How to Obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit in Turkey

Short-term rental of residential property in Türkiye requires a separate permit.

This applies to rentals of:

100 days or less under a single contract.

The rules cover:

• Daily rentals

• Weekly stays

• Monthly rentals

• Seasonal rentals

• Airbnb listings

• Agency-managed rentals

• Rentals arranged through messaging platforms

• Property management companies

In Russian, this document is often referred to as a “license.”

A more accurate term is:

Tourism-Oriented Residential Rental Permit

In Turkish:

Turizm Amaçlı Konut Kiralama İzin Belgesi

This is not a hotel license and not simply a listing registration.

The permit is tied to:

• A specific apartment

• A specific address

• A specific applicant

Without it, hosting guests is not legally permitted.

What Counts as a Short-Term Rental?

The determining factor is the length of the contract.

If accommodation is rented for:

100 Days or Less

it is considered a tourist rental.

It does not matter how the arrangement is described.

Whether the property is rented:

• For one day

• One week

• One month

• Three months

to different guests, it falls under short-term rental regulations.

The same applies when a property is:

• Advertised on short-term rental platforms

• Managed by a rental company

• Used for recurring tourist accommodation

Long Contracts and the Four-Contract Rule

A contract exceeding 100 days is generally not considered a tourist rental under Law No. 7464.

However, there is an important exception.

If the same property signs:

More Than Four Contracts

longer than 100 days

within one year from the first contract date, this becomes a separate violation.

The administrative penalty under Article 4/1-g of Law No. 7464 is:

1,000,000 TL

Who Can Apply?

The applicant is generally the property owner.

Applications may also be submitted by individuals holding:

• Usufruct rights

• Construction rights

over the property.

Multiple Owners

When a property has several owners, one owner cannot simply apply independently.

Shared Ownership

Approval is required from owners who:

• Hold more than half of the ownership shares

and

• Represent the majority of owners by number

Joint Ownership

If ownership is held jointly without defined shares, approval from:

All Owners

is required.

Foreign Owners

Foreign property owners may also obtain permits.

Required documents include:

• Passport

• Foreigner identification number or Turkish tax number

If the passport does not contain a signature, an additional signature declaration may be required.

Applying Through a Representative

Owners living outside Türkiye may appoint a representative.

A notarized power of attorney must specifically authorize:

• Permit application submission

• Communication with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism

• Receipt of official documents

• Representation during the process

Applications by Companies

Legal entities must provide:

• Tax number

• Trade Registry Number

• MERSİS Number

The application must also include documentation proving who is authorized to sign on behalf of the company.

Property Documentation

A current Land Registry record is required.

The documents must clearly show that the property has:

Residential Status

If the registry does not clearly indicate residential condominium ownership or residential floor easement rights, additional documentation may be requested.

Multiple Owners

If there are multiple owners:

• Ownership approvals must be submitted

• A responsible representative must be designated

This person will communicate with the Ministry and remain responsible for the permit.

Where Is the Application Submitted?

Applications are submitted through:

e-Devlet

Applications not processed through the electronic system may be returned without review.

Standard Apartments

Applications are reviewed by the Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism responsible for the property's location.

Example:

An apartment in Antalya is reviewed by the Antalya Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism.

High-Quality Residential Properties

Applications are reviewed directly by specialized departments within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Preparing the Documents

All documents should be prepared electronically.

Common reasons for rejection include:

• Poor-quality scans

• Missing documents

• Incorrect information

Incomplete applications may be:

• Rejected

• Returned for correction

Building Requirements

For a standard apartment in a multi-unit residential building, ownership alone is not sufficient.

A notarized decision from:

All Owners of Residential Independent Units

within the building is required.

The following are not sufficient:

• Majority approval

• Building manager approval

• Complex chairman approval

• Informal neighbor consent

If even one owner objects, or the decision is improperly documented, the permit will not be issued.

Residential Complexes

For apartments within residential complexes, authorities typically review the specific building containing the apartment.

Additional requirements may apply.

If the building is located within a larger residential complex, authorities may require:

Unanimous Approval of All Owners in the Entire Complex

before issuing the permit.

25% Ownership Limit

One applicant may hold permits for a maximum of:

25% of Independent Units

within a building.

This rule is particularly important for investors purchasing multiple apartments for short-term rental operations.

The goal is to prevent ordinary residential buildings from functioning as de facto hotels controlled by a single owner.

Exceptions

The unanimous-consent requirement does not apply to:

• Detached houses

• High-quality residential properties

The 25% ownership limitation also does not apply to these categories.

However, marketing language alone is not sufficient.

A building described as a:

"Residence"

in advertisements is not automatically considered a high-quality residential property under Turkish law.

High-Quality Residential Properties

To qualify, a property generally requires service infrastructure such as:

• Reception desk

• Security services

• Daily cleaning

• Professional management

Authorities may also evaluate:

• Laundry services

• Food services

• Fitness facilities

• Swimming pools

The building's management plan is reviewed separately.

Apartment Requirements

The apartment must be ready for temporary guest accommodation.

