Working in Turkey

Most expats who move to Turkey work in tourism, education, real estate or finance. The country’s economy is growing, but it’s becoming harder for expats to find jobs because the government is taking steps to reduce local unemployment.

As an emerging market looking to join the EU, Turkey offers a foot in the door for companies interested in European, Middle Eastern and central Asian expansion – and many multinationals have opened branches in Ankara and Istanbul.

The business environment is generally dynamic and competitive and there’s a lot of demand for high-quality goods and services.

While there’s a desire to adopt a Western approach to business in Turkey, the conservative influence of Asia and the Middle East remains strong. Family is important to the Turks, as is respect for their religion and culture.

Rank and authority are respected in business, and decisions are made from the top down. Despite this hierarchical approach, the opinions of the group are important. Management style is formal, paternalistic and polite. While conservative attitudes are still common, businessmen usually respect female colleagues. That said, Turkey lags behind most European countries when it comes to women holding management positions.

Turkish businesspeople value trust and loyalty, so it’s worth taking time to build personal relationships, even if this means things happen at a slower pace. First impressions are important, so speak positively about Turkey when you meet new business contacts. Maintaining direct eye contact is seen as respectful but be aware that certain types of body language such as crossing your arms or raising your eyebrows may be considered rude.

Although the Turkish lifestyle may seem laid-back, this isn’t the case in business circles. Schedule appointments well in advance and always arrive on time.

Turkish is the official business language, but English is widely spoken. Business hours are usually 09:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday, with a lunch break between 12:00 and 13:00. Muslims may break for prayers five times a day and leave the office early on a Friday. Working hours are also reduced for Muslims during Ramadan.

Business dress in Turkey is conservative. Men are expected to wear a suit and tie but can take off their jackets when it’s very hot and humid. Women also wear smart business suits, keeping their shoulders, arms and legs covered.

Men greet one another with a firm handshake and direct eye contact. This is often accompanied by the Islamic greeting ‘assalamu alaikum’ (‘peace be upon you’). Some women will shake hands with you but wait for them to initiate the greeting.

Gift-giving isn’t an established practice in Turkish business circles. When you’re invited to a colleague’s home, it’s polite to take something small for the host but avoid alcohol and pork products.

Expat salaries in Turkey tend to be lower than in many other Western countries, but the low cost of living means you’ll get a lot more for your money.

See what people responding to our Expat Explorer Survey think about living in Turkey.