10 reasons why Russians who moved to Turkey regret their decision

It is only from afar that Turkey looks like an earthly paradise: with a gentle sea, tons of fruit and a complete absence of problems. Those who moved here for permanent residence are often disappointed

It is only from afar that Turkey looks like an earthly paradise: with a gentle sea, tons of fruit and a complete absence of problems. Those who moved here for permanent residence are often disappointed. It turns out that there are a lot of worries here (just communicating with authorities where they only speak Turkish, which is worth it), and the fruits are not that tasty, and sometimes you don’t have time to go to the sea, or you don’t want to - it’s full of people and garbage. What else bothers those who chased the southern dream and decided to settle in Turkey?

Mentality

Türkiye is a Muslim country, which also lives according to its own customs. Among them are the slaughter of lambs on holidays right on the street, the general slowness and lack of obligation of the locals, the habit of littering on the street and fanatically scrubbing their apartments until they shine. Add to this the obligatory nepotism (without connections - nowhere), and the picture you get is not at all rosy.

Advantage of Turkish citizenship for real estate

• Citizenship is obtained not only by the investor himself, but also by his spouse and children under 18 years of age. To move to Turkey from Russia for permanent residence with children, the presence of each applicant for citizenship is required.
• Simple and quick procedure: no need to take a Turkish language exam, take an oath or undergo an interview.
• There is no requirement to renounce Russian citizenship.
• After three years, the purchased property can be sold without losing citizenship.

Rudeness and unceremoniousness

This is not only about “Hey, Natasha, come with me, beauty.” Although Russian women actively complain about the harassment of Turks. This also means that the whole family can come to you to solve a household issue at eight in the morning and drink tea with you until lunch. And you can’t hide the fact that houses here are often built “window to window.” And also about the desire of locals to look into someone else’s pocket and discuss someone else’s life. Besides, in Turkey there is always someone smoking right under your nose.

Sometimes our compatriots accuse representatives of the Russian diaspora and tourists (yes, those in swim trunks with a bare belly in stores) of rudeness and unceremoniousness.

Pros and cons of immigration to Turkey

Living in any country comes with a number of significant advantages and disadvantages. For each, their balance is selected individually. Often Russians who have vacationed in Turkish resorts in the summer dream of moving to a piece of paradise forever. There is no need to compare a tourist trip and emigration.

Therefore, before making a fateful decision, you need to get more information on websites and forums, comments on articles from Russians who moved to Turkey a long time ago. Reviews concern the standard of living, language learning, employment opportunities, prices for food and housing, utilities, etc.

Those who are planning to live here should learn more about the country, culture, history, cities, cuisine, etc.

The main advantages of immigration to Turkey from Russia:

• affordable housing prices. In addition to the fact that square meters are inexpensive for citizens of the Russian Federation, the availability of housing makes it possible to obtain a residence permit;
• the cost of living is lower than in Russia;
• favorable climate. You can perfectly maintain your health in a country with clean air, sea, and plenty of sun. In winter, you can relax at the local ski resorts;
• quality products, ready meals. Stores offer fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and milk year-round;
• developed infrastructure. The roads are of high quality, transport runs regularly and everywhere;
• safety. You won’t meet a drunken Turk on the streets; rules of decency are observed here;
• good ecology. The authorities are actively developing tourism, and for this they are increasing the attractiveness of the country’s environmental and other characteristics;
• obtaining a residence permit. The whole process is accessible and simple, there are almost no failures;
• cheap products. The stores offer affordable shoes and clothing from local factories and European brands;
• high level of medical services;
• favorable conditions for business. Registration of a company by a foreigner is quick and easy.

Inspired by the advantages, you need to familiarize yourself with a number of disadvantages that cannot be ignored:

• unemployment. It is difficult for immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and other countries to find employment. There are few low-skilled jobs, and for high-paying ones, a little knowledge of the language is not enough. You can learn it for free, but it takes time;
• difficulties of language learning. Turkish is a peculiar language and without linguistic talent you will have to work hard, not everyone likes it;
• unregulated road traffic. Drivers are much different from Russians in their carelessness, often breaking rules, which leads to accidents and makes traveling on roads unsafe;
• exotic products. At first, Russians are perplexed because they do not find the food products they are used to in stores. Pork is definitely not sold here. Those who have already lived here for several years do not pay attention to the shortage of Russian cereals, etc.;
• expensive alcoholic drinks. Religion does not encourage the consumption of alcohol, so the standard excise taxes on it are huge.