Required facilities include:

• Sleeping area

• Bathroom

• Toilet

• Living area

• Kitchen

• Hot water

• Cold water

Sleeping Arrangements

Proper beds must be provided.

Temporary folding beds intended only for emergencies are generally insufficient.

For each guest, the apartment should provide:

• Pillow

• Pillowcase

• Bed sheet

• Blanket or seasonal cover

Bathroom Requirements

Guests must receive:

• Face towels

• Bath towels

Fire Safety Requirements

The apartment must contain:

Fire Extinguisher

A chemical fire extinguisher is required.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke detectors must be installed in all separate rooms except:

• Bathrooms

• Toilets

Building Rules

Guests should receive information regarding:

• Building rules

• Emergency exits

• Pool rules

• Parking regulations

• Quiet hours

• Access procedures

Written information is strongly recommended.

Furniture and Equipment

Furniture, appliances, and plumbing must be fully functional.

Simply placing a bed in the apartment is not enough.

Problems such as:

• Broken air conditioners

• Poor bathroom conditions

• Damaged furniture

may cause issues during inspections.

Maximum Occupancy

Occupancy is calculated based on bedrooms.

Standard Rule

One bedroom = two guests

An additional:

Maximum Two Extra Guests

may be added.

Regardless of apartment size, the overall occupancy limit is:

12 Guests

Children under three years old are excluded from this calculation.

Advertising and occupancy must match the permit.

If the permit allows four guests, the property cannot be advertised as accommodating six or eight guests.

Room Rentals Are Not Allowed

Permits are issued for entire apartments.

Owners cannot:

• Live in the apartment and rent out one bedroom

• Divide the apartment into separately rented rooms

Tourist rental permits apply only to the apartment as a complete independent unit.

Responsibilities After Approval

The apartment must remain in the same condition in which it was approved.

Before each reservation:

• The property must be cleaned

• Prepared for new guests

Pest Control

Pest control measures must be carried out regularly.

Records must be retained.

This is a legal obligation, not merely a recommendation.

Guest Information Reporting

Property owners or managers must collect and submit guest information according to legal requirements.

Responsibility should be clearly assigned before operations begin.

Inspections

After permit issuance, inspections may occur.

If the property fails to meet minimum requirements, authorities may:

• Impose fines

• Require corrective actions

If violations remain unresolved, the permit may be revoked.

Scheduled Inspections

At least once every:

Two Years

Unscheduled Inspections

May occur because of:

• Complaints

• Guest-related problems

• Misleading advertising

• Suspected misuse of the property

Permit Costs in 2026

Submitting the application itself is free.

Payment is required only after approval.

Permit Fee

10,000 TL per apartment

Official Plaque

10,000 TL per apartment

Total Cost

20,000 TL per apartment

Each apartment requires its own plaque, even when multiple units belong to the same owner.

The plaque must be displayed at the property entrance.

Failure to display it is a separate violation.

Processing Timeline

For properties entering the tourist-rental market after:

1 January 2025

applications should generally be reviewed within:

60 Days

If deficiencies exist, applicants are given time to correct them.

After approval:

• Permit fees must be paid

• Plaque fees must be paid

Failure to upload proof of payment within the required timeframe may result in application rejection.

The entire process would then need to begin again.

Following approval, authorities inspect:

• Documentation

• Equipment

• Safety measures

• Occupancy compliance

• Actual apartment condition

What Happens If the Property Is Sold?

The permit is tied to:

• The property

• The permit holder

A new owner does not automatically inherit short-term rental rights.

When ownership changes (other than by inheritance), authorities must be notified within the legally required period following registration of the transfer.

Failure to do so may result in sanctions.

Buyers Should Verify

• Permit holder details

• Registered address

• Approved occupancy capacity

• Presence of the official plaque

• Inspection history

• Complaints

• Previous penalties

before purchasing a property operating as a short-term rental.

Penalties for Renting Without a Permit

Penalties in 2026 are substantial.

First Violation

180,617 TL per apartment

After the first violation, owners receive:

15 Days

to obtain the permit.

Continued Operation Without a Permit

903,088 TL per apartment

Repeated Violations

Up to:

1,806,177 TL

per apartment.

Additional Violations

Separate penalties may apply for:

• Missing plaques

• False advertising

• Excess occupancy

• Non-compliant apartment conditions

• Failure to report guest information

• Providing accommodation different from what was advertised

Conclusion

Obtaining a short-term rental permit in Türkiye is a comprehensive legal procedure—not simply registration on a website.

Authorities review:

• The applicant

• Property documentation

• Building status

• Building type

• Owner approvals

• Apartment equipment

• Ongoing compliance

For ordinary apartments in multi-unit buildings, the most difficult requirement is usually:

Unanimous Owner Approval

For the apartment itself, minimum requirements include:

• Proper sleeping arrangements

• Hot and cold water

• Linens

• Towels

• Fire extinguisher

• Smoke detectors

• Functional appliances

Before purchasing a property for Airbnb or any other short-term rental model, the first step should always be verifying whether the permit can actually be obtained.

If obtaining the permit is impossible, projected tourist-rental income should not be included in the investment calculation.

In that case, the property should be evaluated solely as a long-term rental investment.