One of Most Popular Destinations for Digital Nomads: Turkey

Turkey is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads coming from all around the world. In recent years, the number of digital nomads in Turkey has constantly increased. There are several reasons for this situation.

The first and foremost reason for this situation is Turkey’s popularity as a holiday destination. Turkey is located on the historical peninsula Anatolia, at the junction point of Europe and Asia continents. As a result, Turkey has a very deep-rooted history.

All civilizations that have ruled the Anatolian land have left their impact on the region. As a result, Turkish land, as we know it now, has a vibrant cultural heritage.

Every year, millions of people from all around the world come to Turkey to explore its rich history and diverse cultural heritage. In addition, Turkey has many natural wonders that are worth seeing. When added to its enviable climate and geography, it’s no wonder Turkey is one of the best countries to live in throughout the world.

Digital nomads are not bound by a place to make a living. For this reason, they usually prefer to move to the country that they have always dreamt of living in. In this aspect, Turkey is one of the top countries. Because Turkey provides many benefits to remote workers on top of the above mentioned reasons.

Benefits of Working Remotely in Turkey

Turkey provides many benefits to foreigners remote working in Turkey. One of the key benefits for foreigners living in Turkey while working for an employer outside Turkey is the low cost of living.

The cost of living in Turkey is much lower than in Europe or the USA. Though it would depend on the lifestyle, the average monthly cost of living in Turkey is around 1000€. In addition, there are many affordable accommodation options for digital nomads.

Another key benefit of living in Turkey as a digital nomad is the rich transportation options. Located at the junction point of Europe and Asia, Turkey is the best starting point for traveling worldwide.

Turkey is well connected to the rest of the world, with many international airports. In addition, the country has a well developed transportation infrastructure throughout. So, digital nomads can explore every corner of the country very easily.

Another one of the benefits of living in Turkey for digital nomads is the remote worker-friendly environment. Most digital nomads work remotely in various sectors. In Turkey, there are many coworking spaces for digital nomads who want to socialize at the same time. Especially in metropolitan cities. Even if there aren’t coworking spaces in all cities, many of them have work-friendly cafes.

Last but not least, it’s very easy for remote workers to settle in Turkey. Turkey’s visa fee is very low compared to other countries. Also, the legal procedures are handled very smoothly and in quite a short time if you get professional guidance.

How to Move to Turkey for Digital Nomads

Unfortunately in Turkey, digital nomad visa is not available for foreign remote workers. The Turkish government has not prepared a specific visa for digital nomads yet. So, foreign remote workers should obtain a residence permit in Turkey through other options for staying in the country.

Digital nomads who want to use Turkey as the starting point for traveling around the world can use the tourist visa without a problem. Turkey’s tourist visa provides the right to stay in the country for 90 days in a 180-day period. Digital nomads who want to stay in Turkey for longer periods should obtain a short term residence permit.

The most popular types of Turkish residence permits among digital nomads are touristic residence permits, business residence permits, and residence by buying real estate. Another practical option is the family residence permit in Turkey. Remote working foreign relative (valid for only first-degree relatives) of a Turkish citizen or resident can obtain residency in Turkey through this way.

Remote workers who meet the application conditions for the aforementioned visa categories can get their Turkish residence permit card in a quite short amount of time. You can contact our legal consultants to get detailed information about visa requirements and how to apply for Turkey’s residence permit.

Popular Destinations for Digital Nomads in Turkey

If you have decided to move to Turkey as a digital nomad, all that’s left to do is now picking up a place to stay. We have listed the most popular destinations in Turkey for digital nomads below. The cities were picked by taking several indicators into account. These indicators are as follows; accommodation options, amenities, transportation options, cost of living, and digital nomad friendliness.

• İstanbul

İstanbul is the most populated city in Turkey and also, without a doubt, the most famous city in the country. The city attracts millions of tourists every year with its rich cultural heritage, colorful and lively lifestyle, and magnificent seaside location.
It’s also the most digital nomad-friendly city in Turkey in terms of amenities, transportation options, coworking spaces, and foreign-friendly communities. As the country’s largest economic hub, İstanbul has all kinds of amenities a digital nomad may need for a comfortable life. However, you should keep in mind that İstanbul is not the cheapest city in Turkey in terms of housing options.

• Antalya

Antalya is also one of the most popular cities in Turkey, both among tourists and digital nomads. The city is located on the southern coast of Turkey, on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

Antalya is perhaps the most beautiful city in Turkey, with its unique landscape consisting of sandy beaches, crystal clear sea, mighty mountains, lush pine forests, waterfalls, and streams. There are many foreigners who decide to leave their home country to settle in Turkey upon seeing the beauty of Antalya.

Although it’s not as big as İstanbul or Ankara, Antalya is also a metropolitan city. All kinds of amenities and facilities are available. In addition, Antalya is more affordable in terms of housing compared to İstanbul.

• Ankara

Ankara is the capital city of Turkey. As the capital city and the second largest city in Turkey, Ankara also has all kinds of amenities and services a digital nomad may need. In addition, Ankara is the most affordable option among these cities.

The only downside of Ankara is its inland location. The city is located right in the middle of the country, in the Central Anatolia region. For this reason, the transportation options are very rich. However, you would have to travel for a beachside holiday.

Besides that, Ankara is perfect for those wanting to expand their business circle.

• Muğla

It’s possible you might not have heard of Muğla as a popular destination for tourists and digital nomads before. But Bodrum and Fethiye should sound familiar. Bodrum and Fethiye are coastal towns in Muğla province’s jurisdiction.

These towns are also among the most popular holiday resorts in Turkey. Every year, millions of Turkish and foreign visitors flock to these towns during summer to spend their holidays.

These towns offer a pleasant and comfortable lifestyle with their natural beauty and rich amenities. However, it should be kept in mind that the economy of these towns is shaped around the tourism sector. This means that the cost of living is higher than the average, and the towns are packed during the peak season.

• İzmir

İzmir is the third largest city in Turkey. The city is located on the western coast of Turkey, on the shores of the Aegean Sea. It accommodates one of the largest marinas in Turkey and contributes to the economy of the country greatly. The city also attracts attention as a student-friendly city with its low cost of living.

The small towns located on the outskirts of İzmir offer a peaceful coastal lifestyle. On the other hand, the city center offers a lively and colorful lifestyle. The transportation system is also very good, enabling you to combine both lifestyles.

Hopefully, this brief article has been helpful for you to learn more about the most popular destinations for digital nomads in Turkey. You can always contact us for more information about relocating to Turkey as a digital nomad, retiree, or tourist.