moving Guide

A vergi numarası (tax identification number) is Turkey's equivalent of a US Social Security Number or UK National Insurance number. You need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a utility contract, getting a phone contract, purchasing property, and applying for a residence permit (ikamet). The good news: it's extremely easy to get - walk into any Vergi Dairesi (tax office) with your passport, tell them you need a yabancı vergi numarası (foreigner's tax number), and you'll have it in 15 minutes. No appointment needed, no residence permit required.

Application preparation takes 2–7 days (gathering documents, getting health insurance, notarising the lease). The DGMM appointment (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr) is booked online - wait times vary from 1 week to 2 months depending on the city and season (Istanbul is busiest). At the appointment you submit your documents. The permit card is typically mailed within 3–8 weeks of the appointment. Total timeline from arrival to having the card in hand: usually 6–12 weeks. The permit is dated from your appointment date, not the card receipt date - so your 1-year period starts immediately.

Plan at least 3–6 months in advance. The key steps: (1) microchip your pet; (2) give the rabies vaccination; (3) wait at least 30 days, then do the rabies titre blood test at an accredited lab (minimum result: 0.5 IU/ml); (4) wait at least 3 months after the titre test before entering Turkey; (5) give tick/flea and deworming treatment 24–120 hours before departure; (6) get a health certificate from your vet within 48 hours of the flight. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order. Dogs and cats must enter through an airport or port with a veterinary border inspection post - check in advance.

Many banks will open a basic account with just your passport and tax number - no residence permit required. However, individual bank policies vary: some branches of Garanti BBVA and İş Bankası have done this; others require the residence permit. Foreign documents (bank statements, address proof from overseas) must be notarised, apostilled, and certified by a sworn translator - budget 1,500–3,000 TRY for translation and notarisation. Your best approach: try multiple banks; start with Garanti BBVA which has a reputation for being foreigner-friendly. Having a Turkish-speaking helper significantly speeds up the process.

The most common challenges reported by expats: (1) Language barrier - Turkish is genuinely difficult and bureaucracy is Turkish-only; budget for a translator or bilingual helper for the first month; (2) Ikamet appointment waits - in Istanbul, appointments can be 4–8 weeks out; apply early; (3) Notarisation requirements - almost every official document needs notarising and translating, which takes time and cost; (4) Lira volatility - manage your money carefully; keep savings in hard currency; (5) Cultural adjustment - punctuality is flexible; relationships and trust-building precede business. Most expats say after 3–6 months, these frictions become background noise and Turkey's considerable charms dominate.