I just arrived

Get a working phone, a transport card and a way to pay — the first-week essentials.

Member-written, 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.

Getting Around

İzmirim Kart: The Only Ticket That Matters

One contactless card covers İzmir's metro, tram, İZBAN commuter rail, ferries, ESHOT buses and the Balçova cable car — plus a 90-minute free transfer window that most newcomers never realise they are entitled to.

Member-written guideLinks official sources

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.

Member-written guideLinks official sources

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. Some banks still accept non-residents with a passport, a Turkish tax number, and proof of address, while most private banks now require a residence permit and Foreigner Identification Number (YKN). Branch policies vary, so if one branch says no, another may say yes.

Member-written guideLinks official sources