Summarizing the pros and cons described above, everyone decides for themselves which aspect of emigration to Turkey is most important, and which one can be ignored, whether the country is suitable for moving.

High prices, low quality

Gasoline and Wi-Fi in Turkey are expensive and poor. In tourist cafes, bazaars, and taxis, people try to tear off three skins, especially if they see a person in front of them who is clearly non-Turkish in appearance. The fact that the same apartment can cost 500 TRY for a local and 1200 TRY for a visitor is taken for granted. Utility bills also cost a pretty penny, especially for electricity and “aidat” (maintenance of the building, territory, infrastructure). If you don’t pay on time, they’ll turn you off immediately.

Document validity period

As already noted, a standard residence permit is issued for 1 or 2 years.

When the residence permit period expires, the foreigner must repeat the above steps and pay money to renew the document. If upon entry or exit from Turkey it turns out that the residence permit is expired, the foreigner will be charged a fine.

For foreigners who are in a legal union with Turkish citizens, a residence permit is issued for 1–2 years, and then for a full 5 years.

Children under 18 years of age can go to Turkey and receive a separate residence permit, or they can be included in their parents’ documents. If the child has his own passport, then the residence permit is issued to him for 3 years, and then it is extended for 5 years.

Terms and cost of registration

Papers for a temporary permit are processed from 3 days to 3 months. The review period depends on the management workload. Extension of Ikamet is considered for 1-2 months. If questions arise, the applicant is called for an interview. If the application is approved, the residence permit card is sent to the place of registration by mail.

The state fee for a permit valid for 12 months will be $80, 24 – $125. The permit form will cost a foreigner another $20.

A registration card, which is required before submitting an application, will cost a foreigner $13. The cost of the policy varies from $140 to $1000.

Social security in the country

Medical insurance

In Turkey, unfortunately, medicine is really expensive. Both locals and tourists have to pay. Moreover, since 2015, any person entering the country is required to enter into a contract with one of the companies, public or private. There is no need to skimp on this aspect.

Locals in public hospitals may not pay for the treatment itself. However, they are responsible for paying for various consumables such as medicines and bandages. A portion of each Turk’s salary is deducted for health insurance. If it doesn't work, it's serviced out of your own pocket.

Social guarantees of the state

Important

Foreigners have certain benefits. For example, if a girl married a Turk and received a residence permit, she can break off this marriage at any time. After the divorce, she has the right to regain her citizenship and go back to her homeland.

Turkey also has maternity leave. For 8 weeks after giving birth and 8 weeks before, the mother can retain her job. There are no large payments for the child, as well as a huge maternity leave. The state gives approximately 300 liras for the first child. You get another 122 from your insurance company.

Pensioner income

The minimum pension in Turkey is approximately 1,200 liras, the maximum is about 10,000. It is received mainly by officials and municipal employees - here, as in all countries of the world, they have certain privileges. But social guarantees for pensioners do not end there.

After reaching 65 years of age, a person can be treated completely free of charge in any public medical institution. Prices for medicines are reduced to 3-5% of the real cost. Travel on public transport is also free. The pensioner also has the right to call a nurse at home.

Enrolling kids in school and kindergarten

Little Andrey is still staying at home with his mother. They walk on the site near the residential complex, go to the sea, splash in the pool. Alena attends kindergarten, and Ksyusha went to the local public school. Thanks to live communication, the girls quickly mastered the Turkish language.

Marina: “I was so worried, especially for the eldest, that she would not know the language and would have to go to school where everyone spoke Turkish. Of course, they studied Turkish a little back in Russia, with a tutor, but it was very short-lived. But her husband said that it would be better this way, and she would quickly start communicating in Turkish. And so it happened. Now Ksyu is chatting with all her might with her girlfriends, and I don’t even always understand what she says.”

