Accommodation in comfortable and safe conditions, obtaining a residence permit, stable passive income from renting out property, saving capital — investment goals may vary. Of course, all these options are united by the main thing — the investor’s desire to invest money as profitably as possible and without risks. These are the conditions that the Turkish real estate market offers.
Active economic development, a good investment climate, a loyal attitude towards foreigners and relatively simple legalization of residence have led to a rapid increase in the number of foreign citizens in Turkey. < /p>
Due to the uncontrolled influx of migrants in 2022, the Turkish government was forced to introduce certain restrictive measures and closed some areas of Turkey for issuing residence permits to foreigners. Read about the reasons for the changes and the current situation with the issuance of ikamet cards in our new publication.
Content of the article:
- What are closed and open areas of Turkey
- Why are areas of Turkey being closed for residence permits
- Closed areas of Turkey for residence permits
- Open areas
- Map of closed and open areas of Turkey for residence permit
- Turkish legislation on the issuance of visas and residence permits
- Offer from Point Property
What are closed and open areas of Turkey
Closed areas — these are areas where foreigners are prohibited from applying for ikamet. At the same time, there are no obstacles for purchase of housing for investment purposes or rent of apartments .
But you can extend a previously issued residence permit (until new amendments to the legislation are adopted).
Obtaining ikamet inareas of Turkey closed to residence permitsit is sometimes possible even with the initial application of foreigners. For example:
- If the TAPU was received before July 1, 2022.
- If the reason for the application is family reunification (for example, the birth of a child).
- If a citizen from abroad has entered a university located in one of the closed areas of Turkey.
Accordingly,open areas— these are the areas where you can apply for Turkish residence permit .
The basis for issuing an ID card is the presence of a long-term lease agreement for an apartment or a Turkish title confirming the right to own real estate.
Why are areas of Turkey closed for residence permits
The introduction of restrictions is explained by the fact that the number of visitors wishing to settle in Turkey has increased sharply. And this mainly affected a number of popular resort municipalities in the country.
More than 150,000 ikamet cards were issued to Russians alone in 2022, and more than 130,000 of them — annual tourist residence permits. According to statistics, many Russian-speaking citizens became owners of liquid property and were able to legally reside in Turkey.
In addition to Russians, the influx of legal and illegal migrants from Iraq and Iran has increased to Turkey, a significant portion of whom are seeking residence permit rights.
According to the reforms in the migration law, the number of citizens who came from abroad in relation to the total number of residents in a particular area should not exceed 20%. Those quarters where the specified parameters are exceeded are simply closed for issuance ID cards.
In this way, the Turkish authorities protect their citizens, since large migration flows have a negative impact on the growth of unemployment and aggravate internal problems (inflation, rising property prices, rental housing).
Closed areas of Turkey for residence permit
In 2023, the Migration Department prohibits the registration of ikamet in 1162 microdistricts of popular cities in the country, including Istanbul, Mersin, Alanya, Antalya, Ankara, etc. Most likely, the list is closed districts will be expanded as soon as the number of foreigners exceeds permissible limits.
The full list of districts is available at website of the Migration Department. It should be noted that, as a rule, we are talking about the closure of individual microdistricts or MAHALLE, which are part of large urban areas.
List of popular areas of Turkey closed for obtaining a residence permit in 2023:
| CITY | CLOSED AREAS |
| ISTANBUL | Bahçelievler: ŞİRİNEVLER. Başakşehir: İKİTELLİ OSB, ZİYA GÖKALP. Beşiktaş: YILDIZ. Beylikdüzü: BEYLİKDÜZÜ OSB. Beyoğlu: KOCATEPE, ŞEHİT MUHTAR, BÜLBÜL, ÇUKUR, KALYONCU KULLUĞU, YENİŞEHİR, KATİP MUSTAFA ÇELEBİ, BOSTAN, ASMALI MESCİT. Esenyurt: KOZA, YEŞİLKENT, ZAFER, PİRİ REİS, GÖKEVLER, AKEVLER, SULTANİYE, BAĞLARÇEŞME. Fatih: MİMAR KEMALETTİN, MESİHPAŞA, SARAÇ İSHAK, MUHSİNE HATUN, BALABANAĞA, MİMAR HAYRETTİN, NİŞANCA, KEMALPAŞA, KATİP KASIM, İSKENDERPAŞA, MOLLA GÜRANİ, MOLLA HÜSREV, AKŞEMSETTİN. Küçükçekmece: BEŞYOL, KÜÇÜKÇEKMECE İKİTELLİ OSB, MEHMET AKİF. Sarıyer: MASLAK. Şile: MEŞRUTİYET. Şişli: İNÖNÜ, ERGENEKON, MECİDİYEKÖY, CUMHURİYET. Tuzla: AYDINLI-KOSB. Ümraniye: DUDULLU OSB. Zeytinburnu: MALTEPE, YENİDOĞAN, NURİPAŞA, YEŞİLTEPE. Avcılar: DENİZKÖŞKLER, MERKEZ, GÜMÜŞPALA. |
