I just arrived
Get in from the airport, then a working phone, a transport card and a way to pay — the first-week essentials.
Written by the Smileys team, not professional advice. These guides explain how things work in practice; they are not legal, immigration, tax or medical advice. Where a guide links official sources, those set the current requirements.
Mobile & Digital
Getting a SIM Card and Home Internet in Türkiye
Getting connected in Türkiye is relatively easy — but there are a couple of Turkish-specific rules that can catch newcomers by surprise. The big one is the 120-day limit on foreign phones. You also need to understand how Turkish mobile lines are registered, what documents you need, and why checking the internet infrastructure in your actual apartment matters more than the provider's headline speed.
Links official sources Last reviewed 17 October 2026
Getting Around
BursaKart: One Card for BursaRay, the Buses and the Trams
One contactless card covers Bursa's BursaRay metro, the Burulaş buses and the trams with a 90-minute transfer window most newcomers never use, a pay-as-you-go refund on short metro rides, and an online top-up that only lands when you tap. The sea buses and the Uludağ teleferik are separate tickets.
Links official sources Last reviewed 17 October 2026
Money & Banking
Opening a Turkish bank account as a foreigner
You can open a Turkish bank account as a foreigner, but the required documents depend on whether you’re a resident or a visitor. Residents usually open with their residence permit and Foreigner Identification Number (YKN); some banks also take non-residents with a passport, a tax number and proof of address. Requirements differ by bank and branch, so check the bank's own list and, if you're refused, ask what was missing.
Links official sources Last reviewed 17 October 2026
Getting Around
Driving in Türkiye: A Practical Guide for Expats and Foreign Residents
Planning to drive in Türkiye? Understand foreign driving licenses, car rental, vehicle ownership, insurance, foreign-plated cars, HGS tolls and traffic rules.
Links official sources Last reviewed 5 November 2026
Money & Banking
20-Year Tax Exemption in Turkey: Who Really Qualifies
Turkey's new 20-year tax exemption on foreign income explained: who qualifies, what's covered, why remote work usually isn't, and how to apply.
Links official sources Last reviewed 2 November 2026
Mobile & Digital
e-Devlet for Foreigners: Getting Your Password and What You Can Do With It
e-Devlet is Türkiye's government services portal. Who can use it as a foreigner, how to get your password at PTT, and what it's useful for once you're in.
Links official sources Last reviewed 17 October 2026
Money & Banking
Getting a Turkish Tax Number as a Foreigner (Vergi Kimlik Numarası)
Why you need a Turkish tax number, how to apply for one online with your passport, and why you won't need one once you have a foreign ID number (YKN).
Links official sources Last reviewed 23 October 2026