Living in Marmaris, Turkey, as an Expat

Marmaris has long been a draw for international expatriates, with beautiful beaches and coves, a near-perfect climate, and stunning shorelines with the gentle scent of lemon trees in the air. While life in Marmaris is relaxed and laid-back, the harbour city is also a vibrant and lively setting, with a great nightlife scene for residents who love to socialise and meet new friends.

The convenience of the daily ferry services that run between Turkey and Greece makes it easy to travel and explore new places, and you can reach multiple popular destinations, including Dalyan and Fethiye, in around an hour.

The team at Property Turkey, specialists in Turkish property acquisitions and investments, explain what life is like in Marmaris for new residents, and some of the tips and advice new expats may need to know before their relocation.

Moving to Marmaris as an Expatriate

Marmaris is a small city with a population of under 100,000 people, but it becomes far busier during the summer months when the landscape, culture and cuisine entice visitors from around the world. The marina and harbour are often bustling, with eateries serving everything from local traditional dishes to international cuisines.

While the city is a little quieter in the winter, there is much to see and do, with the weekly bazaars an excellent place to try local produce, which is highly affordable.

One of the first things many of our clients ask is whether they will be able to apply for a residence permit in Turkey, and the good news is that most international applicants find the process straightforward. You can either apply for a permit by demonstrating that you have the financial means to cover all your living costs and own a property or could even apply for full citizenship through the citizenship by investment scheme.

Foreign nationals who purchase an eligible Turkish home worth at least $400,000 (USD – £324,900) receive citizenship within as little as four months – you can also purchase several properties should you wish to, using those that you are not living in as rental investments.

Marmaris Costs of Living

While living costs in Marmaris are a little higher than some of the smaller towns in central Turkey, the average expenditures remain low and beneath those you might expect to pay in Bodrum or Datça. Utilities, fresh fruit and vegetables and transport are all affordable. Most residents only heat their homes for around three or four months of the year due to the warm climate, although air conditioning is advisable.

As a rough guide, we’ve looked at the current average costs of various essentials against the same averages in Manchester and London: 

Restaurant prices in Marmaris are over 50% lower than in London, with groceries and produce over 53% cheaper. Expats relocating from smaller towns and cities also find that living costs are remarkably affordable, partly due to the exchange rate between GBP and means everyday outgoings are considerably lower, from housing and electricity to transport and entertainment.

It is worth noting that the influx of visitors in the summer months can mean that rental prices reach a premium. Most residents renting rather than purchasing a home in Marmaris agree on a long-term rental contract in advance to ensure their living costs do not change with the seasons.

Local Transport Options and Amenities in Marmaris

Transport is widely available and relatively low-cost, with a variety of options from local buses and boats that act as sea buses to ferries and taxis, all of which make it simple to travel around the city, or to visit new places further along the coast.

Minibuses called dolmuş, or shared taxis, run until late in the evening, with green buses serving the city centre, blue vehicles heading to and from Armutalan, and orange buses travelling to Içmeler. Each minibus displays a letter D and a list of the major stops. Passengers pay a fixed fare regardless of how far they wish to travel.

The average cost of a private taxi from the central market to the port is 10 TL (£0.25), whereas you’d pay around 30 TL (£0.75) to travel to the same destination from Içmeler.

Medical Care and Healthcare Facilities

Expatriates normally need to have private medical insurance before they relocate – this enables you to access high-quality treatments from the private facilities and clinics based in Turkey. The low costs of private healthcare also mean that Turkey attracts visitors travelling for elective or beauty treatments.

If you live in Turkey for over one calendar year, you may wish to apply for Universal Health Insurance, with a monthly contribution of around 800 TL (£19.98) per person. This type of coverage enables expats to access all emergency and non-emergency health centres, with discounts against private treatments.

Medications are similarly affordable, and residents without universal or private health insurance pay a modest fee to collect prescription or over-the-counter medications.

In Marmaris, you’ll find both public and private facilities such as the Marmaris State Hospital, the Ahu Hospital and the Yücelen Hospital, as well as several specialists and clinics.

Finding a Perfect Home or Holiday Residence in Marmaris

Marmaris offers excellent quality of life, with up to 10 months of sunshine a year, and warm sea temperatures that are perfect for swimming. The low living costs and outdoor lifestyle provide fantastic opportunities for expats looking for a tranquil setting with endless entertainment and a multicultural community.

For more information about purchasing a property or apartment in Marmaris, or to learn more about life for expatriates in this beautiful part of Turkey, please contact Property Turkey at your convenience.