The younger ones are not bored at all; on the contrary, they really like the new home. Ksyusha says that she misses her friends from Russia a little, but has already made new friends here. Parents admit that they would like to see relatives and friends from Russia more often, but otherwise they do not regret their decision at all.

Reviews from Russians who have moved

Nikolay, 35 years old, Antalya: “This country attracts with its good climate and low prices. I have long wanted to immigrate from Russia to one of the neighboring states in order to be closer to relatives. I have a travel agency in Antalya. Most of my clients are Russian speakers. I am gradually learning Turkish. Knowing English is not enough.”

Elena, 28 years old, Alanya: “2 years ago I married a Turk, despite the protests of family and friends. My relatives assured me that I would not be able to get used to unfamiliar customs. Mom didn't want me to convert to Islam. All fears turned out to be in vain. My Muslim spouse never forced me to convert to a new faith. Many of my husband’s friends adhere to a Western lifestyle and practically do not follow the injunctions of the Koran.”

Alexey, 37 years old, Istanbul: “I mastered Turkish before moving. The language barrier never prevented me from communicating with the local population, but I never managed to get used to the new customs. Turks are overly sociable. Strangers can start a conversation in a public place without asking whether the other person is ready for dialogue. I came to Turkey to work under a contract and planned to stay here forever. However, now I’m counting the days until I return to Russia.”

Olga, 45 years old, Ankara: “I was born in Norilsk and always dreamed of living in a region with a warm climate. Having received an inheritance from a distant relative, I decided to buy myself an apartment in Antalya . Here I met my loved one and moved with him to his native Ankara. We have been living in a happy marriage for more than 10 years. Our children are fluent in both Turkish and Russian.”

Results

It is possible to understand how correct the decision to move is only after comparing the pros and cons of immigration to Turkey:

Selecting a location and searching for housing

The choice of Alanya was not accidental. Victor’s colleague bought property in this region and moved there with his wife. Therefore, our clients could get up-to-date information about real life in Alanya first-hand.

However, before purchasing the property, the couple decided to take a “test drive” of the chosen area. They studied what rental offers there were, the price range, and rented a small apartment on the coast in Mahmutlar. This allowed me to immerse myself in the local atmosphere and test from my own experience whether this area is suitable for a happy life. Our clients were satisfied with the results of such an experiment, because it turned out that Mahmutlar has everything they need: schools, including Russian ones, kindergartens, shops, beaches, a state clinic, playgrounds.

Marina: “After two weeks of living in Mahmutlar, I already felt at home - I knew what was where, where to buy what. I even managed to make new friends: our temporary housemates turned out to be very friendly and sociable.”

During the search process, the couple came to the conclusion that it was smarter and more profitable to buy housing directly from the developer. At this stage, their collaboration with Yekta Homes began.

Victor: “I saw that those beautiful houses that we admired in Alanya were built by Yekta Homes. I went to the website and realized that this housing fits well into the budget. The cost of our apartment in Moscow was much higher than the price of local apartments, although they were larger and better than our Moscow housing. This is how the issue with the Turkish partner was resolved.”

The couple was given a choice of different properties in residential complexes in Mahmutlar, meeting the following requirements:

• layout 4+1;
• finished project;
• fine finishing, high-quality repairs;
• furnishings;
• sea ​​view;
• the presence of a spacious playground and a safe children's pool on the territory of the house;
• safe local area;
• quiet area;
• school and kindergarten for children nearby.

The choice to meet these requirements turned out to be quite large, but as a result, 3 options were selected, and the couple went to Turkey for the second time to see their future housing in person. The introductory tour was organized by Yekta Homes, so this time the married couple lived in the apartment for free and had the opportunity to get to know each other better with Alanya. During the inspections, they made their choice and decided to conclude an agreement on the spot.

Victor: “We wanted not just to buy living space, but to find optimal housing for the whole family. We succeeded. It’s comfortable here for both me and my wife, but especially, of course, for the children.”

How did the adaptation go?

After 1.5 years, the family completely fit into the local rhythm of life. Everyone is busy with their own business, as before: girls go to kindergarten and school, mother walks with the baby, father works. Only in Mahmutlar did they have more opportunities for joint recreation. After all, all you have to do is go out into the local area and you can have a barbecue, play ball, or splash in the pool. Now you don’t need to go anywhere to do this.

