Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye, is a country that spans two continents but is mainly in Western Asia.

To put things in perspective, Turkey is approximately twice the size of Germany and about 3.2 times bigger than the United Kingdom.

More than anything, Turkey is a diverse country that’s rich in many cultures. It’s a predominantly mountainous country with ¼ of the surface area having an elevation of 4,000 feet or more. Flat land is limited to coastal areas which are often bordered by mountain ridges.

But as an international buyer, what does Turkey have to offer? Well, I’ll tell you…

Local culture

The cities in Turkey differ massively. It’s one of the things that makes the county so unique. For example, Istanbul, the capital, is Europe’s most populous city is largely metropolitan and its Old City reflects the city’s cultural influences that date back to Roman times.

On the other hand, you have Antalya, a resort city on the southern Mediterranean coast. It’s often referred to as the Turquoise Coast for its stunning blue waters ad has a busy Old Harbour that’s always booming with yachters and their guests.

Turkish gastronomy

While here in the UK, Turkish food might be limited to a kebab, it’s far from that in Turkey. Turkish cuisine is often inspired by Middle Eastern cooking and spices, which is used to reinvent dishes. Baklava is one of the most popular foods, which dates back to the Ottoman Empire. It’s a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth and is a layered pastry dessert filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup.

Lots of dishes in Turkey are often both rich and savoury. When it comes to mains, food varies. Turkish dumplings are absolutely delicious. Think of them as Turkey’s take on ravioli. They are often filled with lamb or beef and seasoned perfectly with spices. Another must-try in Turkey is Kofte (meatballs), they’re often shaped in various ways and made of lamb, beef or sometimes just onion and spices. There’s even a popular vegetarian option made with vegetables and chickpeas.

The path to citizenship in Turkey

There are multiple pathways to achieving Turkish citizenship. The traditional path for foreigners is the long-term residence permit, which you qualify for after living in Turkey for eight years. (Immigrant Invest)

Citizenship can be claimed after five years of official living in Turkey; however, the period of residence isn’t the only requirement. You’d also have to prove you have become integrated with society, which often means being able to speak Turkish. You’ll also need to have enough money to provide for yourself and prove you provide no risk to public health.

Booming economy

Turkey has the 19^th largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product of $906 billion (World Bank). Following the covid-19 pandemic, the Turkish economy managed to grow 5.6% in 2022, however has recently lost momentum due to environmental disasters.

Despite this, economic activity is expected to remain solid, with a 55% net minimum wage increase in January 2023.

Massive reconstruction efforts are in place in earthquake zones, which will boost growth in late 2023 and beyond.

It’s worth mentioning that Turkey has two currencies in operation. You’ll always get a better deal by paying in the local currency, Turkish lira, but lots of places also accept the euro. Euro is more commonly accepted in shops, restaurants and tourist spots, however it’s recommended if you’re in Turkey for more than a week, to take lira with you.

Mediterranean climate

Turkey has a temperate climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The eastern side of Turkey borders the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, where regions are heavily affected by the coast.

Mountains close to the coast prevent the Med-climate extending inland, which results in a continental climate with distinct seasons. There, summers are hot and dry and winters are cold. In the west, winter temperatures often drop below 1°C, but the country doesn’t have an overall climate due to its mountainous geographical structure (AllAboutTurkey).

 

Written by PropertyGuides for Rightmove

If you are considering an overseas property purchase, whether for lifestyle or investment, opening a no-obligation account with FCA-authorised Smart Currency Exchange will enable you to benefit from their competitive exchange rates and specialist currency knowledge, ultimately saving you money and time. For more information, download Smart Currency Exchange’s free report or visit the Currency Zone.