Best 30 Apps for Living in Turkey – The Ultimate Expat Guide

Begin by registering at e-devlet to accelerate official tasks, shrinking visits to offices and expediting approvals. A system that has revolutionized paperwork, helping you become self-sufficient faster and more efficient than paper forms.

Use yemeksepeti to satisfy meals at night; it is an easy option that delivers from neighborhood eateries, a reliable service that shines when you are busy, including late-night options.

Rely on google to locate legitimate portals; use internet banking and secure transfer of documents, while agents assist newcomers, particularly during the first weeks of settling.

navigate the system by identifying offices a health services, with a strong online presence that connects clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals. A balance between service access and self-reliance improves daily rhythm.

Keep this toolkit handy when you plan neighborhood errands; it helps you compare alternatives, especially where internet connectivity matters, and it highlights how transfer processes harmonize with local offices and healthcare workflows. These elements revolutionized everyday life in Türkiye.

Yourist Expat Guide

Decide to join Yourist portal, complete profile, and reserve a welcome tour through biletix to inspect events in turkey.

Choose a stay area with safety, accessibility, transit links, and proximity to work or friends; major hubs enable quick arrivals.

Complete documents: lease, bill details, and completed checks; keep digital copies in portal to access anytime.

Deliverywhy guides shopping flow; set up quick, frequent order of groceries, medicines, and pet supplies to cut trips.

Sports and leisure: explore local clubs, gyms, and parks; use biletix to secure tickets to games and events with flexible hours.

Management and support: note service hours, contact points, and response times; log issues in content area of yourist to speed resolution.

Search local providers in your area, compare prices, and decide on a stable routine; frequent reviews help keep costs transparent and service steady.

Content notebook: store trusted vendor ratings, addresses, and hours; share with friends to keep everyone informed about turkey life.

Banking & Payments: Set up Turkish accounts and mobile wallets

Open a local Lira account at turkeys largest banks within days after arrival; attach a native mobile wallet to simplify bill payments, utilities, groceries, and merchant purchases. This will provide stable access to funds, deliver quick results, and help newcomers create a practical setup to support hayat routines and daily needs.

Choose an option that offers offline payments, easy top ups, and broad merchant acceptance. In turkeys, popular wallets cover groceries, bill settlements, transit; sesli remains a widely adopted local path. Platformkey integration helps connect wallets with bank accounts, while источник supplies trusted tips from local networks. duolingo supports life-habit phrases enabling smoother conversations in shops, offices, and events. Attend an event to compare wallets. Use simple words to ease understanding. A giant local network ensures help when language or tech hurdles appear.

Tasks to complete quickly include: visit a branch, finish identity verification, link a debit card, set up a mobile wallet, test a bill payment, monitor daily transactions, ensure payment receipts are saved, and confirm offline capability on essential cards.

SIM & Connectivity: Choose a Turkish data plan and manage roaming

Get a local data SIM within hours of touchdown; visit official stores at airports or in-city offices; bring documents including passport and residence permit if any; activation on-site; pick data-only packages ranging 6–12 GB monthly with solid speeds on 4G/5G; Turkcell, Vodafone Türkiye, Türk Telekom offer strong nationwide coverage; expect quick activation and easy top-ups.

Choose between physical SIM and eSIM. In device settings, add a cellular plan; if device supports eSIM, activation happens without swapping. Staff in shops assist with translation when needed. Trendyol partnerships may offer order-linked SIM kits with doorstep delivery; use Trendyol app to order, then pick up at offices or have it sent to street address. Ignore redirects from unknown emails; stick to official portals.

Registration requires documents: passport, date of birth, address. Wise note: carry residence permit if it exists; Ministry guidelines apply; some offices request a photo page; digital copies can be kept in cloud storage. Sığar health data can link to account dashboards; pharmacy locations appear on maps when health features are enabled.

Roaming management: after activation, disable data roaming on device to avoid charges when abroad; when traveling, add a roaming package if needed, or rely on Turkish data plan; monitor internet usage via account dashboard; set alerts to avoid overspend; data routes stay within domestic networks on Turkish soil. Link data to accounts on operator app; review accounts for each line; more control equals less stress.

Practical tips and quick references: keep date of activation and expiry in a calendar; street address of shops; contact support lines including late-night options; order via partner pages if online payment preferred; map routes to nearby offices; keep documents up to date; Trendyol partnerships extend reach; translation tools help with invoices; Sığar health data plus pharmacy QR codes help during stays; ministry guidelines shape SIM handling; easy steps lead to smooth connectivity. Should you travel, keep offline maps handy.

Housing & Utilities: Find rentals, sign up for services, and pay bills

Check local listings on trusted portals and meet landlords in person to verify terms and avoid scams when relocating.

Renting tip: Look for english-speaking agents and insist on a bilingual contract in Turkish and English, with clear deposit (usually 1–2 months) and landlord IDs copied.

Utilities setup covers electricity (elektrik), water (su), natural gas (doğalgaz), and internet; in major cities you’ll sign with building manager or directly with suppliers. For water, municipal codes and service lines come from İSKİ or ASKİ depending on city; obtain a short authorization letter from landlord; installation typically 2–5 days; deliverywhy helps compare providers and pricing to avoid overcharges.

