Restricted Areas in Turkey can sometimes make the path to residency quite complicated for foreign property buyers. Take Sara’s experience, for example: she was excited to secure her Turkish residency by purchasing an apartment in Istanbul. However, she later discovered that the property was located in one of the restricted areas in Turkey, where foreign nationals are not permitted to buy. As a result, her residency application was rejected, and she had to spend significant time and effort selling the property and finding a new one in a different, eligible area.
If you’re planning to buy property in Turkey, having a clear understanding of these restricted zones and the latest regulations can help you avoid potential setbacks. In this article, we’ll explore the updated list of restricted areas in Turkey, the reasons behind these restrictions, and the recent changes in residency laws—so you can make a confident and informed decision.
Cancellation of Tourist Residence Permits and the Introduction of Restricted Areas in Turkey
Since 2022, following the normalization of conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Turkish government began enforcing a regulation originally announced in 2019 that limited the issuance of tourist residence permits. However, this time, the enforcement came with some notable changes.
One of the most important changes was the announcement of an official list of restricted areas in Turkey for foreign nationals. These are neighborhoods where newly arriving foreigners or those who haven’t previously registered an address cannot obtain residence permits or register their addresses.
According to this regulation, neighborhoods where foreigners make up around 25% of the population were initially classified as restricted. On July 1, 2022, this threshold was lowered to 20%, bringing the number of restricted areas in Turkey to around 1,200 neighborhoods.
However, there are three groups of foreign nationals who are exempt from these restrictions and can still reside and register their address in these areas:
Holders of student residence permits
Holders of work permits (Çalışma İzni)
Foreign property owners who purchased their real estate before the restricted zones were officially declared
These individuals are allowed to register their residence through either a rental contract or property ownership documents. Additionally, foreigners who had already registered and resided in these areas prior to the restrictions can continue to renew their residence permits without issue.
Moreover, buying property in restricted areas in Turkey no longer grants eligibility for a temporary residence permit based on property ownership for new applicants. The limitations on tourist residence permits for first-time applicants have become so strict that approval rates are now close to zero.
As a result, many migrants have started seeking alternative routes to legal residence, such as applying for student residence permits. However, this type of permit is short-term and subject to age restrictions and other limitations.
Another option—establishing a company to obtain residence—is also no longer a simple or low-cost solution, as it involves significant financial commitment and regulatory requirements. It is mostly suitable for individuals planning real business activity in Turkey.
Important Note: As of now, address registration for foreign nationals is only processed through the Immigration Office and is no longer handled by the civil registry offices (Nüfus Müdürlüğü) as it was in the past.
Complete List of Restricted Areas in Turkey for Foreign Nationals
Updated List of Restricted Areas in Turkey for Foreigners.
After the initial announcement of restricted areas in Turkey on June 6, 2022—which included 1,200 neighborhoods—additional restrictions were introduced on October 7 of the same year by then-Minister of Interior, Mr. Süleyman Soylu.
According to the minister’s statement, eight entire districts in the metropolitan city of Istanbul were officially classified as restricted areas in Turkey, where foreign nationals are no longer allowed to register for residency.
The newly announced restricted areas in Istanbul are as follows:
Küçükçekmece
Başakşehir
Bağcılar
Avcılar
Bahçelievler
Sultangazi
Zeytinburnu
These districts are now entirely closed to new foreign residency registrations, making it essential for anyone planning to buy property in Istanbul to carefully review the latest list of restricted areas in Turkey before making a decision.
Changes in Residency Law Through Property Purchase in Turkey
Before 2022, foreign nationals could easily apply for a short-term residence permit by purchasing any property in any part of Turkey. However, under the new regulations introduced in 2022, two important conditions must now be met when buying property to obtain residency:
First, the property must not be located in any of the officially declared restricted areas in Turkey. Otherwise, address registration and residence applications will be denied.
Second, the property’s value must meet a minimum threshold: at least $75,000 in major cities and $50,000 in smaller towns.
Later, on October 16, 2023, the Turkish Immigration Office announced a new regulation: in order to obtain residency through real estate purchase, the property must be valued at a minimum of $200,000—regardless of the city.
Those who purchased their property before this date are still eligible to apply under the 2022 rule (minimum $75,000). However, for the extension of their residence permit, they are required to obtain an official property valuation report from a certified appraisal company and submit it along with their other documents to the Immigration Office.
Aloproperty, a leading real estate and residency services company based in the beautiful city of Istanbul, is ready to assist you with expert guidance. For a free consultation, feel free to contact the experienced advisors at Aloproperty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing property in areas designated as restricted due to the high number of foreign residents?
Yes, obtaining Turkish citizenship through property purchase is still possible in restricted areas in Turkey. These restrictions only apply to short-term residence permits (Tapu-based “taşınmaz” residency), not to citizenship applications.
Can international students rent a property in restricted areas in Turkey and register their address?
Yes, foreign students are one of the exceptions. They are allowed to rent a property in restricted areas in Turkey and register their address to obtain a student residence permit.
Are foreign nationals allowed to invest in property located in restricted areas in Turkey?
Yes, foreign investors can still purchase property in these areas. However, they won’t be eligible to apply for residence permits based on property ownership if the property is located in a restricted area in Turkey.
Can foreigners who have already registered their residence in restricted areas renew their residence permits?
Yes, foreigners who had previously registered and lived in these neighborhoods before the restrictions were announced are allowed to renew their residence permits without any issue.
What are the exceptions to residence restrictions in restricted areas in Turkey?
There are three main exceptions:
Holders of student residence permits
Holders of work permits
Foreign property owners who purchased their property before the area was designated as restricted
How can I find out if a neighborhood is classified as a restricted area in Turkey?
You can check the latest list of restricted areas in Turkey through the official website of the Turkish Directorate of Migration Management (Göç İdaresi) or by consulting with a reliable immigration or real estate advisor like Aloproperty.
If you have any questions or experiences you’d like to share, we’d be happy to hear from you in the comments section at the bottom of this page. Also, feel free to contact the experts at Aloproperty for a free consultation. We are always here to support you!
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