Moving to Istanbul
Make Istanbul feel like home.
Smileys pairs practical local knowledge — the Handbook's guides — with an in-person community, so you can sort out the paperwork, choose where to live, and build a real social life once you arrive.
Your move, step by step
What to read, and when — from the Handbook guides Istanbul already has.
Before you arrive
I'm planning my move
Residence permits and where to live — the decisions to make before you land.
- Working Remotely from Türkiye: Digital Nomad Visa, Work Permissions, Tax & Social Security
- Entering Türkiye: Visa-Free Stays, e-Visas and the 90/180 Rule
- Residence Permit (Ikamet): Your first application, without the panic
Your first week
I just arrived
Get in from the airport, then a working phone, a transport card and a way to pay — the first-week essentials.
- Arriving in Istanbul: Getting from IST and Sabiha Gökçen into the City
- Getting a SIM Card and Home Internet in Türkiye
- Istanbulkart Mastery: The only ticket that matters
Your first month
I'm settling in
Healthcare, a longer-term home, family life and the everyday systems that make a city work.
- How Healthcare Actually Works in Istanbul
- Health Insurance for Your Residence Permit: What Is Accepted in Türkiye
- Daily Life in Istanbul: The little things that make a big difference
Once you're settled
Build your life here
Paperwork done — now the part that makes a city home: people.
Read before you move
What living in Istanbul is actually like, before and after you arrive. Best read in order; each one links to the next.
Thinking About Moving to Istanbul? Start Here
A practical guide to moving to Istanbul, from choosing the right neighborhood to transport, costs, language, and everyday life.
Read
Living in Istanbul: The Pros & Cons
Istanbul has two sides: the things that make you fall in love with it and the things that can drive you crazy. A real look at the pros and cons of living here.
Read
Which Istanbul Neighborhood Is Right for You?
Choosing where to live in Istanbul can shape your entire expat experience. A practical guide to finding the neighborhood that fits your lifestyle, budget, commute and daily routine.
Read
How Much Money Do You Actually Need to Live in Istanbul?
Forget the “live like a king for €500” stories. Here’s a realistic look at what life in Istanbul actually costs and where your money goes.
Read
Finding an Apartment in Istanbul: What Nobody Tells You
Finding an apartment in Istanbul can be exciting, but the real challenges often start after you find one. A practical guide to renting, contracts, residency zones, hidden costs, and avoiding common problems.
Read
The First 30 Days in Istanbul
Your practical guide to the first 30 days in Istanbul—from paperwork and transport to finding your routine, your neighborhood, and your people.
Read
And 7 more — the last one here links on to the next.
The practical side
Guides from the Istanbul Handbook, written by the Smileys team. Where a guide links official sources, those are the requirements; the rest is lived experience.
Start here
Istanbulkart Mastery: The only ticket that matters
İstanbul’s all-in-one transport card: one tap covers the metro, tram, bus, ferries, Marmaray, Metrobüs, funiculars, and more. Buy it once (₺165 for the anonymous card), load travel credit, and it’s the cheapest, simplest way to get around the city.
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 neighborhood 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.
Arriving in Istanbul: Getting from IST and Sabiha Gökçen into the City
Istanbul has two major airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side, and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. The best way into town depends on where you are staying, how much luggage you have and when your flight lands.
Residence permits and legal status
3 guidesWorking Remotely from Türkiye: Digital Nomad Visa, Work Permissions, Tax & Social Security
Last reviewed 13 October 2026 · Links official sources
Housing and neighborhoods
2 guidesMoving Into a Flat in Istanbul: Electricity, Water, Gas and the Building Fee (Aidat)
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · Links official sources
Banking and money
3 guides20-Year Tax Exemption in Turkey: Who Really Qualifies
Last reviewed 2 November 2026 · Links official sources
SIM, home internet and essential apps
2 guidese-Devlet for Foreigners: Getting Your Password and What You Can Do With It
Last reviewed 17 October 2026 · Links official sources
Healthcare
2 guidesHealth Insurance for Your Residence Permit: What Is Accepted in Türkiye
Last reviewed 23 October 2026 · Links official sources
Transport
4 guidesDriving in Türkiye: A Practical Guide for Expats and Foreign Residents
Last reviewed 5 November 2026 · Links official sources
Safety, scams and emergencies
4 guidesLost or Stolen Passport, Residence Permit or Phone in Türkiye: What to Do
Last reviewed 23 October 2026 · Links official sources
Find your neighborhood
Where Smileys members in Istanbul live, and where things are happening.
Kadıköy
Artsy & vibrant
371 Smileys members live here · 14 upcoming events
Şişli
Business & fashion
112 Smileys members live here
Beşiktaş
Lively & social
98 Smileys members live here
Üsküdar
Traditional & scenic
88 Smileys members live here · 3 upcoming events
Beyoğlu
Culture & nightlife
76 Smileys members live here · 1 upcoming event
Beylikdüzü
Western coast living
68 Smileys members live here
Build your life here
Start with an event marked first-timer friendly — picked by the team as an easy one to come to on your own.
Events marked “Members only” are for Smileys members. Joining is free, and applications are reviewed within 24 hours.
Upcoming events
18 on the calendar in Istanbul.
Clubs
148 active clubs — hiking, language, food, film and more.
Meet the hosts
The members who run events and clubs.
Community rules
How members look after each other — worth reading before your first event.
Ask people who've done it
Flatmates, an English-speaking doctor, schools, a lawyer or accountant, a vet, a reliable handyman — members ask each other on the Istanbul community board.
Answers are members' own experiences, not recommendations or endorsements by Smileys.
Anyone can read the board; posting a question needs a Smileys account.
Open the community boardArrive knowing people.
Joining is free. You only pay for events you choose, and the price is shown before you RSVP.