Your first days
A checklist for your first weeks in Alanya: phone, tax number, bank, housing, insurance and what to do once you have a residence permit.
In short
- Tax numberfree, issued the same day
- Foreign phoneworks with a Turkish SIM for 120 days
- IMEI registration54,258 TRY in 2026
- Addressregister within 20 working days of the permit
A short checklist of what to do in your first weeks so that everything afterwards goes smoothly.
1. Phone and internet
Turkcell, Vodafone and Türk Telekom SIM cards are sold in official stores with your passport. Important: a phone bought abroad works with a Turkish SIM for only 120 days. After that the IMEI has to be registered via e-Devlet or the tax office — the fee is 54,258 TRY in 2026, which is why many people buy a phone locally or use a tourist eSIM. Home internet is connected to an address under a contract, usually for 12–24 months.
2. Tax number (vergi numarası)
You need it for almost everything: bank, rental, buying property or a car, utility contracts. You can get it at the tax office (Vergi Dairesi) with your passport — free and on the spot — or online on the tax administration's website.
3. Bank account
Opened with a passport and tax number at the major banks — Ziraat, İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, Yapı Kredi, QNB, DenizBank. Some branches ask for a residence permit: if one refuses, try another branch or bank. You can open accounts in lira and in foreign currency.
4. Housing and contract
For a residence permit, the rental contract must be notarised. Check that it states the rent, deposit, term and who pays the aidat. Transfer or check the electricity and water accounts — you will need your tax number, passport or permit and the contract or title deed.
5. Insurance and residence permit
Buy Turkish health insurance and apply on e-ikamet if you are staying longer than 90 days. Details in Residence permit in Turkey.
6. After you get the permit
- Register your address at Nüfus within 20 working days.
- Get an e-Devlet password at any PTT post office with your permit card. e-Devlet lets you check fines and taxes and book doctor's and government appointments.
- Register with a family doctor (aile hekimi) near your home.
Useful to know
- The single emergency number is 112.
- Markets (pazar) run in every neighbourhood on set days — fruit and vegetables are cheaper there than in supermarkets.
Official websites
Information is current as of November 2026 and is for general guidance only. Turkish rules and fees change often — check the details with a lawyer before making an important decision.