Paying bills once setup: set up automatic payments, track due dates around times each month; billing occurs in local currency; some landlords accept foreign cards or bank transfers; keep digital receipts and a simple ledger to resolve disputes quickly.

Legal framework: verify permit status with relevant ministry and municipal office; ensure contract cites renewal options and address changes; carry copies of ID, tenancy agreement, and codes compliance documents; healthcare access is via public system or private clinics; register with a local healthcare provider if youre eligible, and carry your university ID if youre relocating for studies.

Move logistics: decide whether to bring clothing from home or buy locally; if you ride a scooter, check parking and building rules; many complexes offer delivery services for packages; deliverywhy can help you compare service setup options and pricing across providers.

Location guidance: choose location with easy metro access to cut commute times; proximity to university campuses can raise resale value and rental offers; in turkeys, rents vary by district; different neighborhoods offer different pricing; ask landlords about offers including internet, maintenance, and safety features; keep track of currency exchanges and payment methods to avoid misunderstandings.

Healthcare & Insurance: Book appointments and manage records

Register on e-Devlet portal and install MHRS application; this lets you book appointments, view visits, and access medical records from public clinics and private centers.

1. Create profiles on e-Devlet using ID or passport; link to ministry health services if applicable; gather documents: date of birth, health insurance card; store digital copies in secure cloud; public facilities often publish slots daily.
2. Booking via MHRS interface: choose metropolitan hospital, department, physician; confirm slot; receive SMS or e-mail confirmation; if you miss a slot, availability returns after 24 hours.
3. Manage records: view lab results, prescriptions, treatment notes; download or export comprehensive listings; use date filters to locate specific visits.
4. Language and communication: languages supported include Turkish, English, French, Arabic; bring translator or utilize language learning tools; Duolingo can improve basic phrases prior visits.
5. Insurance options and costs: SGK coverage for public care; private centers may require direct payment or insurer submission; save digital copies of cards; most hospitals offer payment interfaces via online portals; payments can be processed through e-commerce style portals.
6. Accessibility and transport: local hospitals reside in metropolitan districts; bitaksi offers quick rides; ensure arrival ahead of appointment for comfort; if transport runs late, adjust schedule via MHRS when possible.
7. Residency proof and identity checks: in some cases, clinics request address confirmation from landlords or rental contracts; upload documents through e-Devlet or clinic portal; keep sources of information up to date; источник can be noted as source section in records.
8. Data privacy: use strong passwords, enable two factor authentication; check which interfaces access personal data; set permissions to share records with a group of professionals; having digital copies reduces risk of misplacement.

источник: official hospital portals, ministry guidelines, and SGK documents.

Getting Around: Maps, transit cards, rideshares, and car services

Your first move: buy an Istanbulkart and top it up to ride metro, tram, buses, ferries, and some funicular lines; it’s faster at gates and cheaper than paying cash.

Maps and updates

• Use english-speaking interfaces in Google Maps or Apple Maps; preload routes for offline access and to see which lines (metro, tram, ferry) serve each leg.
• Check updates on line replacements or maintenance from official transit portals; istanbuls guides post daily changes that affect thousands of commuters.
• Know where to transfer within stations; most hubs have clear signs and multiple exits, saving minutes when crowds are heavy.

Transit cards and tickets

• Istanbulkart is the right choice; buy at station machines or kiosks, top up with cash or card, and use it across metro, tram, buses, ferries, and some ferries.
• Public transport runs on a regular cadence; in central districts, lines are frequent, but check the map when you travel long distances across istanbuls giant network.
• Students and foreigners should carry ID; some institutions offer student passes that work with Istanbulkart for reduced fares.

Rideshares and car services

• Popular options include local ride-hailing apps and licensed taxis; rides usually take a few minutes to arrive and drivers often speak basic English in busy areas.
• Compare estimates on BiTaksi, Yango, or other apps to pick a right price; in high traffic, a ride can be longer than expected.
• For airport transfers or long trips, pre-book a private car service with a driver who meets you at arrivals; this helps if you have many bags or travel at odd hours.
• Always confirm the meeting point and driver’s name before stepping into the car; meet at well-lit, designated areas in busy districts.

Scooters and last-mile

• Scooter fleets offer quick hops between tram stops or neighborhoods; ride with caution in traffic and park only in legal zones.
• Check per-minute rates, battery levels, and roaming zones in the app before you start; some districts restrict scooters on busy sidewalks.

Appointments, safety, and tips

1. For medical or service appointments near transit hubs, plan arrival at least 15 minutes early to avoid delays.
2. Carry a digital vaccination record if needed for events or venues that request vaccination proof; keep a note of the official appointment times.
3. In the evenings, prefer well-lit routes and rides with trusted drivers; use a rideshare app to share live location with a friend.

Guides for students and newcomers

• Campus shuttles link to metro and tram lines; ask guides about routes that connect you to campus districts.
• English-speaking staff at major stations can help foreigners navigate the schedule and platform information.
• Keep a copy of contact numbers for your university or housing service; they can provide up-to-date updates about changes to lines and hours.