Essentials
- City
- Ankara, Central Anatolia, Turkey
- Population
- 5,800,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 45 Mbps (Fiber available up to 1000 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- Turkish Lira (TRY). 1 USD ≈ 31.50 TRY, 1 EUR ≈ 34.20 TRY
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 19L carboys (approx. 70 TRY)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Turkcell (Best coverage), Türk Telekom, Vodafone. Tourist SIM ~800-1200 TRY
- Banking for Expats
- Garanti BBVA, Yapı Kredi, and Wise/Revolut for international transfers
- Accommodation
- Sahibinden for local listings, Airbnb for short term
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly cashless; credit cards accepted almost everywhere except small bazaars
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Blueground (premium serviced apartments in Çankaya)
- Budget Accommodation
- Deeps Hostel (Arka Sokak No:4) ~500 TRY/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Ulus (Historical sites) or Kızılay (City center hub)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Çankaya, specifically Bahçelievler or Tunalı Hilmi for cafes and social life
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workinton (Next Level Loft Office) ~4,500 TRY/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Lab (Kızılay) or Padam Coffee (Tunalı)
- Networking Events
- Ankara Digital Nomads Meetup, ATOM (Animation Technologies and Game Development Center)
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations Ankara, Ankara Expats Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- BiTaksi (Very reliable in Ankara)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Martı (Electric scooters) - found via mobile app
- Best Beach Nearby
- Inkumu Beach (Bartın), approx. 3.5 hours drive north
- Top Regional Airline
- AnadoluJet (Turkish Airlines subsidiary)
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines
- Highway Access
- O-4 (Ankara-Istanbul) and O-21 (Ankara-Niğde)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ankara YHT Gar (High-Speed Rail Station)
- Public Transport Passes
- Ankarakart (Reusable smart card for Metro and Bus)
- Regional Travel
- YHT High-Speed Train to Istanbul (4.5h) or Konya (1.5h)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Güven Hospital (Private, English-speaking staff, Çankaya)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Sala (Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MACFit (Multiple locations including Armada Mall) ~1,200 TRY/month
- Laundry Services
- Dry Center (Kızılay or shopping malls)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yemeksepeti, GetirFood
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Ankara Tava (Lamb with orzo) or Ankara Simit
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veganka (Kavaklıdere)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baklavacı Hacı Baba (Ulus)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- A101, BIM, and local weekly neighborhood bazaars
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trendyol, Hepsiburada
- Grocery Delivery
- Getir, Migros Hemen
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Tunalı Hilmi Caddesi and Kennedy Caddesi
- Local Brewery
- The Soul Pub (Extensive craft beer selection)
- Wine Bars
- Fige Restaurant & Bar (Çankaya, great view)
- Street Food Stalls
- Aspava (Multiple locations, classic Ankara dining experience)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Quick China (Asian fusion, multiple locations)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Anıtkabir (Mausoleum of Atatürk), Ankara Castle
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, CerModern
- Historical Sites
- Temple of Augustus and Roman Baths
- Religious Sites
- Kocatepe Mosque, Hacı Bayram Mosque
- Annual Events
- Ankara International Film Festival (April)
- Cultural Districts
- Hamamönü (Restored old houses and crafts)
- Theater Venues
- Ankara Opera House, Cüneyt Gökçer Sahnesi
- Local Markets
- Samanpazarı (Traditional antiques and textiles)
- Music Scene
- Jolly Joker Ankara (Live mainstream music)
- Street Art
- Mural Ankara projects in Ayvalı and Çankaya areas
- Cooking Classes
- Chef’s Table Culinary Academy
- Art Galleries
- Gallery Nev, Siyah Beyaz Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- First Parliament Building (Old TBMM)
- Local Heritage
- Angora Wool and the Angora Cat
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Eymir Lake (Cycling and walking), Mogan Lake
- National Parks Nearby
- Soğuksu National Park (Kızılcahamam)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Dikmen Vadisi (Urban park with trails)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Atakule Observation Tower
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mogan Lake bird sanctuary
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Selected BBQ areas in Ahlatlıbel Ataturk Park
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PTT (Postal), Aras Kargo, Yurtiçi Kargo
- Tech Repair Services
- Gürgençler (Apple Authorized Service Provider)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Ankara Table Tennis Specialization Club
- Language Classes
- TÖMER (Ankara University Language Center)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- National Library of Turkey (Bahçelievler), Millet Kütüphanesi
- Community Centers
- Çankaya Municipality Contemporary Arts Center
- Gaming Lounges
- Adeks Ankara (E-sports focus)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Not available (Illegal in Turkey)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $44,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $60,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $1,400 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $72,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate for 2026)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (over 183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 20% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable if foreign entity is 50%+ controlled
- Property Tax
- 0.1% to 0.3% based on municipal valuation
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% (typically split 2% buyer, 2% seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Turkey Tech Visa and recent Digital Nomad Visa offering 0% tax for specific Remote Work categories (subject to conditions)