A.J. Griffiths-Jones

When considering moving to Turkiye, it is important to carefully calculate your cost of living here, especially if a pension is your only source of income.

There are a few tariffs that might surprise you, as they may differ from those in your home country and, despite many utilities and costs being cheaper than in Europe, it’s best to be prepared for those additional outgoings.

For example, while council tax is much lower in Turkiye it is charged per person according to those registered on the Tapu, or title deeds, so each household member will need to pay their share.

It is particularly important to keep payments up to date, usually at the beginning of every year, as if you are in arrears and decide to sell your home you may find that you need to pay in full before exchanging contracts with a buyer.

Mobile phone tariffs also differ over here, with a monthly tax on wireless usage. In most cases you will need to pay this separately to your top-up amount by texting the number given by your service provider. The monthly fee is small but if you are not aware it will accumulate for months and result in a hefty bill.

If you drive in Turkiye, be sure to regularly check your e-Devlet for any speeding, parking or traffic offence fines as they may be delayed in the mail. Most fines have a discount if paid in full within a certain period. It is also sensible to keep credit on your HGS at the PTT (post office) or on-line to enable easy use at electronic toll gates when you enter or exit the motorway.

On a side note, for motorists, at times of natural disasters in Turkiye, such as earthquakes, you may be required to pay an additional road tax fee which goes towards funding aid for those in affected areas. This is usually the same amount as the yearly road tax charge, so in effect you will be required to pay twice.

Be banking savvy by checking whether ATMs charge for withdrawals, as not all are free for certain cards. Likewise, when transferring funds to different accounts, don’t get over-excited by the currency exchange rate as fees may apply when transferring to different accounts, especially if it is from Turkiye to your home country and vice-versa.

While many of us have opted for SGK health insurance, don’t expect all treatment and prescriptions to be covered. There are many different levels of care over here, from state hospitals to private clinics, and many premium or specialist drugs and procedures are charged at a higher cost, a large percentage of which you will be expected to pay.

For minor ailments, it is quite often sensible to buy local over-the-counter medicines rather than asking your doctor for a prescription. Such conditions as flu, ear-ache, hay fever and migraine can all be treated by a knowledgeable pharmacist.

Earlier this year the Turkish government announced higher electricity bills for households consuming over a certain amount of power, resulting in many people finding themselves with doubled tariffs. It is an attempt to make Turkiye more eco-friendly, and the move makes good sense.

Try to reduce electricity intake by switching off unnecessary electrical items, such as lights, open windows in the evening instead of resorting to air-conditioning and use an outdoor barbecue to cook on rather than an oven in summer.

In short, we expats need to look at our rainy-day funds before taking the plunge and moving to Turkiye. It’s easy to get carried away with the idyllic seaside settings of many resorts here, with the sun on your head and your heart carried away by the stylish and affordable properties available in Turkiye but be realistic.

It’s easy to contemplate downsizing to a smaller house or apartment should needs must, but don’t forget that a property of less value will affect your residency application if it falls below the required threshold.

It is also important to note that revaluations are required for those applying for long-term residency but have moved house or bought their property at a lower value than the current minimum requirement for investment here. This alone incurs additional cost.

When all is said and done, write out your checklist, look at the pros and cons, and take a long-term look at the future. Every country has its differing laws and expenses, just make sure that you have thought about all eventualities.