Turkey (TR)
Turkey is a transcontinental nation straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait, uniting 85 million people under a rich civilisational heritage stretching from the ancient Hittites and Romans to the Byzantine Empire and Ottoman Empire.
Digital Services
Digital ID, e-government and essential apps in Turkey.
e-Devlet Şifresi / Mobil İmza
The e-Devlet (e-Government) password (şifre) or mobile signature (mobil imza) is Turkey's digital identity credential for accessing government services at edevlet.gov.tr. Despite Turkey's political challenges, e-Devlet is genuinely world-class — one of the most comprehensive digital government portals globally, offering hundreds of services from a single platform.
How to get it: e-Devlet Şifresi: visit any PTT (postal service) branch in person with your YKN (foreigner ID number) and passport. The PTT officer verifies your identity and provides a printed password. Takes approximately 15–20 minutes. Alternatively: use mobil imza (mobile electronic signature) — available from GSM operators (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) who verify your identity at their store and activate mobile e-signature on your SIM card. A third option: e-İmza (electronic signature certificate) from approved providers — more complex and used primarily for business.
E-Government Portal
https://www.edevlet.gov.trTurkey's e-Devlet system is genuinely impressive — often cited as a model for developing countries. Over 1,000 services are accessible online, reducing the need for physical government office visits. The portal is primarily in Turkish; use Google Translate for navigation until you learn the relevant terms. e-Devlet is available as a mobile app (iOS and Android). For foreigners, services require YKN (foreigner ID) — not available until residence permit is issued. Before ikamet: VKN (tax number) allows access to tax-related services only. After ikamet and YKN: full e-Devlet access.
Essential Apps
e-Devlet
FreeAccess to Turkey's comprehensive e-Government portal — hundreds of government services from one app. Download from App Store/Google Play. Requires YKN and e-Devlet şifre.
e-Nabız
FreeTurkish electronic health records system — view all your medical history, test results, prescriptions, doctor visits. Download medical records before leaving Turkey. Integrates with MHRS for appointment booking.
Istanbulkart / İBB Ulaşım
FreeIstanbul transit card management — load credit, check balance, view trip history. Essential for Istanbul public transport.
BiTaksi
FreeTurkey's main taxi-hailing app. Metered taxi safety with app tracking. Works across major Turkish cities. Essential for safe taxi use — avoid unmetered street cabs.
Papara
FreeTurkey's most popular digital payment and e-money app. Excellent for everyday payments, transfers, and getting started financially before opening a traditional bank account. Accepts VKN for registration.
Garanti BBVA / Akbank Mobil
FreePrimary bank apps with English interface. Garanti BBVA and Akbank are most expat-friendly. Full mobile banking, transfers, card management.
Trendyol
FreeTurkey's largest e-commerce platform. Excellent for household goods, electronics, fashion, and food delivery (Trendyol Go). Same-day delivery in Istanbul. Turkish language only.
Yemeksepeti / Getir
FreeYemeksepeti is Turkey's Deliveroo equivalent. Getir pioneered ultra-fast grocery/convenience delivery (10-minute delivery in Istanbul). Both essential for Istanbul food/convenience delivery culture.
ExpatCheapRent
FreeExpat-focused cheap rental finder at expatcheaprent.com — compares listings across major rental portals to help newcomers find affordable apartments.
sahibinden.com
FreeTurkey's largest classified ads platform — property rental/sale, second-hand goods, cars. Essential for apartment hunting and buying/selling goods.
Mavi Masa (Istanbul Municipality)
FreeIstanbul Metropolitan Municipality service app — utility complaints, municipal services, park and road reports.
MHRS
FreeMerkezi Hekim Randevu Sistemi — book medical appointments at public hospitals throughout Turkey. Available as app or web (mhrs.gov.tr). Requires YKN/SGK number.
Google Maps / Yandex.Maps
FreeBoth work well in Turkey. Yandex.Maps has slightly better public transport integration for Istanbul. Google Maps has better walking and driving navigation.
Turkey has advanced digital infrastructure in cities — high-speed fibre internet, widespread 4G/5G, and excellent public wifi (İBBwifi in Istanbul). Despite political pressures (some websites and platforms have been blocked over the years — Wikipedia was blocked 2017–2019; some VPN usage is common), for everyday expat needs the digital ecosystem is functional and sophisticated. VPN usage is widespread — services like Express VPN and Mullvad commonly used. Note: using a VPN to access blocked content is a legal grey area in Turkey — not explicitly criminalised for personal use but monitor current situation. Turkey's internet speed and reliability in Istanbul is excellent — typically 100–500Mbps in modern buildings.