Lower rents than in many Mediterranean cities, a residence route through property and a long coast on one side; 29.77% annual inflation and a weaker lira on the other. A practical look at who feels at home in Turkey and how to plan for it.
In brief
As of 7 November 2026, Turkey is a practical choice for people who earn in euros or dollars, want a long Mediterranean coast and a lower rent level than in many European resort cities, and are comfortable planning around a fast-moving economy. Annual consumer inflation was 29.77% in October 2026 according to TurkStat as reported by the press, and the InterNations Expat Insider ranked Turkey 29th of 31 countries in 2026, up from 45th of 46 in 2025 (the rankings have different numbers of countries, so only the direction is a fair reading). A residence permit is available through a property purchase from USD 200,000. This is a decision guide, not legal or tax advice.
What moving to Turkey gives you
- Lower rents than in many Mediterranean cities. Guides disagree, but they cluster: a central one-bedroom in Istanbul is reported at USD 500 to 1,200 a month and in Antalya at USD 400 to 600. One comparison site puts Antalya about 16% cheaper overall than Istanbul. These are aggregator and agent figures, not an official statistic, so treat them as a range to check on listings. Our cost-of-living article has a fuller budget.
- A residence route through property. Sources for 2026 agree on a threshold of USD 200,000, in force since 16 October 2023, under Article 31 of Law 6458 (the short-term residence permit). Guides disagree on whether the first permit is for one or two years, and on whether letting the home out affects the permit, so ask a lawyer before you buy for this purpose. Our Turkey citizenship article covers the related citizenship route.
- Purchasing power for foreign-currency earners. When the lira weakens, euros and dollars buy more locally. One dated quote gives 47.74 lira per US dollar on 11 August 2026, and earlier in the year the lira hit a record low near 44.9 per dollar in April. This is an argument, not a guarantee, because local prices rise too.
- Improving sentiment among expats. The 2026 Expat Insider ranks Turkey 29th of 31 countries from about 7,800 respondents of 162 nationalities. In 2025 it was 45th of 46. The ranking is still in the lower half, so read it as a country on a rising path, not as a leader.
- A big, diverse market with several lifestyles. Istanbul offers a large metropolis, Antalya a resort coast. Our expat-life and why-expats-love articles describe them in more detail.
What to prepare for, and how
- Inflation. TurkStat reported 29.77% annual inflation in October 2026 and 2.58% for the month, according to press reports of the central bank and statistics office data. Independent group ENAG reported a much higher figure, 45.12%, and one outlet reported 27.8%, so numbers differ by source. Practical answer: keep a part of your savings in a foreign currency, review prices every few months and read the lease clauses on rent increases.
- Rent in lira versus foreign currency. One site reports that Antalya rents rose 28% in lira over 2025. Ask whether the contract is in lira or in a foreign currency, and what limits apply to increases.
- The exchange rate. If you earn in lira, a weaker lira reduces your purchasing power for imports and travel. If you earn in foreign currency the picture is different. Match your income currency to your expenses.
- The residence permit. Apply as soon as you have a registered address and follow the order in our first-30-days checklist. If you plan the property route, confirm the threshold, the permit length and the rules on letting with a lawyer.
- Health cover. We did not search Turkish healthcare costs for this article. Read our health-insurance article for what residence permits usually require, and plan private cover for the first months.
- Language. Turkish is the working language of offices. A sworn translator and a local helper for the first weeks make bureaucracy easier.
Who Turkey suits, and who may prefer another country
Turkey tends to suit remote workers and entrepreneurs who earn in foreign currency, retirees with a foreign pension who like a warm coast, and families who want a lower rent level near the sea. It may be less comfortable for people whose whole income is in lira, for those who need predictable prices over many years, or for anyone who wants an easy, English-speaking administration from the first day. For them, Georgia, Montenegro or Cyprus, covered in our other decision guides, may be a better first look.
A first 90 days plan
- Days 1 to 30: arrive, rent short term, follow the first-30-days checklist, register your address and arrange private health cover.
- Days 31 to 60: test Istanbul or Antalya for a few weeks each, ask about lira and foreign-currency leases, and set up a bank account.
- Days 61 to 90: choose a district, sign a longer lease, and think about a purchase only after you have lived through at least one price review.
How a property purchase fits
You do not need to buy to move. If you do, our guide on what you can buy in Turkey for 70,000 to 350,000 euro shows what each budget gets, and the article on buying as a Russian, Belarusian, Kazakh or Ukrainian citizen explains the rules. To use the home yourself for part of the year and let it for the rest, see the guide to buying where you holiday. Related reading: the hub on whether to move abroad at all, the criteria and self-test for choosing a country and the trial year guide.
FAQ
Is Turkey cheaper than Cyprus? Reported rents suggest so: a central one-bedroom is reported at USD 400 to 600 in Antalya and USD 500 to 1,200 in Istanbul, against about EUR 1,339 in central Limassol in January 2026. These are aggregator figures, so check current listings.
Is inflation a reason not to move? It is a reason to plan, not necessarily to stay away. Earning in foreign currency, keeping savings in a stable currency and reading lease clauses are the usual answers.
Can I get a residence permit by buying property? Sources for 2026 agree on a USD 200,000 threshold under Article 31 of Law 6458, but disagree on permit length and on letting rules, so confirm with a lawyer before buying.
Should I buy first or rent first? Rent first. A few months in the city you like show you the prices, the neighbourhood and the paperwork before you commit.