HOURS OF WORK AND OFFICIAL HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY
Working Hours
Usually the working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The typical hours of work are between 09:00 am – 06:00 pm. Legislation requires employees to take a midday break between 12:00 – 13:00.
National Holidays
| DATE | ENGLISH NAME | REMARKS |
| Jan 1 | New Year’s Day | First Day of the New Year |
| April 23 | National Sovereignty and Children’s Day | Commemoration of the first opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara in 1920. Dedicated to the children. |
| May 1 | Labour and Solidarity Day | May Day |
| May 19 | Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day | Commemoration of the beginning of the national liberation movement initiated in 1919 by Atatürk’s landing in Samsun. Dedicated to the Turkish youth. |
| July 15 | Commemoration of the Democracy Victory and the Martyr’s Day | Commemoration of the victory of the people who resisted the July 15 military coup attempt in 2016. |
| Aug 30 | Victory Day | Commemoration of the victory at the final battle in Dumlupınar ending the Turkish Independence War in 1922. Dedicated to the armed forces. |
| Oct 29 | Republic Day | Commemoration of the proclamation of the republic in Ankara in 1923. |
(*) All holidays except Republic day are one day. Republic day is one and a half day. The half-day starts in the afternoon of the previous day.
Religious Holidays
| DATE | ENGLISH NAME | REMARKS |
| After the end of the Islamic month Ramadan (*) | Ramadan Feast | 3 full and a half-day (**) holiday. |
| 70 days after the the end of the Month of Ramadan | Sacrifice Feast | 4 full and a half-day (**) holiday. |
(*) Due to the fact that one year equals 354 days in the Islamic calendar, the dates of religious holidays shift each year with respect to the Gregorian calendar.
(**) The half-day starts in the afternoon of the previous day.
MONEY
The official currency used in Turkey is the Turkish Lira (TL) which is available as 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 TL banknotes and 1 TL, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 kurus. However, both Visa and Mastercards are readily accepted in Turkey. And most people rely on their credit cards and/or international debit cards to pay for goods and services and to withdraw cash.
What’s your money worth in Turkish Lira? Please visit http://www.tcmb.gov.tr to find out current exchange rates for the Turkish Lira before you reach Turkey.
BANK ACCOUNTS
Non-Turkish residents can open a bank account in Turkish lira, Euros or any other convertible foreign currency in Turkey. Opening a personal account is free of charge and it does not need any initial deposit. However, the rules and regulations for opening a bank account in Turkey are very strict and you may find the experience challenging.
Whichever bank you choose to open an account with, you will need to provide a number of original documents to confirm your identity and residence. These may include your passport, 11-digit Foreign ID Number, Work/Residence Permit, Driving License, employment contract, a document from Turkish Census Bureau confirming your address and/or proof of your previous address in the country you came from (Please note banks will not accept photocopies).
Upon opening your account, you will receive a debit card free of charge. There might be a small monthly fee. This debit card enables you to pay for goods and services and to withdraw cash from ATMs. Also, you will have Internet banking.
Banks in Turkey are open on weekdays (except Saturday and Sunday) between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m.
MOBILE PHONE COMPANIES
There are several mobile communication operators in Turkey such as Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom and PTTCell. Most of them have a good coverage for their customers. You can find some useful information in English from their websites shown below.
http://www.turkcell.com.tr/en/aboutus
http://www.vodafone.com.tr/en/roam-with-vodafone.php
https://www.turktelekom.com.tr/en/Pages/default.aspx
Turkish mobile communication operators offer different price packages – you have to choose which one is best for you. The easiest way is to buy a prepaid SIM card and insert it into your phone, as in this case you do not need to sign a contract. You can buy these cards from shops located at different parts of the city. Calls are priced based on usage units. The cost of a call depends on your usage and the company you prefer.
Mobile Phone Registration
You have a mobile phone from your country, you came to Turkey, got a Turkish sim card and then after some days you received an SMS from BTK (IT and Communication Authority) and the following days your phone is blocked. You have 120 days to register your phone after your arrival day. If you do not want to register your phone you can buy a cheap phone from stores.
First step: Tax Office Take your passport, 170,70 TL with you and go to Beyoglu Vergi Dairesi (Beyoglu Tax Office) it is near Şişhane metro station and Tunnel Square. After you get in the building you should go straight and ask for Vezne (Payment Desk). They will ask you IMEI number of your mobile. You can learn it by pushing these digits: *#06# After you learn your IMEI number write it down to a paper with your passport name and passport number. You will pay 170,70 TL and you will get a receipt. Here there is something you should pay attention. Please check the details at your receipt is correct or not. IMEI number, your name, surname and passport number. If there is a mistake you can not register your phone with this receipt. You will pay the tax again with the correct information.
Second Step: Registration
Registration with residence permit by e-Devlet:
You can go to any PTT office and get a e-Devlet password with your residence permit card. Then you can log in and register your phone to e-devlet website. In order to register your phone to the system you need to pay your tax in advance with the correct details.
TRANSPORTATION CARD
Students who study in Turkey will have an opportunity to get a discounted transportation card – Istanbul card. Students can use the Istanbul card while traveling by public transportation (buses, subway, ferries, microbuses).
In order to apply for the card student has to prepare the following documents:
1 Photo (recently taken)
10 TL card fee
Student Certificate
