Moving to Turkey brings many small, practical challenges. You must navigate language differences, new addresses, and local services. Phone calls remain a fast way to sort housing, set up utilities, and meet people. Learning Turkey’s dialing codes and simple calling habits helps you avoid charges, missed opportunities, and confusion.
Dialing basics: country code, area codes and mobile numbers
Turkey uses the country code +90. Every Turkish number contains a three-digit area or mobile prefix and a seven-digit subscriber number. You find two common categories: landlines and mobile phones.
Remember this simple rule when you program contacts on your phone: use +90, then the three-digit prefix, then the seven-digit number. That format works whether you travel locally or call from abroad.
- Country code: +90
- Landline format: +90 312 123 4567 (example for Ankara)
- Mobile format: +90 5xx 123 4567 (mobile prefixes start with 5)
- Domestic long-distance: dial 0 + area code + number
How to place calls: step-by-step examples
Follow a few clear examples to make the process second nature.
Calling a Turkish landline from inside Turkey: Dial 0, then the area code, then the subscriber number. For example, to call an Ankara landline from Istanbul: 0 312 123 4567.
Calling a Turkish mobile from abroad: Replace the leading 0 with +90. For example, a mobile saved as 0532 123 4567 becomes +90 532 123 4567.
Calling internationally from Turkey: Use the international access code 00, then the destination country code, then the national number. For example, to call the UK from Turkey: 00 44 20 7123 4567. On mobile devices, you can press and hold 0 to insert + and skip the 00 prefix.
Use these practical tips to avoid mistakes:
- Store international contacts with +90 to ensure compatibility across networks.
- Drop the initial 0 when dialing Turkey from abroad.
- Use the + sign on smartphones for easier international dialing.
Emergency and essential service numbers
You must know key emergency numbers before you need them. Save them in your phone and keep a written copy in your home.
- 112 — Emergency (medical, fire, police dispatcher)
- 155 — Police
- 156 — Gendarmerie (rural areas)
- 110 — Fire brigade
- 122 — Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD)
Emergency services often coordinate in English at major hospitals and tourist centers. Still, carry your address written in Turkish to show responders. That action speeds response time and avoids language confusion.
Sims, eSIMs and saving on calls and data
Buying a local SIM delivers immediate cost savings and better local reach than roaming. Turkish carriers require ID (passport or residency card) to register SIM cards. You can buy prepaid plans at kiosks, carrier shops, or airports.
Consider these options and their benefits:
- Prepaid SIM: Pay as you go without a contract. You control costs and avoid long-term commitments.
- eSIM: Activate remotely on compatible phones for quick setup and less paperwork.
- Wi‑Fi calling and VoIP apps: Use WhatsApp, Signal, or Skype over Wi‑Fi to reduce voice charges.
- International bundles: Choose a plan with roaming or international minutes if you call home often.
Top up credit at convenient shops, online via carrier apps, or through kiosks. Use data-first bundles for messaging apps and reserve voice minutes for numbers that don’t use internet calling.
Common pitfalls and practical tips for everyday calling
Avoid frustration by following a few simple habits. They help you stay reachable and make calling smoother for locals.
- Save numbers in international format (+90) so you can call regardless of your SIM or location.
- Write your Turkish address and nearest landmark in Turkish and carry it for taxi drivers or emergency responders.
- Watch for premium-rate numbers that start with special prefixes; ask before you dial services you don’t recognize.
- Turn on voicemail and set a clear greeting in English and Turkish if you use the number for local contacts.
- Respect local calling hours; avoid calling very early or late unless you have a prior agreement.
Keep your handset charged and store a portable power bank. When you travel between cities, switch to a data-first approach for navigation and messaging to save minutes.
Learning phone etiquette and dialing norms eases daily life in Turkey. You will connect faster, reduce costs, and handle emergencies confidently. Follow the examples here, save the essential numbers, and program your phone in the international format to stay prepared.
