Working in Istanbul: coworking spaces, cafés and remote work

Istanbul attracts more and more remote workers: the city is full of cafés where you can open a laptop, the trendy districts on both shores have coworking spaces, and the time difference with Europe is small. This guide offers a method rather than a directory: where to look, what to check, how to stay connected and what the residence rules say. Coworking spaces open and close quickly, so always check the space's website, hours and rates before you go. We publish no prices.

Where to work: cafés and coworking spaces

Cafés

Many cafés in Cihangir, Karaköy, Moda and Kadıköy welcome laptops, especially on weekdays and in the morning. Wi-Fi is free almost everywhere, but speed varies: test it before settling in and keep your phone's hotspot as a backup. Sockets are rare in small places, so arrive with a charged battery. Ordering something every hour or two is the unwritten rule; at weekends, busy cafés are less tolerant of long sessions. For atmospheric places, see our guide to cafés and tea rooms in Istanbul.

Coworking spaces

Istanbul has independent coworking spaces and networks of shared offices, concentrated around Beyoğlu, Şişli, Beşiktaş, Levent and, on the Asian side, Kadıköy. To choose:

Look at the formula: day pass, multi-day pack or monthly membership, and what the rate includes (coffee, meeting room, printing).
Check opening hours, at weekends and on public holidays: some spaces close during the two major religious festivals (public holidays and bayrams).
Ask whether an invoice is possible, useful if your employer reimburses the space.
Read recent reviews: connection quality and noise level matter more than the décor.

Which neighbourhood?

On the European side, Beyoğlu and Taksim offer the most choice and transport links, but the noise is constant. Galata and Karaköy are calmer by day and well served by the tram. On the Asian side, Kadıköy combines cafés, markets and handy ferries; the Bosphorus crossing is a good time to catch up on email. Sultanahmet, very touristy, is the least suited to daily work.

A public ferry from Kadıköy on the Bosphorus

Connection, sockets and local time

Time: Istanbul is on UTC+3 all year, with no clock change. The difference with France is one hour in summer and two hours in winter.
Sockets: 230 V, 50 Hz, European plugs with two round pins (types C and F).
Mobile internet: a SIM or eSIM is the most reliable solution on the move. Our guide to SIM cards and eSIMs in Istanbul explains how foreign phones are registered.
VPN and social media: access to some websites and social networks has occasionally been restricted or slowed in Turkey. If your work depends on them, ask your employer for an approved VPN and have a fallback.
Backup: carry a second way to connect (phone hotspot) and back up your files: a café's Wi-Fi can drop at any moment.

Residence rules: what to check

Working remotely for a foreign employer or clients during a tourist stay is a grey area, and regulations change. Entering as a tourist does not give you the right to work for a Turkish company. For a stay of several months, Turkey offers residence permits whose conditions and durations depend on your nationality and situation. Check with the Turkish consulate in your country, the official website of the migration authority and, if you are an employee, your employer and your insurance. Entry rules are in our guide to visas and entry to Turkey.

Organising your day

Schedule calls in the morning and keep the afternoon and evening for sightseeing: the sunset over the Bosphorus is worth it. Public ferries, paid with the Istanbulkart (how to use it), make a makeshift office. For the budget of a long stay, see the cost of a trip to Istanbul.