| ANKARA | Altındağ: all areas. Mamak: all areas. Beypazarı: BEYTEPE, RÜSTEMPAŞA, ZAFER, İSTİKLAL, CUMHURİYET, Çankaya: DEVLET, CUMHURİYET. Keçiören: YEŞİLÖZ. Polatlı: ESENTEPE, GÜLVEREN, YENİ. Sincan: MALIKÖY BAŞKENT OSB . Yenimahalle: ANADOLU, İVEDİKKÖY, KARŞIYAKA. |
| MERSIN | Akdeniz: ADANALIOĞLU LİMONLU, SİTELER, KÜLTÜR, CAMİŞERİF, CUMHURİYET, ÇANKAYA, MESUDİYE, ABDULLAH ŞAHUTOĞLU, HAMİDİYE, KİRE MİTHANE, ÜÇ OCAK, HÜRRİYET, MAHMUDİYE, BARIŞ, KAZANLI, HAL, AKDENİZ, TURGUTREİS, YENİ, MÜFİDE İLHAN, BAHÇE, ÖZGÜRLÜK, MİTHATPAŞA, GÜNDO ĞDU, NUSRATİYE, YEŞİLÇİMEN, Ç ;AY. Erdemli: KIZKALESİ. Gülnar: YANIŞLI. Mezitli:İSTİKLAL, FATİH, SEYMENLİ, VİRANŞEHİR, YENİ. Silifke: ARKUM, SAY, SÖKÜN, TOSMURLU OSB, KURTULUŞ, PAZARKAŞI. Tarsus: KONAKLAR, ÇATALCA, YUNUS EMRE, EGEMEN, KULAK, BAHŞİŞ, YEŞİLTEPE,İ ATALAR, ÇÖPLÜ, 82 EVLER, KELAHMET, BARBAROS, KARGILI, AKARSU, BAHARLI, ŞEHİTKERİM, GİRNE, BAHÇE. Toroslar: TURUNÇLU, ALSANCAK, DEMİRTAŞ. Yenişehir / Mersin: DUMLUPINAR, PALMİYE. |
This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
47 m²
11036
This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.
1+1
65 m²
11035
This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.
2+1, Duplex
147 m²
11034
This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.
3+1
170 m²
11033
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.
1+1
55 m²
11032
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located in the Tosmur district, on the third floor of a nine-story building built in 2008. It is furnished and features two bathrooms and three balconies. It is 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the city center. Citizenship and residency are available.
2+1
110 m²
11031
This 1+1 apartment is 50 m² in the Mahmutlar district. This furnished apartment features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is located on the second floor of a four-story building built in 2022. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11030
This 1+1 apartment is 50 sq m and is located on the sixth floor and features one bathroom and a balcony. It is offered unfurnished. The building was built in 2023.
1+1
50 m²
11029
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², is located on the seventh floor of Block B in Mahmutlar. The building was built in 2021. The apartment is delivered furnished and features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is 550 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center.
1+1
55 m²
11028
This 110 sq m apartment in the Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2010. It has one bathroom and two balconies and is delivered furnished. It is 250 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. Citizenship is available.
2+1
110 m²
11027
This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the first floor, which is considered the second floor in height, and is offered unfurnished. The apartment has two bathrooms and two balconies. The building was built in 2017; it is 200 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property will be eligible for citizenship in six months.
2+1
115 m²
11026
This 104 sq m, 2+1 apartment in the Oba district features two bedrooms and a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is located on the third floor of a four-story building built in 2025 and is being delivered unfurnished. Citizenship and short-term rental options are available.
2+1, Duplex
104 m²
11025
This 4+1 villa, measuring 250 m², is located in the Kestel district on a 400 m² plot. It occupies the first, second, and third floors and is delivered furnished. It has three bathrooms and three balconies. Built in 2005, it is 500 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. This property offers citizenship eligibility.
4+1
250 m²
11024
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor in the Avsallar district and is offered unfurnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2025, and an occupancy permit has been obtained. The distance to the sea is 1,200 m, and the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
50 m²
11023
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the ground floor and is delivered furnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2015; it is 300 m from the sea and 200 m from the city center.
1+1
60 m²
11022
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor of a building built in 2025 in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment has one bathroom and one balcony; furniture is not included. The sea is 400 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11021
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is located on the ninth floor in the Mahmutlar district. It has one bathroom and one balcony. It is unfurnished. The building was built in June 2025. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and the city center is 2,000 m.
