Background
Turkey is a country that sdtraddles two continents, forming part of both South Eastern Europe and South Western Asia. Only the small part of land to the west of the River Bosporus in truly in Europe however.
Turkey borders Bulgaria and Greece to the west and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iran, Iraq and Syria to the east. It also boasts coastlines that
run along the Agean Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean and the Marmara Sea.
The population of Turkey is around 70 million people, of which 20% are ethnic Kurds. Islam in the main religion in Tukey, but the country itself is a secular
republican parliamentary democracy.
The international telephone dialing code for Turkey is +90. The national telephone system has improved greatly in recent years and mobile phone use is widespread.
The currency of Turkey is the New Turkish Lira.
Many parts of Turkey, and particularly the north, lie on a major seismic fault line and are therefore subject to earthquakes and tremors.
Climate
Most of Turkey has a very sunny climate even in winter. Average daily sunshine ranges from three to four hours in winter to as much as 13 hours in summer.
The Aegean and Mediterranean coasts have a typical Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and some rain during the winter.
Around Istanbul and along the Black Sea coast it is a little colder during the winter and the Black Sea coast has some rain all the year round.
The centre of Turkey, the Anatolia, experiences very harsh winters and snow can remain in parts for months.
Buying Property
A new law regarding foreign ownership of land and property in Turkey was ratified by the Turkish Parliament on January 2006.
UK nationals can buy both land and property in Turkey providing that
it covers an area of less than 30,000m2 and is not in an area of strategic or military importance.
The law also states that foreign nationals are to be treated the same as Turkish nationals in regards to property ownership.
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Living There
If you wish to live in Turkey for periods of more than 90 days at a time or set up a business in the country, you will need a residence visa.
All documents for residence visa must be submitted to this Consulate General at least eight weeks before the intended date of departure. However, under certain circumstances, a one year visa can be issued within a week.
After obtaining your visa, you are required to register with the local police within a month following your arrival in Turkey in order to obtain a residence permit. If you wish to extend your permit for a further period, you should apply to the same police headquarters before the residence permit expires.
If you are planning on working in Turkey you will need a work visa.
For more details regarding both residency and work visas visit the Turkish Consulate's website.
If you have a work visa and are employed in Turkey you will be entitled to state health care. Health insurance is also widely available.
Above: Mosques in Instanbul on a winter's evening
Embassies
Turkish Embassy, 43 Belgrave Square, London,
SW1X 8PA
Tel: 020 7201 7043
Turkish Consulate,
Rutland Lodge, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1BW.
Tel: 020 7591 6900
Visa information line:
09068 347 348
British Consulate-General (Istanbul)
Mesrutiyet Caddesi No 34,
Tepebasi Beyoglu 34435,
Istanbul
Tel: +90 212 334 6400
British Embassy (Ankara)
Şehit Ersan Caddesi 46/A,
Cankaya 06680
Ankara
Tel: +90 312 455 3344
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