Turkey Reopens Almost All Restricted Districts for Residence Permits

Important changes have taken place in Turkey for foreigners planning to apply for a residence permit through property ownership. According to local media reports, the e-ikamet online system has started accepting applications across almost the entire country again, without the previous district-based restrictions.

Based on the latest information, only two districts in Istanbul remain closed to new applicants – Fatih and Esenyurt. Other locations that were previously restricted due to a high concentration of foreign residents are once again available for residence permit applications.

What has changed

Turkey previously had restrictions on residence permit applications in specific districts and neighbourhoods. These measures applied to popular locations in Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya, and other cities where the share of foreign residents had exceeded the permitted threshold.

As a result, foreign buyers often faced a paradoxical situation: they could legally purchase property but were unable to apply for a residence permit using that address. The issue was especially noticeable in popular areas of Alanya, including Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar, and Kargıcak.

The situation is now changing. The e-ikamet system, through which residence permit applications are submitted, allows applicants to register addresses that were previously blocked. This means that the technical barrier to submitting documents has been removed in most districts.

Why this matters for property buyers

The reopening of these districts may significantly revive interest in Turkish real estate. For buyers, it expands the choice of locations: popular areas that were previously less convenient because of immigration restrictions can now be considered again.

For the market, this is also an important signal. District closures had been limiting demand for several years, especially among buyers who were purchasing property not only for holidays or investment, but also for legal long-term residence in Turkey.

However, it is important to understand that the ability to submit an application does not guarantee approval. Each residence permit decision is still made individually and depends on the property, its value, the applicant’s documents, and the current requirements of the migration authorities.

Who should be especially careful

Buyers should be particularly cautious with older housing stock and lower-priced properties. For a residence permit based on property ownership, the property must still meet the official requirements, including the minimum value threshold.

That is why it is important to check not only the district, but also the legal status of the property, the Tapu records, the appraisal value, and whether the specific property can be used as a basis for a residence permit application.

What happens next

More official clarifications and updated application practices are expected in the near future. Still, the current changes in the e-ikamet system can already be seen as a positive signal for foreigners considering Turkey for living, holidays, or real estate purchase.

Before making a deal, buyers should consult a specialist and check the property across all key parameters: district, value, documents, residence permit conditions, and possible risks. This helps avoid a situation where the property has already been purchased but cannot be used for legal residence in Turkey.