What are the cons of living in Turkey?

Cons of living in Turkey One of the main challenges for many people living in Turkey is the inability to work without a work permit, which can be difficult to obtain. If you plan to work for a Turkish company, the employer must demonstrate that no Turkish citizen is qualified for the position before hiring a foreigner.

What are the biggest problems in Turkey?

With Turkey suffering through an economic crisis and major earthquakes in early 2023, Erdogan and the AKP were challenged in presidential and parliamentary elections held that May by a grouping of diverse opposition parties, led by the Republican People's Party (CHP). Erdogan and the AKP-led coalition prevailed.

Do and don'ts in Turkey?

Why are expats leaving Turkey?

People are leaving Turkey for a variety of reasons, which can be broadly categorized into economic, political, social, and environmental factors: Economic Challenges: Turkey has faced significant economic difficulties, including high inflation, currency devaluation, and rising unemployment.

Is it cheaper to live in Turkey or the UK?

In fact, according to Numbeo, Turkey's cost of living is approximately 45% lower than that of the UK, making it an attractive destination for those looking to maximise their investments while enjoying a high quality of life.

Downsides of living in Turkey 🇹🇷👎🏻

Is moving to Turkey a good idea?

Is moving to Turkey a good idea? It depends on what you want to get out of the experience. If you're looking to take in a new culture, explore historic areas, enjoy the thriving big cities, and have access to fantastic healthcare and education, then moving to Turkey is a great idea.

Do they prefer English money in Turkey?

The local currency in Turkey is the Turkish lira and each lira is divided into 100 kuruş. Some businesses in tourist areas might accept other currencies as well, such as euros, US dollars or pounds sterling. Although that can seem appealing, you should know that they're most likely including a markup.

What are the negatives of living in Turkey?

Cons of living in Turkey

One of the main challenges for many people living in Turkey is the inability to work without a work permit, which can be difficult to obtain.

Where do most British expats live in Turkey?

One popular region, Fethiye, includes areas like Oludeniz, Hisaronu, Ovacik, and Çalış. Fethiye, well-loved for the stunning coastline, relaxed lifestyle, and affordability, has well-established British expat communities, with many businesses employing English-speaking staff.

Why are people avoiding Turkey?

Terrorism in Turkey

Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey. Most terrorist attacks have occurred in southeast Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul.

What is frowned upon in Turkey?

While bars are common throughout tourist towns, public drinking and drunkenness is less acceptable in other more rural parts of the country. Public displays of affection are also sometimes frowned upon if too overt. In Turkey, as is the case in many places, it's forbidden to photograph military camps.

Where to avoid in Turkey?

Turkey-Syria border

FCDO advises against all travel to within 10km of the border with Syria due to fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.

Why won't my phone work in Turkey?

Your phone or hotspot must be able to operate in the 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz, and/or 3G 2100 Mhz frequency band(s), or it will not work when accessing a mobile operator or making local calls in Turkey.

Is there a drug problem in Turkey?

Drug abuse is still viewed as a relatively small problem in Turkey, but health officials acknowledge that heroin and cocaine addiction are increasing steadily and that there is a potential of further growth.

What's happening in Turkey in 2025?

Protests began throughout Turkey on 19 March 2025 following the detention and arrest of Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and more than 100 other opposition members and protesters by Turkish authorities.

What are the major faults in Turkey?

Turkey sits on top of the North Anatolian Fault (NAF) and East Anatolian Fault (EAF) systems, making it particularly susceptible to earthquakes.

Where is the posh part of Turkey?

Perched on the southwestern edge of Turkey's Mediterranean coastline, Kalkan boasts sophistication and captivates house hunters with beautiful views and timeless charm. Kalkan offers escapes for discerning visitors seeking indulgence by boasting opulent homes, world-class restaurants, and sailing adventures.

Why are Brits moving to Turkey?

Turkey's always been a favourite with British tourists, who have been travelling to beach destinations on the Turkish Mediterranean for decades. In the 2000s, they began buying property, realising the destination had as much to offer in terms of lifestyle - if not more - than Spain, and at much lower prices.

Where do rich Turkish people live?

Yeniköy, Bebek, Kuruçeşme, and Tarabya (in European Istanbul), Beykoz and Kandili, Vaniköy, Anadoluhisarı and Kanlıca (in the Asian/Anatolian Istanbul) are the most prestigious neighborhoods.

What is not good about Turkey?

Turkey meat may contain toxic chemicals and life-threatening bacteria. Processed turkey meat appears to come pre-packaged with cancer causing agents, containing dangerously high levels of nitrosamines – the chemical compounds considered to be the most carcinogenic agents in cigarette smoke.

Why is life expectancy low in Turkey?

Life expectancy in Turkey is 75.6 years for males and 81.3 years for females, and the life expectancy of the total population is 78.3 years. The three most common causes of mortality in the country are cardiovascular diseases (35.4%), cancer (15.2%), respiratory diseases (13.5%).

Is Turkey classed as a poor country?

Türkiye's performance since 2000 has been impressive. Macroeconomic and fiscal stability were at the heart of its performance, enabling increased employment and incomes and making Türkiye an upper-middle-income country. Poverty incidence halved over 2002–12, and extreme poverty fell even faster.

Is much English spoken in Turkey?

Turkish is the official language of Turkey and English is widely spoken in Istanbul; visitors are often surprised by the relatively high level of English spoken by most Turks. An attempt to use Turkish is very much appreciated and considered good manners, though.

Is the English pound strong in Turkey?

The exchange rate for British pound sterling to Turkish liras is currently 55.5593 today, reflecting a 0.000% change since yesterday. Over the past week, the value of British pound sterling has remained relatively stable, with a 0.335% increase compared to its value 7 days ago.