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InterNations - A Place for Germans in Istanbul

Grüß Gott to all Germans in Istanbul! Would you like to meet fellow German expats in Istanbul? Would you like to get insider suggestions from other Germans, e.g. where in Istanbul your hometown team’s next match is shown on TV or where to get roast pork with Knödel?

We would like to invite you to become a member of InterNations Istanbul. As a member of InterNations, you will have access to an active group of German expats, hailing from Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and all regions of Germany.

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Sven Baudach

Sven Baudach

My business partners, also mainly expats, and me, we always use the wonderful InterNations Events as an informal get-togethers.

Maggy Roswick

Maggy Roswick

With all the great information and contacts provided by InterNations, it was no big deal to get settled in Istanbul.

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An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

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Why you'll love InterNations in Istanbul

91,170
members in Istanbul
3,025
German members
95
monthly events
5,347
interest-based groups

and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!

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What our German members had to say about expat life in Istanbul

Here you can find both positive and negative quotes from Germans about their expat life in the Istanbul. We have collected them from our yearly Expat Insider survey, where our members share their thoughts about the cities and countries they live in.

Let's begin with the positives.

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I like the culture and the versatility of Istanbul. I enjoy being able to walk around and have conversations with strangers from all walks of life and learn from their experiences. — German expat in Istanbul
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The weather is nice, it’s easy to make friends, the food is great, and there are lots of cultural events. — German expat in Istanbul
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I love that you can get almost anything at any time for very little money. — German expat in Istanbul
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I really enjoy the fresh food and produce. If you make an effort to integrate, people are friendly. — German expat in Istanbul
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I really enjoy the work-life balance, the weather, and the variety of leisure activities. — German expat in Istanbul
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Now, let’s take a look at some of the challenges German expats may experience while living in Istanbul.

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The work-life balance is very challenging and is one of the main reasons I would consider leaving. Traffic and long commutes are also difficult, and I find the political and religious divisions can make open, respectful conversations challenging. — German expat in Istanbul
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I find some people can be rude and poorly educated, with little concern for the environment or disadvantaged parts of society. The lack of English can also make daily life difficult. — German expat in Istanbul
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Political and economic instability can be challenging. There are also often “foreigner prices,” and almost everything is negotiable, even school fees. I would prefer more standardized prices and fees. — German expat in Istanbul
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I find people can be too religious, and society and government feel very different from what I’m used to in Europe. — German expat in Istanbul
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I find safety for women challenging. — German expat in Istanbul
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Why German expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our German members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

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Meet fellow Germans at our events in Istanbul

Attend our monthly events and activities and join various interest-based groups to get to know like-minded expatriates and fellow Germans in Istanbul.

Swinging Waves, Flowing Wine | the Bosphorus Jazz Night
Dear Internations members, The Wine Group invites you to experience the magic of jazz and timeless rhythms on the Bosphorus during Istanbul's most beautiful moments! ⛵✨ Our focus for this special evening is simple: wonderful music, impeccable presentations, the freedom of the sea, and an unstoppab
Dear Internations members, The Wine Group invites you to experience the magic of jazz and timeless rhythms on the Bosphorus during Istanbul's most beautiful moments! ⛵✨ Our focus for this special evening is simple: wonderful music, impeccable presentations, the freedom of the sea, and an unstoppab
Exclusive Goodbye Summer Party
Exclusive Goodbye Summer Party
Jack's spirit proudly presents, Join us for an unforgettable Friday night above the sparkling skyline of Istanbul at the iconic SPAGO Rooftop — where elegance, music, cocktails, and international connections come together. Enjoy a pleasant time while sipping drinks and chatting with our InterNatio
Jack's spirit proudly presents, Join us for an unforgettable Friday night above the sparkling skyline of Istanbul at the iconic SPAGO Rooftop — where elegance, music, cocktails, and international connections come together. Enjoy a pleasant time while sipping drinks and chatting with our InterNatio
Florida Beach Festival Istanbul - the Season Closing
Florida Beach Festival Istanbul - the Season Closing
🌴☀️ ULTIMATE BEACH FESTIVAL ☀️🌊 📍 ISTANBUL — THE SEASON CLOSING 🔥 Get ready for an unforgettable weekend as we officially close the summer season in style! 🏖️🎶 ✨ Incredible vibes 🎧 Amazing music 🌊 Beach energy 💃🏽 Unforgettable moments 🎟️ Get your tickets online now! (...) Protected con
🌴☀️ ULTIMATE BEACH FESTIVAL ☀️🌊 📍 ISTANBUL — THE SEASON CLOSING 🔥 Get ready for an unforgettable weekend as we officially close the summer season in style! 🏖️🎶 ✨ Incredible vibes 🎧 Amazing music 🌊 Beach energy 💃🏽 Unforgettable moments 🎟️ Get your tickets online now! (...) Protected con
InterNations Istanbul September Newcomers' Event @NaN Şişhane
If you are new to Istanbul and/or new to InterNations, join us to mingle and meet other InterNations' members! Our Newcomers' Events are small, lovely get-togethers, especially for members new to our Istanbul community. Finding like-minded people in a new city can be quite challenging. Therefore,
If you are new to Istanbul and/or new to InterNations, join us to mingle and meet other InterNations' members! Our Newcomers' Events are small, lovely get-togethers, especially for members new to our Istanbul community. Finding like-minded people in a new city can be quite challenging. Therefore,

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Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends

Do you want to continue pursuing your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living abroad? You can do that easily in our InterNations Groups, which offer activities based on a wide range of interests. Groups are hosted by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to sightseeing to board game nights. For example, you can enjoy nature with the Outdoors Group, share your love of music with the Jazz Group, or go on an adventure with the Boat Trips Group. There’s something for everyone!

Weekend Activities Group
Weekend Activities Group
Out of the Office Group
Out of the Office Group
Singles Group
Singles Group
Trekking & Hiking Group
Trekking & Hiking Group

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German Expats in Istanbul Help You With Their Advice

With InterNations, German expats in Istanbul are able to find both the help they need as well as lots of valuable information. The "Queen Of Cities" offers so much for expats to explore - our community helps you enjoy your stay to the fullest.

  • Look through our Members Network to connect with Istanbul’s German expats.
  • Become active in our Expat Forums in order to find insider tips and suggestions from fellow German expats in Istanbul.
  • Make full use of the Expat Guide for Istanbul to obtain important information on your temporary home abroad.

Mix and Mingle with Germans in Istanbul at Our Events

Our Istanbul community is also lively and welcoming offline. The InterNations Ambassadors host regular get-togethers and a range of expat activities, e.g. a chic dining experience in Istanbul’s trendiest restaurant or a get-away with fellow German expats to discover Aegean Turkey, between the azure sea and silvery olive groves. These activities make it easy for you to get to know other expats from Germany in your local community and meet Germans in Turkey in a comfortable setting. If this sounds interesting to you, simply sign up for membership – we are looking forward to welcoming you among our Germans living in Istanbul!

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