Turkey expat guide

Indoor smoking is still common in some social settings. Law vibe is fairly formal and rule-aware.

Minimum budget: rural $600/mo, urban $1300/mo. Medical insurance: $600/yr.

Auto: Russian licenses are usually accepted for short tourist stays if readable, but an IDP, Turkish translation is smart for rental and police friction. Rentals are roughly €25-65/day for Egea, Clio, i20 class, with automatics, SUVs much higher in peak coastal season. Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia crossings need explicit permission and insurance; Syria, Iraq, Iran, Armenia are not casual rental-car plans.

Smoking: Indoor smoking is still common in some social settings.

Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is formal and rule-aware: expect visible order and some bureaucratic seriousness, with less casual flexibility than in softer places.

Zones

• Istanbul & Aegean Coast: Ferry culture, Aegean cafés, dense coastal life, resort towns and mild sea air. Mild coastal climate with ferries, forests and sea air. Summers average 26–33°C while winters stay around 5–13°C with rainy gray stretches and occasional snow.
• Central Plateau: Drier inland cities, university pockets, conservative towns and big steppe avenues. Dry inland climate with open hills and sharp seasonal contrast. Summers reach 28–36°C while winters often fall below freezing with snow and icy winds.
• Eastern Mountains: Rugged alpine regions, fortress towns, lake cities, snowier winters and slower roads. Harsh alpine winters with deep snow and cold around -10 to 2°C. Summers stay short and mild around 18–28°C with green valleys and mountain lakes.