Marina: “We’ve even stopped getting sick so often here. I can’t believe that just recently, from September to May, someone was constantly sick at our house: Ksyu would bring a cold from school, Alyonka would catch it, Andryusha would catch it from her, then Andryusha would catch it. I, and our dad, will certainly get sick. Imagine, 5 people - and everyone takes turns getting sick. Thank God this is in the past. This winter was the calmest in my life, honestly!”

According to Victor, the family made the right decision, and they are truly better off in their new place than in Russia.

Requirements for applicants from the Russian Federation for permanent residence

The applicant must not:

1. Break laws during your entire stay in the country.
2. Have a criminal record for serious and especially serious crimes in your home country (rape, armed robbery). It is unacceptable to have debts, unpaid fines, etc.
3. Benefit from government support for 3 years of residence in Turkey, for example, receive unemployment benefits.

The applicant is obliged:

• have a permanent legal income;
• speak Turkish at a level of at least A2;
• confirm solvency with a bank account statement;
• have medical insurance and a health certificate.

The applicant must have a permanent legal income.

It is also necessary to adhere to the purpose of the visit: a student at a Turkish university cannot interrupt his studies and start working.

Prices for food in stores and markets

Naked salary figures will be useless if you do not indicate what prices are in local markets and stores.

Basically the prices are as follows (values ​​are indicated in Turkish lira per kilogram unless otherwise stated):

• 1 liter of milk - 3.34.
• A loaf of fresh white bread - 2.07.
• Rice - 6.90.
• 12 chicken eggs - 7.78.
• Local cheese - 24.49.
• Chicken - 15.45.
• Beef - 53.91.
• Apples - 4.06.
• Bananas - 8.00.
• Oranges - 3.51.
• Tomatoes - 4.06.
• Potatoes - 2.98.
• Onion - 2.66.
• 1 bunch of lettuce - 2.61.
• 1.5 liters of drinking water - 1.67.
• Bottle of wine - 35.00.
• Local beer (0.5) - 8.19.
• Imported beer (0.33) - 10.65.
• 20 pieces of cigarettes - 13.00.

The main diet of the average Turk

A considerable part of your income will go to the Internet and cellular communications. You will have to pay about 25 liras for using a mobile phone. Internet costs about 60 liras, and this is not the best quality.

All products are mainly bought in markets, less often in stores. A Turk spends about 100 liras a day on his average diet. Another 250 will take one week if you are an active smoker. Turks spend 500 liras a month on entertainment with alcohol.

Obtaining citizenship

You need to apply for citizenship in Turkey after obtaining a residence permit.

Collection and submission of documents for adults and children

Registration of citizenship documents is carried out in stages.

If the move to Turkey is completed, the foreigner is required to provide the following documents to the security department:

• You must provide the original application form.
• Then you will need a passport, original and 2 certified copies in Turkish.
• The documents must also be supplemented with 2 photographs.

• You will also need a sample residence permit document, a certified copy or photograph. The validity period of the residence permit must be longer than 6 months.
• It is necessary to provide a certificate of income and a bank statement on the status of your personal account. There should be no debt on the personal account, and there should be no credit obligations to the bank. An individual must have a good credit history.
• You also need a special certificate from the police confirming that the individual has no criminal record and no problems with the law.
• A certificate from a medical institution confirming the presence of insurance and the absence of diseases harmful to the population is required.
• An original or copy of the fee receipt may be required.
• It is also necessary to submit documents on marital status and a special certificate issued at the consulate of your home country and certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

A child whose parents are citizens of another state can become a Turkish citizen if the father or mother has at least a residence permit. If any of the child’s relatives are Turkish citizens, the child immediately receives citizenship. The only documents required are a birth certificate.

Solving the language problem

It is more difficult for persons who do not speak Turkish well to obtain a residence permit or become citizens of the country. To learn a language, you must take special certified courses and obtain the appropriate certificate.

Turkic subgroups of languages, unlike Arabic, are not greatly changed in structure in comparison with European ones. The structures and forms of sentences in Turkish are similar. To improve your language level and pass an interview, you need to learn as many colloquial words as possible that are often used in everyday speech.