HELPFUL INFORMATION

VISAS

Holiday

A three months multi-entry visa for Turkey is purchased at the point of entry. This tourist visa costs £10 (English 10 pound note please) to British passport-holders.

Residence

If you chose to retire in Turkey and Turkey looks to be a key market for retirees now and in the future, if you plan to stay for more than three months you will need to leave and re-enter the country every three months. Property owners can apply to buy a residence visa for one year (from £240 or £915 for five years). If one sets up business you will still need to apply for a residence visa and work permit.

To remain in Turkey for longer than 3 months will require a residence visa. Application should be made to The Turkish Consulate 8 weeks before departure for Turkey. Once a residence visa is permitted it is necessary to register with the local police within 1 month of arriving in Turkey. To find out the latest information on Residence permits please contact www.turkishconsulate.org.uk or call 09068 347 348.

Employment

Work permits are difficult to get in Turkey as it is advisable to contact the Turkish Embassy to discuss your situation. Work permit applications are admitted from 09.00 to 12:30 noon from Monday to Friday except bank holidays and Turkish holidays. The contact address for the Office of the Labour Attache is at the Consulate General on 020 75916911/020 75916918.

Customs

If one must bring in household items these may be taken into the country through a system called "temporary import" if a Residence Permit exists and the permit is still valid for not less than one year. For details of the relevant regulation please contact with the Office of the Finance and Customs Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in London which can also provide information on the regulation concerning the temporary import of a car into Turkey www.gumruk.gov.tr. 

HOW CAN I TAKE POOCH?

It is possible to take your pets into Turkey but there are rules.  It will be necessary to supply the following documents:

• A rabies vaccination certificate from an accredited veterinarian, issued not later than 15 days prior to entry
• An International Certificate of Health issued not later than 15 days prior to entry (your VET should be able to arrange this)
• A written statement from an accredited veterinarian that the animal is at least 3 months old
• A pet identification card

Once you have the necessary documents you can take one cat, one bird, one dog and ten aquarium fish into Turkey.  For the latest details you should contact the Turkish Consulate prior to embarking on your journey or contact www.pettravelservices.co.uk who can assist you in taking your pets into Turkey.

HOW CAN I TAKE MY FURNITURE?

Removals

Property Global recommend a company which has won numerous awards for its service to its clients.   Please check out the website of our recommended company Dolphin Movers at www.dolphinmovers.com.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air

From 1 May - 31 October direct flights are available from most airports via several carriers

Turkish Airlines (THY) provides a network of domestic flights from the international airports of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Trabzon, Dalaman and Antalya to all of the major Turkish cities. 

THY also flies to and from most capitals of the world. 

British Airways flies from London to Istanbul and Gatwick to Izmir three times a week on Sunday, Monday and Friday

Easy-jet fly from London - Istanbul

Holiday4U run weekly flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Dalaman

Cyprus Turkish Airlines fly from Stanstead on Sunday to Dalaman throughout the year:  Monday, Friday, Saturday from Heathrow and Stanstead to Izmir

By Sea

Passenger ferries:   Regular services to Trabzon, Samsun, Istanbul, Dikili, Izmir, Cesme, Kusadasi, Bodrum, Marmaris, Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Iskenderun.

Car ferries:  Frequent passenger ship service is available from Venice, Italy to a variety of Turkish ports, provided by Turkish Maritime Lines. The vessels are comfortable, and the food aboard is generally good. Sleeping cabins are available. TML also offers service from ports in Turkish Cyprus to the Turkish coastal cities of Mersin and Silifke. During the summer months one can travel by ship or ferry from the Greek islands of Rhodes, Lesbos, Samos, Chios and Kos to destinations on the Turkish mainland.

By Rail

The journey from London to Istanbul can take 3 nights, using Eurostar to Paris, Orient Express overnight to Vienna, connecting EuroCity to Budapest.  Travel from Budapest to Istanbul on the "Trans Balkan" - bear in mind this journey can range from pleasant to definitely uncomfortable. Overcrowding and lack of sanitation on some railways can make travelling by train less than desirable - only recommended for the most adventurous of us!

The 'Istanbul Express' offers daily service from Munich, Vienna and Athens. There are weekly departures to Istanbul from Budapest, Bucharest and Moscow. Sleeping berths are available. Discounts are available to minors and students under the age of 26.

Driving

The journey by car is approximately 3,000 kms from London to Istanbul.  Although most of the roads are well surfaced and well maintained, some sections experience heavy traffic and can be in need of repair.   Also, border checkpoints can add considerable delays to your trip.  

There are two main routes: 

Northern:   via Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria

Southern:   via Italy and from there by ferry to Turkey.

The following documentation is required to bring a vehicle into Turkey

• International driving license
• Passport
• Vehicle registration
• Power of Attorney if vehicle is registered to someone else
• International green Insurance Card (TR to be visible)
• Carnet de Passage if intending to drive beyond

 USEFUL ADDRESSES