Relocation to Istanbul: how we help you move and settle in

Relocation is not only about a home

When clients who are planning to relocate to Istanbul contact us, they often think that the main task is to find housing. This is understandable: an apartment or a house is the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks about moving. However, over 10 years of work, we have become convinced of one thing: housing is only the beginning.

Relocating to another country involves hundreds of small and large tasks that must be resolved simultaneously. A tax number, a bank account, a residence permit, connection of utility services, a school for children, medical insurance, vehicle registration, arrangements for pets. Each of these tasks requires knowledge of the Turkish language, an understanding of local bureaucracy, and the ability to work with government authorities.

That is precisely why we offer not merely a property selection service, but full-scale relocation consulting. We become your point of support in Istanbul — from the first phone call until the moment you are fully settled in and truly feel at home.

Who we help

Our relocation clients fall into three different categories of people, each with different objectives.

The first category is investors who have purchased property in Istanbul and now wish either to relocate themselves or to obtain a residence permit for their family. They have already completed the transaction and have the TAPU, but a long list of administrative tasks still lies ahead.

The second category is families relocating to Istanbul for permanent residence. For them, schools for children, medical infrastructure, a safe neighborhood, and convenient logistics are critically important. They need not merely a consultant, but someone who knows the city from the inside.

The third category is entrepreneurs and freelancers who have chosen Istanbul as their base for work. They need to establish a company or formalize self-employment status, obtain a work residence permit, and understand taxation and banking services.

For each category, we have a dedicated support program, but the principle is the same: we accompany you at every step and take all the bureaucracy upon ourselves.

Stage 1. Before arrival: preparation for relocation

Proper preparation saves months after arrival. We begin working with you even before you have purchased a ticket.

At this stage, we help you clarify several key issues. The first is the choice of district. Istanbul is a huge city with 39 districts, and each of them differs fundamentally in character, infrastructure, cost of living, and transport accessibility. Esenyurt offers affordable prices and a large Russian-speaking diaspora. Beşiktaş and Şişli represent the European center with developed infrastructure. Kadıköy is the Asian side with a more спокойный темп жизни. We help you choose the district that is right for you specifically, rather than simply the one that is being actively advertised at the moment.

The second issue is the visa regime and first entry. Citizens of Russia may stay in Türkiye without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you intend to remain longer, it is necessary to understand in advance on what basis you will apply for a residence permit. We advise on all possible grounds: purchase of real estate, tourist residence permit, family residence permit, student residence permit, and work residence permit.

The third issue is transportation of belongings and pets. If you are bringing personal belongings or a vehicle, customs clearance is required. If you are bringing pets, veterinary documents, microchipping, and vaccinations are required. We coordinate this process with our partners specializing in international transportation.

Stage 2. The first days: administrative launch

The first two weeks after arrival are the most intensive. It is precisely during this period that several mandatory administrative tasks must be completed, without which it is impossible to live and work normally in Türkiye.

Tax number (Vergi Kimlik Numarası)

This is the first thing that must be done. A tax number is your identifier within the Turkish system. Without it, it is impossible to open a bank account, arrange utility services, purchase real estate, or register a vehicle. We accompany you to the tax office or obtain the number under a power of attorney if you have not yet arrived. The procedure takes 1–2 hours.

Bank account

A bank account in a Turkish bank is not merely a convenience — it is a necessity. Without it, it is impossible to pay utility bills, receive a salary or rental income, or make major purchases. We help you select the appropriate bank, prepare the necessary documents, and accompany you to the bank. In 2024–2025, banks tightened their requirements for foreign clients, which is why knowledge of the practical nuances is critically important.

Residence permit (İkamet İzni)

If you plan to remain in Türkiye for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit. There are several types of residence permits, each with its own requirements and validity periods.

We do not process residence permits independently — this falls within the exclusive competence of accredited immigration lawyers with whom we work as partners. Our role is to coordinate the process, prepare the documents, and accompany the client at all stages. The decision is made by the Directorate General of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi Genel Müdürlüğü).

