Business
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 30,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 40,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3,200,000 TRY)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 28,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,240,000 TRY)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate for 2024-2026)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents (more than 183 days/year)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 40%
- VAT
- 20% (Standard), 10% (Reduced for certain services)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Turkish Tax Law
- Property Tax
- Annual tax ranging from 0.1% to 0.6% depending on property type and status
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4% of the declared value (usually split 2% buyer / 2% seller)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Turkey recently introduced a 'Digital Nomad Visa' for those earning $3,000+/month with specific tax residency exemptions for 1 year
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 45,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,800,000 TRY)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 35,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,400,000 TRY)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 42,000 TRY per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 2,520,000 TRY)
Essentials
- City
- Trabzon, Black Sea Coast, Turkey
- Population
- Approx. 820,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 35-50 Mbps on Fiber; Turkcell Superonline offers stable connections
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 32.50 TRY, 1 EUR ≈ 35.10 TRY (Values fluctuate; March 2026 estimate)
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use bottled water (Erikli 19L approx. 90 TRY)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets
- SIM Card
- Turkcell (Best coverage), Vodafone, Türk Telekom; Tourist SIM (20GB) approx. 900-1100 TRY
- Banking for Expats
- Garanti BBVA, Akbank, or Kuveyt Türk; Wise and Revolut are excellent for local card payments
- Accommodation
- Sahibinden for local listings, Airbnb for short-term stays
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, major credit cards accepted in malls and supermarkets; cash needed for Dolmuş (minibuses)
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb prices range from $600 to $1,200 per month depending on sea view
- Budget Accommodation
- Cebeciler Hotel (approx. 1,400 TRY/night) or various apart-hotels in Ortahisar
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Meydan (City Center) for proximity to transport and food
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kaşüstü or Yıldızlı for modern apartments with sea views and quieter work environments
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Trabzon Teknokent (KTÜ Campus) offers professional environments for tech-focused nomads
- Best Cafe for Work
- Gloria Jean's Coffees (Meydan) or Starbucks (Forum Mall) for reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets
- Networking Events
- Events hosted by KTÜ (Karadeniz Technical University) or industry meetups at the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce
- Social Events for Expats
- InterNations (Regional) or 'Expats in Trabzon' Facebook groups
Culture and Attractions
- Theater Venues
- Trabzon State Theatre (Trabzon Devlet Tiyatrosu)
- Local Markets
- The Russian Bazaar (Rus Pazarı) for textiles and souvenirs
- Music Scene
- Live Kemençe music (Black Sea fiddle) at traditional restaurants
- Street Art
- Ganita Park renovation area features modern sculptures and murals
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops at the Trabzon Gastronomy Center (Trabzon Gastronomi Merkezi)
- Art Galleries
- Güzel Sanatlar Galerisi (Meydan)
- Historic Buildings
- Kostaki Mansion (Trabzon Museum)
- Local Heritage
- Horon dancing (dynamic circle dance) is the symbol of local culture
- Must-See Landmarks
- Sumela Monastery (Cliffside monastery, 45km away)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum and the Trabzon City Museum
- Historical Sites
- Atatürk Pavilion (Atatürk Köşkü) and Ortahisar old city walls
- Religious Sites
- Gülbahar Hatun Mosque and Santa Maria Church
- Annual Events
- International Akçaabat Music and Folklore Festival (July)
- Cultural Districts
- Ortahisar District (The historic heart of the city)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Uzungöl (Alpine lake, 90km) or Hıdırnebi Plateau
- National Parks Nearby
- Altındere Valley National Park (Houses Sumela)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Beşirli Coastline (The 'Sahil' walk), extending over 7km
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Boztepe Hill (Accessible by car or steps for city/sea views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Sürmene coast during migration seasons (Spring/Fall)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Permitted camping zones in Sera Lake (Sera Gölü) picnic areas
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- PTT (Postal Service), Yurtiçi Kargo, Aras Kargo
- Tech Repair Services
- Teknosa (Forum Mall) or small independent shops in 'Kunduracılar Caddesi'
- Table Tennis Spots
- Trabzon Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate facilities
- Language Classes
- TÖMER (Ankara University branch in Trabzon) for Turkish courses
- Libraries & Study Spots
- İsmail Hamami Kültür Merkezi (City Library)
- Community Centers
- Trabzon Gençlik Merkezi (Youth Center)
- Gaming Lounges
- Various internet cafes near the university area (KTÜ)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Turkey; closest legal casinos are in Batumi, Georgia (3 hours by bus)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- BiTaksi (Limited availability); Local yellow taxis are abundant; use Taksimetre
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- HOP! Electric Scooters available along the Ganita-Beşirli coastline
- Best Beach Nearby
- Mersin Beach (Akçaabat Area) or Yalıncak Beach (Family friendly)
- Top Regional Airline
- Pegasus Airlines
- Top International Airline
- Turkish Airlines (Direct flights to Istanbul, Doha, Berlin)
- Highway Access
- D.010 Coastal Highway connects the entire Black Sea region
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Trabzon Otogar (Main Bus Terminal) for nationwide bus travel; no passenger rail access
- Public Transport Passes
- Trabzon Kart (Used for municipal buses); reload at kiosks in Meydan
- Regional Travel
- Dolmuş (Minibuses) are the primary way to reach Akçaabat or Yomra (approx. 20-30 TRY)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Medical Park Karadeniz Hospital or KTÜ Farabi Hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Specific yoga studios are rare; check fitness centers like Life Point for classes
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- MacFit (Forum Shopping Center) - approx. 1,200 TRY monthly
- Laundry Services
- Meydan Kuru Temizleme (Professional dry cleaning and laundry in city center)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yemeksepeti or Getir
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Akçaabat Köfte or Muhlama (Cornmeal and cheese fondue)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Vejetaryen Trabzon; many local meze spots like Bordo Mavi Balık offer vegetable-based dishes
- Best Dessert Spots
- Nejla Hanım Ev Tatlıları for Hamsiköy Sütlacı (Rice pudding)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Moloz Local Market for fresh produce and local cheeses
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Trendyol (Massive selection, fast delivery), Hepsiburada
- Grocery Delivery
- Migros Sanal Market or İstegelsin
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Faroz or Akçaabat Marina for upscale dining with alcohol; Meydan has small pubs
- Local Brewery
- Efes and Bomonti are locally available; craft beer scene is very limited
- Wine Bars
- Kule Performance Hall (Occasional wine service with live music)
- Street Food Stalls
- Hamsi Tava (Fried anchovies) available seasonally near the harbor
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pasha Grill (Middle Eastern/International) or various Italian spots in Forum Mall