Looking for Australian Expats in Turkey?

Is Turkey a good move for Australians? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Australian expats in Turkey wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there. This is a small sample, so read it as a friendly snapshot rather than the last word.

• The nature and weather are stunning. 87% of expats in Turkey rate the natural environment positively and 71% the climate and weather (vs. 58% globally).

• Food and history are the heart of it. Cuisine, ancient sites, and a central position that makes exploring easy come up constantly.

• Getting around and socialising are easy. 82% rate the availability of public transportation positively, and Australians find it easy to make friends and stay active.

• It's safe and full of things to do. 78% rate personal safety positively, with a varied environment and plenty of activities.

• The economy and cost of living strain people. Just 16% of expats in Turkey rate the state of the economy positively and 23% the general cost of living, amid high inflation.

• Work visas and bureaucracy are hard. Only 19% find dealing with authorities easy, and the lack of available work visas pushes some to rely on a local partner's income.

• The language is a barrier. Just 30% say Turkish is easy to learn, and few locals speak English.

• Cities can feel harsh. Rubbish, a lack of green space, and political concerns come up, with stability rated at 30%.

For Australians, Turkey offers stunning nature, wonderful food, deep history, and an easy social life. The trade-offs are economic and administrative: inflation, work visas, and the language. Overall happiness (58%) sits below the global average, so with a small sample, treat this as a snapshot.

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 Australian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in Turkey is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Australians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Turkish way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Australians in Turkey, residing in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Australians in Istanbul or Australians in Ankara.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Australian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Turkish InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Australia in Turkey.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our Turkey Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get vegemite in Ankara.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Turkey to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Australian embassy.

From the Bosporus to Aegean Turkey, between the azure sea and silvery olive groves, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Australian expats in Turkey.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in Turkey. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Turkish köfte, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Istanbul’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see semi-desert Anatolia as well as other beautiful landmarks in Turkey.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Australia and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Australians living in Turkey!