1+1
45 m²
11020
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is on the ground floor and unfurnished in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment features a 35 m² garden, one balcony, and one bathroom. The building was built in 2025.
1+1
45 m²
11019
This 1+1 villa, 52 m², is located on the sixth floor in Mahmutlar. It features one bathroom and one balcony. The villa is delivered furnished, offers sea views, and residence permit options. It is located on the beachfront, 50 m from the city center. The building was completed in 2023.
1+1
52 m²
11018
This 126.5 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It is located on the fourth floor and is delivered unfurnished. It features one bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. The distance to the sea is 750 m, and the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11017
Antalya areas closed to residence permits:
| PROVINCE | DISTRICT | MICRORAL DISTRICT |
| Antalya | Döşemealtı | AOSB 2 KISIM, AOSB 3 KISIM. |
| Konyaaltı | LİMAN, HURMA, SARISU. | |
| Muratpaşa | TOPÇULAR. |
As for Alanya, which has long been chosen by Russian-speaking citizens, here, despite widespread information on the Internet, the ban on obtaining a residence permit under TAPU affected only 4 districts. ;
Areas of Alanya closed to residence permits:
| PROVINCE | POPULATION | DISTRICT |
| Antalya | Alanya | KARGICAK |
| MAHMUTLAR | ||
| KESTEL | ||
| AVSALLAR |
Open areas
The number of open neighborhoods in cities popular among foreigners significantly exceeds closed ones. Against the backdrop of the changed situation, many Turkish developers have intensified the construction and improvement of new promising areas. The housing market is already overflowing with interesting offers to purchase apartments on the most favorable terms.
Among the most popular:
| CITY | DISTRICT |
| Areas of Alanya open to residence permit | Center, Payallar, Oba, Tosmur, Incekum, Turkler, Cikcilli, Demirtas, Gazipasa |
| Antalya areas open to residence permit | Kepez, Altyntash |
| Mersin | Mezitli, Tomyuk, individual microdistricts of Yenishehir |
| Izmir | Foca, Cesme, Bayrakly, Urla. |
| Istanbul | Avcılar, Beylikdüzü, Sisli, Beyoglu, Esenyurt, Fatih, Küçükçekmece and others. |
Map of closed and open areas of Turkey for residence permit
To find out the status of a particular region in real time, use the interactive map of closed and open areas of Turkey to obtain a residence permit.
In the search bar, enter the name of the microdistrict you are interested in or the address.
Marks on the online map:
- red color — the microdistrict is closed;
- green — the microdistrict is open for registration of ikamet.
Turkish legislation on the issuance of visas and residence permits
The migration legislation of the Republic of Turkey offers foreign citizens several fairly simple grounds for legalizing residence. All legal aspects for issuing visas and residence permits are indicated in Law 6458, which was ratified by the government in April 2013.
On the official Turkish Government website you can familiarize yourself in detail with information about the types of short-term residence permits, among which the most interesting for foreigners are:
Tourist residence permit. Short-term tourist residence permit is possible:
- When purchasing an apartment or villa in open residential areas, regardless of the cost of the property. Period of validity of ikamet — up to two years.
- When signing a contract for a long-term rental of an apartment (for a period of six months) in one of the areas open to residence permits. You should be aware that not all applications for a residence permit are currently approved. The main reason for failures — lack of a complete package of documents and discrepancy between the grounds specified in the application form and the applicant’s real goals. We recommend supplementing the package of documents with a bank statement confirming financial solvency and a reliable source of income.
Residence permit based on TAPU. This type of permit is issued if a foreign citizen has become the owner of housing, the cadastral value of which is at least $200,000 in lira equivalent at the time of execution of the transaction (these changes came into force on October 16, 2023). Ikamet validity period — two years.
Family residence permit. For citizens from abroad who have entered into a marriage with a Turkish citizen, as well as their children. Validity period — three years.
Another reliable method that guarantees the success of relocation to an eastern country legally, — This is participation in the state program of citizenship by investment. When purchasing Turkish real estate worth more than $400,000, you can apply for a second passport through a simplified and expedited procedure.
Offer from Point Property
Experienced real estate companies in the Turkish real estate market — These are not just intermediaries, but highly qualified specialists who will help you choose the best apartment option for any buyer’s needs.
By contacting the Point Property real estate agency, you are guaranteed to receive:
- professional advice on all financial and investment issues;
- individual selection of a suitable property from the extensive catalog of real estate presented on the website for any purpose: vacation, rental or obtaining a residence permit on the basis of TAPU ;
- maximum protection of your interests during and after the purchase of apartments;
- a wide range of after-sales services: assistance in preparing housing for occupancy, repairs and cleaning services, filing documents for citizenship and residence permits.