Stage 3. Settling in: life in a new city

Once the administrative tasks have been resolved, the real process of settling in begins. This is the stage that many people underestimate and then end up spending months dealing with.

Connection of utility services

Connecting electricity, water, gas, and internet in Türkiye is not a single procedure, but several independent processes involving different organizations. Each of them requires its own package of documents, its own forms, and its own queues. We take this work upon ourselves in full: we prepare the documents, submit the applications, and monitor the connection process.

Schools for children

If you are relocating with children, the choice of school is one of the most important issues. Istanbul has dozens of international schools offering instruction in Russian, English, German, and other languages. We know them all: their programs, tuition fees, transport accessibility, and reputations. We help you choose the school that is right specifically for your child and accompany the admission process.

Medical insurance

Foreign nationals in Türkiye do not have access to the public healthcare system without appropriate insurance coverage. We help you select and arrange the appropriate medical insurance policy — from basic coverage to extended coverage including dental care and specialized treatment.

Everyday practical matters

We help you find trusted specialists for everyday needs: cleaners, plumbers, electricians, and repair technicians. This may sound simple, but finding a reliable specialist in a foreign city without knowledge of the language is not an easy task. We work with trusted people in whom we have confidence.

Stage 4. Legal and business support

For entrepreneurs and freelancers relocating to Istanbul for work, we have a separate area of service — business consulting.

Company formation

Türkiye offers several business structures for foreign nationals. The most common are a Limited Liability Company (Limited Şirketi) with a minimum share capital of 10,000 TRY and a Joint Stock Company (Anonim Şirketi) with capital starting from 50,000 TRY. We work with accredited legal partners who handle company registration, opening of a corporate bank account, and obtaining the required licenses.

Tax consulting

Türkiye’s tax system differs substantially from the Russian one. Personal income tax rates range from 15% to 40%, depending on income. VAT is 20% (the standard rate). Corporate income tax is 25%. We advise on tax obligations and, where necessary, refer clients to accredited tax consultants.

Work residence permit and work authorization

If you plan to work for a Turkish company, you need a work permit (Çalışma İzni), which is issued by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The procedure takes 4–8 weeks. We coordinate this process jointly with the employer and immigration partners.

The path to permanent residence

For those planning to remain in Türkiye for the long term, it is important to understand the path from a tourist residence permit to permanent residence or citizenship.

It is important to understand that decisions regarding the granting of residence permits, permanent residence, and citizenship are made exclusively by the competent state authorities of Türkiye. We coordinate the process and work with accredited legal partners, but we do not guarantee approval of any application — this does not fall within our competence, nor within the competence of any agency.

Why clients choose us for relocation

We know Istanbul from the inside

We have lived and worked in this city for more than 10 years. We know which district is suitable for a family with children and which is more appropriate for a young entrepreneur. We know at which bank it is easier for a foreign national to open an account. We know which schools are genuinely good and which are merely well advertised. This knowledge cannot be obtained from the internet — it is accumulated through years of practical work.

We speak your language

All of our specialists speak Russian. We do not hire interpreters — we conduct negotiations ourselves, explain documents, and answer questions. The language barrier is not your problem.

We are a single point of entry

You do not need to look separately for a real estate agency, an immigration lawyer, a tax consultant, a school consultant, and a utilities specialist. We coordinate all of this through one manager. You communicate with one person who knows your situation and is responsible for the result.

We are honest about what we can and cannot do

We do not promise guaranteed citizenship or a guaranteed residence permit. We do not prepare legal documents independently — that is the role of licensed lawyers. We do not provide tax advice without involving certified consultants. However, we do take responsibility for coordinating the entire process and for everything that falls within our competence.

Frequently asked questions

How to start working with us

The first step is a free consultation. We discuss your situation, goals, and timeline, and we propose the optimal action plan. After that, we formalize the scope of services and the fee in an agreement.

You can contact us by phone, WhatsApp, or through the form on the website. We work in Russian, English, and Turkish and respond within a few hours.