Employment in Ankara

Working in Ankara as an expat will require the correct paperwork and permits, but these are easy to arrange through your embassy. The fields of work open to you are vast, and you can be at the center of a burgeoning and lively part of the world as it grows rapidly into a strong and efficient technological and industrial powerhouse. Find your dream career in the beautiful city of Ankara.

Job Hunting in Ankara

Finding a job might seem daunting, but with many English-speaking workplaces hiring plus a high demand for multilingual workers, you’re sure to find the right position for you. Ankara is home to Turkey’s many international embassies and is therefore a common destination for overseas diplomats, with plenty of governmental and civil service jobs open for the right candidates. Also is a great destination for teachers looking to make a change, with careers available in international and language schools. Work permits and visas should be applied for and submitted together, as you’ll need both parts to start work in Ankara. In order to apply, you need to have proof of job acceptance, so job hunting should be started as soon as possible on arrival. If possible, secure work before you leave via online web agencies or by direct application to companies in your field.

Income Taxation in Ankara

Expatriates living and working in Ankara will be required to pay income tax on their earnings. However, your residential status will determine the limitations of your tax liability. If you live and work in Ankara for more than six months in the fiscal year, you are classed a resident for tax purposes and will pay income tax at Turkish rates on your worldwide income. On the other hand, if you live and work in Izmir for less than six months a year, you are classed as a non-resident for tax purposes, and will therefore only pay income tax at Turkish rates on your Turkish income.

The tax rates in 2014 for expatriates working in Izmir were as follows:

• Up to 10,000 TRY — 15%
• 10,000 to 25,000 TRY  — 20%
• 25,000 to 88,000 TRY — 27%
• Over 88,000 TRY  — 35%

Local Economy

Turkey is still officially a developing country and this is visually apparent in many parts. However, the country’s economic centers, such as Ankara, are growing and strengthening. Agriculture is one of the key industries, though Ankara is seeing a growing number of businesses as the economy improves. Ankara is the center of the state-owned and private Turkish defence and aerospace companies, where the industrial plants and headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries, MKE, ASELSAN, Havelsan, Roketsan, FNSS, Nurol Makina and numerous other firms are located. Exports to foreign countries from these defense and aerospace firms have steadily increased in the past decades. Another important sector is construction, where private investment and global contracts have seen tremendous growth for Turkey. Electronics and tourism make up another big part of the local economy, and there are always plenty of jobs for workers with skills in any of these industries. Therefore, Ankara hosts the OSTIM Industrial Zone, Turkey’s largest industrial park.

Turkey trades throughout Europe and Ankara has links with worldwide cities for multinational working.