Looking for British Expats in Turkey?

Is Turkey a good move for British expats? 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 British expats in Turkey wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• The weather. Warm, sunny days top the list by a wide margin, and 71% of expats in Turkey rate the climate and weather positively, against 58% globally.

• The food and nature are a joy. Fresh local cuisine (72% rate culinary variety positively) and a beautiful natural environment (87%) are constant themes.

• People are warm and life is relaxed. Britons describe friendly, caring locals and an uncomplicated, good quality of life, often at an affordable price.

• Getting around and travelling are easy. 82% rate the availability of public transportation positively, and Turkey's location makes exploring simple.

"- The economy is the biggest strain. Inflation weighs heavily, just 16% of expats in Turkey rate the state of the economy positively and 23% the general cost of living.

• Politics and rights worry people. Only 30% rate political stability positively, and Britons raise press freedom, corruption, and the legal system.

• Bureaucracy is hard to navigate. Just 19% find it easy to deal with local authorities, well below the 38% global average.

• The language and winters take adjusting. Only 30% say Turkish is easy to learn, and inland winters can be colder than expected."

For Britons, Turkey offers sunshine, wonderful food, warm people, and an affordable, relaxed lifestyle — a big draw for the sizeable British community there. The trade-offs are economic and political: inflation, instability, and bureaucracy. Overall happiness (58%) sits below the global average, reflecting the strain more than the lifestyle.

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 British 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 Brits 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 Brits in Turkey, residing in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Brits in Istanbul or Brits in Ankara.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for British 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 United Kingdom 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 roast beef in Ankara.
• Search the InterNations Places database for Turkey to get information on institutions from your home country, including the British embassy.

From the Bosporus to Aegean Turkey, between the azure sea and silvery olive groves, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly British 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 United Kingdom and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Brits living in Turkey!