Turkey

British passport-holders require a visa for Turkey which is purchased at the point of entry. The visa currently costs £10 and must be paid for with a Sterling note. Tourist visas do not give you the right to take up paid or unpaid employment or to reside or study or to establish yourself in business in Turkey.

RESIDENCE VISA REQUIREMENTS

If you wish to reside in Turkey longer than the normal 3 month period allowed to tourists or set up a business with or without a Turkish partner, you will need a residence visa. All documents for residence visa must be submitted to the Turkish Consulate General at least eight weeks before the intended date of departure. For further information please contact www.turkishconsulate.org.uk or call 09068 347 348.

WORK PERMITS - EMPLOYMENT

We would advise that you contact the Turkish Embassy to discuss your needs. Work visa applications are admitted from 09.00 to 12:30 noon from Monday to Friday except bank holidays and Turkish holidays. For further enquiries, please contact the Office of the Labour Attache at the Consulate General on 020 75916911 or 020 75916918.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

As a Residence Permit is necessary before one can clear any personal goods from Turkish Customs most people purchasing property find it more convenient to buy their goods in Turkey.

However, household items may be taken into Turkey through a system called "temporary import" provided that one has a Residence Permit and the validity of the residence permit is not less than one year. For details of the relevant regulation please contact the Office of the Finance and Customs Counselor at the Turkish Embassy in London which can also provide information on the regulation concerning the temporary import of a car into Turkey. Information on Turkish Customs Regulation is available at the official website of Turkish Customs Administration at www.gumruk.gov.tr

EDUCATION

The Education system, all children between the ages of three and five can go to pre-school, with primary school education being given to all children between the ages of six and 14. All education is compulsory and free of charge in state schools. All children who have completed primary school can then apply for secondary education which takes a further three years. After this, some 1.5 million students apply to enter Turkish universities every year and around 250,000 of them pass the demanding examinations. To cater for the needs of the many foreign residents who are now living in Turkey, a number of international schools have opened where English is spoken.

HEALTH

No specific vaccinations are required before entering Turkey although hepatitis vaccinations and anti malarial tablets are recommended for travel to eastern Turkey. Foreign visitors are also advised to drink bottled water. Health insurance is also recommended as there are no reciprocal healthcare agreements between Turkey and the UK. While private healthcare and dental facilities are very good, state run public facilities are more basic.

Turkey's healthcare system is, in the main, not as advanced as those in many western European countries and we advise to take out private medical insurance. If you are to reside in Turkey we recommend you contact (info@expatriate-insurance.com).

Foreign residents with chronic ailments requiring medication are advised to keep a six-month supply of medication on hand. There are however, well qualified, multi-lingual, foreign-trained physicians in the larger cities.

LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Turkey is awash with leisure activities including Fishing, Golf, Air sports, mountaineering, trekking/hiking, thermal resorts, horse rising, plateau hiking, hunting, various winter sports, ornithology, numerous National Parks, yachting, underwater diving, rafting, water sports, terrific food, world class entertainment, intriguing historical sites.

GETTING TO TURKEY

BY AIR

From 1 May - 31 October direct flights are available from Scotland via several carriers. Turkish Airlines (THY) provides a network of domestic flights from the international airports of Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Adana, Trabzon, Dalaman and Antalya to all of the major Turkish cities. THY also fly's to and from most capitals of the world. British Airways fly's from London to Istanbul. Easy-jet fly from London to Istanbul. There are numerous charter companies flying to Bodrum, Dalaman, Antalya. British Airways will be flying from London-Izmir as of March 2006. Cyprus Turkish Airlines fly from Stanstead on Sunday to Dalaman throughout the year; Monday, Friday, Saturday from Heathrow and Stanstead to Izmir.

DRIVING

It is approximately 3000km by road from London to Istanbul. Although most of the roads are well surfaced and well maintained, some sections experience heavy traffic and are occasionally in need of repair. International border checkpoints can add significant delays to the journey. Two routes are suggested: the northern route via Belgium, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria and the southern route through Italy and from there by ferry to Turkey.

The following documentation is required to bring a vehicle into Turkey

• Passport
• International driving license (recommended) and/or valid license from country of origin
• Vehicle registration
• Power of Attorney if vehicle is registered to someone else
• International green Insurance Card (TR to be visible)
• Carnet de Passage

CAR HIRE

Your normal UK driving licence is valid in Turkey, you do not require an International Licence.  You must carry with you at all times your driving licence along with all the papers relating to the car hire.  In the event of an accident involving damage to vehicle or persons, the accident must be reported to both the police (local Gendarmerie) and the rental company.

USEFUL ADDRESSES