Moving House in Turkey

The essential facts you need and things to be remembered when moving house (around the corner or across the country) in Turkey...

A great deal of planning and preparation is needed before moving home. Here are some specific tips to make sure that everything is done on time for a move in Turkey.

Change of Address

Most administrative formalities are dealt with by local municipal authorities. Holders of a residence permit must inform the foreigner's branch of the local Police station approximately 20 days before moving house. They will need to provide proof of their new address, for example a rental contract.

Holders of a Turkish ID number should inform the district registration office of a change of address as soon as possible after moving.

Insurance

All insurance companies should be informed of a change of address to ensure that the policy remains valid. Some types of insurance, for example home and car insurance, may need to be renegotiated depending on circumstances.

Tax

The Tax Office should be notified of a change of address after the move. Notification must be sent in writing to the local Revenue Administration Office.

  • To inform the tax office of a change of address online: Click here (in Turkish).

School

If a child is to change schools, the school should be contacted as early as possible to let them know that the child is leaving so that they can prepare any necessary documents for the new school. Enrolment takes place at the new school. The following documents are generally required:

  • Proof of address
  • Written application stating the reason for transfer
  • Student reports from the previous school

Post and Mail Forwarding

There are no mail forwarding services available from the Post office (PTT) when moving house in Turkey.

Rental Accommodation

There is no set period for a long-term lease agreement and the term may be decided by the tenant and landlord. However, long-term rental contracts are usually signed for a one-year period; this is automatically renewed if neither the landlord nor the tenant gives notice.

The tenant may terminate the lease by giving notice 15 days before the end of the lease term. If terminating a lease before the end of its term, it is advisable to give at least two months' notice.

Notice can be given by telephone to the landlord or, if renting through an agency, by contacting the agency. Written notice is not mandatory, but is advisable. If there are no problems when leaving the property, tenants can expect to retrieve their deposit within a week.

Utilities

Electricity and gas

Disconnection of the electricity supply is arranged by the customer, who should contact the electricity supplier's office with their customer number and the latest meter reading. It is advisable to contact the office at least three days before leaving the property.

Electricity distributors in Turkey include:

Disconnection of the gas supply is arranged by the customer, who should contact the gas distribution office with their customer number and the latest meter reading as soon as the moving date is known. It is advisable to contact the office at least three days before leaving the property.

Gas supply is delivered mainly by state-owned agencies. Some of the main gas suppliers in Turkey are:

Water

Water is supplied by the local municipality (belediye). To arrange disconnection of the water supply, the customer should go to the local water supplier's office and provide proof of identity together with the date that the water is to be disconnected or transferred to another name. It is advisable to contact the office at least three days before leaving the property. In general, there is a deposit that is paid back when cancelling the contract. The customer needs to present the receipt (makbuz) in order to be reimbursed.

Water suppliers in some of the main towns n Turkey are:

Telephone

Türk Telekom (TT) is the national supplier of landline telephone, Internet, ADSL and wireless connection.

To cancel a telephone contract, customers should provide at least three days' notice. There is a fee for disconnecting the service, which is added to the final bill.