The monthly cost of living in Turkey is relatively lower than in western countries, explaining why it is a popular choice for ex-pats. The amounts below are only approximate and will vary slightly according to the property type and where it is. Of course, someone who only uses the property as a holiday home a few times a year, will incur lower costs. All prices are in Turkish Lira but are converted to Euros, pounds, or USD using Google or XE.com.
Monthly Utility Bills
Electricity
Monthly electricity bills range from 80 to 200 liras per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Air con units consume a lot of power and are the primary contributing factor to high electricity bills. For this reason, by installing stand up fans or ceiling fans, some people lower their electric bills.
Gas
Generally, gas is used for the oven only in Turkey. It is sold in large bottles, the current price is approximately 90 liras. A large gas bottle will last an average of 6 to 9 months, depending on how much you use your oven. If you use your Turkish real estate a couple of times a year, a gas bottle can last you maybe 2/3 years.
Water
The old-fashioned water metres are gradually being phased out and substituted by pay-as-you-go metres. Costs vary from approximately 1 Turkish lira per cubic metre, on average. For water, a large family should factor in about 30 lira a month.
Bottled water for drinking
The price is currently 9 lira for a 19L bottle of water. How quickly you go through it depends on how many people are in your family. Ideal for use with a water dispenser, mainly when you drink more cold water in the summer months.
Internet
The Internet will cost about 50 lira per month for permanent living all year round. You can rent dongles from companies that will deliver them to your door if you use your property only as a holiday home. If you live in Turkey full time, you can have Wi-Fi internet installed, and it will cost you about 60 lira per month for unlimited use.
Annual costs for a property in Turkey
Council Tax
Depending on the number of people on the Tapu (title deeds) and your property’s price, the charge for your council tax varies. An average two-bedroom apartment you can expect to pay approximately 150 lira a year, it will vary from location to location.
Rubbish Tax
This is an annual one-off tax collected with the council tax and is about 80 lira a year.
DASK insurance
This insurance against earthquakes is compulsory by law. The cost varies between firms that use your apartment’s sqm to calculate it. A 70 sqm property is about 250 lira a year if you upgrade to contents and fire assurance, the cost increases.
Service Charges
A monthly maintenance fee is required if you buy an apartment or villa in a complex. As agreed by the official management committee, this fee goes towards communal electricity, water, maintenance of the swimming pool, pool chemicals and any other communal facilities. They range from 300 to 2000 lira per year, ranging from complex to complex.
Additional Costs
A villa with a private swimming pool still needs maintenance so that you can learn to either maintain the swimming pool yourself or hire a company for approximately 500 lira. Villa owners generally keep their swimming pools open from May to October if they live there throughout the year.
If you use your property as a holiday home, you may want to employ a management company before you arrive to carry out checks, handle bills, or clean your home.
If you live in Turkey all year round, the cost of residency fees and health insurance needs to be added.
