I'm planning my move
Residence permits and where to live — the decisions to make before you land.
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.
Residence & Legal
Getting Your Residence Permit (İkamet) in Istanbul
Istanbul residence permit guide for expats: how the ikamet application actually runs, what trips people up at the PTT and the appointment, and why your address registration matters more than you think.
Member-written guideLinks official sources
Home & Housing
Renting an Apartment in Istanbul: What Foreigners Should Know
Renting an apartment in Istanbul as a foreigner is not just about finding a nice flat at the right price. The neighbourhood you choose can affect your daily life far more than the apartment itself. You need to understand deposits, agent fees, aidat, heating, the contract, address registration and, importantly, the questions that reveal problems before you sign.
Member-written guideLinks official sources
Residence & Legal
Residence Permit (Ikamet): Your first application, without the panic
The Short-Term Residence Permit (Kısa Dönem İkamet İzni) is the residence permit most expats apply for first. You complete your application online through the official e-İkamet system, prepare your documents, attend your appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi), and wait for a decision. The process is straightforward—the secret is submitting a complete and accurate application the first time.
Member-written guideLinks official sourcesLast reviewed 10 August 2026
Home & Housing
Daily Life in Istanbul: The little things that make a big difference
Moving to Istanbul isn’t difficult—it just takes a little getting used to. Finding an apartment, setting up utilities, buying groceries, paying bills, ordering food, dealing with deliveries… none of these are especially complicated on their own. It’s the hundreds of little things that slowly wear you down until they become second nature. This guide covers the practical side of everyday life so you can spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying Istanbul.
Member-written guideLast reviewed 10 August 2026