Are you thinking about purchasing resort property in Turkey in an open area to receive an ikamet card and relocation? Leave a request on the Point Property website right now, and we will quickly select the best options for you!
This 47 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the sixth floor of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 650 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
47 m²
11036
This 65 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Mahmutlar district of Alanya is suitable for residency. It is located on the second floor of a building built in 2014 and is delivered furnished. It has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 400 m, and to the city center is 200 m.
1+1
65 m²
11035
This 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 147 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors in Nizhnyaya Oba. It has two bathrooms and two balconies, and is unfurnished. The building was built in 2023. It is 550 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property is suitable for citizenship applications.
2+1, Duplex
147 m²
11034
This furnished, two-story, 3+1 villa, 170 m² in size, is located in the Kargicak district on a 290 m² plot. The villa features three bathrooms and two glassed-in balconies, sea views, and a private pool. The property is suitable for citizenship applications. Built in 2008, the villa is 2,300 m from the sea and 2,000 m from the city center.
3+1
170 m²
11033
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Avsallar district is located on the fourth floor of a building built in June 2024. It has one bathroom and one balcony and is unfurnished. The distance to the sea is 950 m, and the district center is 750 m.
1+1
55 m²
11032
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located in the Tosmur district, on the third floor of a nine-story building built in 2008. It is furnished and features two bathrooms and three balconies. It is 300 m from the sea and 150 m from the city center. Citizenship and residency are available.
2+1
110 m²
11031
This 1+1 apartment is 50 m² in the Mahmutlar district. This furnished apartment features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is located on the second floor of a four-story building built in 2022. The sea is 350 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11030
This 1+1 apartment is 50 sq m and is located on the sixth floor and features one bathroom and a balcony. It is offered unfurnished. The building was built in 2023.
1+1
50 m²
11029
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², is located on the seventh floor of Block B in Mahmutlar. The building was built in 2021. The apartment is delivered furnished and features one bathroom and a glassed-in balcony. It is 550 m from the sea and 350 m from the city center.
1+1
55 m²
11028
This 110 sq m apartment in the Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2010. It has one bathroom and two balconies and is delivered furnished. It is 250 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. Citizenship is available.
2+1
110 m²
11027
This 115 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the first floor, which is considered the second floor in height, and is offered unfurnished. The apartment has two bathrooms and two balconies. The building was built in 2017; it is 200 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. The property will be eligible for citizenship in six months.
2+1
115 m²
11026
This 104 sq m, 2+1 apartment in the Oba district features two bedrooms and a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is located on the third floor of a four-story building built in 2025 and is being delivered unfurnished. Citizenship and short-term rental options are available.
2+1, Duplex
104 m²
11025
This 4+1 villa, measuring 250 m², is located in the Kestel district on a 400 m² plot. It occupies the first, second, and third floors and is delivered furnished. It has three bathrooms and three balconies. Built in 2005, it is 500 m from the sea and 300 m from the city center. This property offers citizenship eligibility.
4+1
250 m²
11024
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor in the Avsallar district and is offered unfurnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2025, and an occupancy permit has been obtained. The distance to the sea is 1,200 m, and the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
50 m²
11023
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the ground floor and is delivered furnished. It has one bathroom and one balcony. The building was built in 2015; it is 300 m from the sea and 200 m from the city center.
1+1
60 m²
11022
This 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the third floor of a building built in 2025 in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment has one bathroom and one balcony; furniture is not included. The sea is 400 m away, and the city center is 500 m away.
1+1
50 m²
11021
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is located on the ninth floor in the Mahmutlar district. It has one bathroom and one balcony. It is unfurnished. The building was built in June 2025. The distance to the sea is 2,500 m, and the city center is 2,000 m.
1+1
45 m²
11020
This 1+1 apartment, 45 m², is on the ground floor and unfurnished in the Mahmutlar district. The apartment features a 35 m² garden, one balcony, and one bathroom. The building was built in 2025.
1+1
45 m²
11019
This 1+1 villa, 52 m², is located on the sixth floor in Mahmutlar. It features one bathroom and one balcony. The villa is delivered furnished, offers sea views, and residence permit options. It is located on the beachfront, 50 m from the city center. The building was completed in 2023.
1+1
52 m²
11018
This 126.5 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It is located on the fourth floor and is delivered unfurnished. It features one bathroom and a balcony overlooking the pool. The distance to the sea is 750 m, and the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11017
These materials have been prepared for informational purposes; they are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for transactions with residential and commercial real estate in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
