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*** This release is originally published in Turkish.

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ISTANBUL (TR) - 1,169 neighborhoods in Turkey were closed to new foreign residences. Tekçe Overseas Chairman of the Board of Directors Bayram Tekçe said that after the decision, the demand for foreigners might be directed to coastal neighborhoods such as Kadıköy, Kartal and Maltepe on the Anatolian side of Istanbul and Altıntaş, Lara and Döşemealtı in Antalya, "There is no situation that prevents the current purchases made by foreigners for investment purposes. However, as of July 1, foreigners who want to purchase residence should carefully examine the list of closed areas in order not to experience any grievances," he said.

The Directorate of Migration Management announced that as of July 1, 2022, 1,169 neighborhoods in 62 different provinces, whose number of foreigners exceeds 25% of the total population, will be closed to new residences for foreign nationals. Accordingly, foreign nationals cannot obtain a residence permit even if they buy property in these closed neighborhoods. The relevant rate will be limited to 20% as of July 1st.

Evaluating the effects of the regulation on the real estate sector, Tekçe Overseas Chairman of the Board of Directors Bayram Tekçe reminded the article of the current Land Registry Law, which regulates the acquisition of the real estate by foreigners in Turkey, stating that the total area of ​​the real estate cannot exceed 10% of the area subject to private ownership in a district. Tekçe said, "With the new regulation for neighborhoods that exceed the limits of foreign residence due to irregular migration, it aims to protect this ancient border existing in the Land Registry Law. Thus, it will be possible to prevent the risk of ghettoization created by irregular migrants in some regions."

Residence permit requests will be directed to neighborhoods close to the coast

Tekçe said that Fatih is the neighborhood most closed to foreigners' residences in Istanbul. He said, “With the decision, 13 neighborhoods in Istanbul Fatih, 10 in Beyoğlu and 8 in Esenyurt were closed to new foreign residences. In Istanbul, there are also neighborhoods closed in Avcılar, Bahçelievler, Başakşehir, Beşiktaş, Beylikdüzü, Küçükçekmece, Sarıyer, Şile, Şişli, Tuzla, Ümraniye and Zeytinburnu. In Antalya, it took its place in the decision to close 4 neighborhoods in Alanya and 3 in Konyaaltı. In this context, Liman, Hurma and Sarısu in Antalya and Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargicak and Avsallar in Alanya are closed to new foreigners in Turkey.” 

Stating that the demand for real estate with a residence permit may spread to the neighborhoods close to the coast from now on, Tekçe said, “Foreigners who want to buy a house in Istanbul may prefer Kadıköy, Kartal and Maltepe on the Anatolian side. We expect that Altıntaş, Lara and Döşemealtı regions in Antalya and Payallar, Konaklı, Okurcalar and Oba in Alanya will be more sought after by foreigners.”

Foreigners with title deeds should not worry

Pointing out that foreigners who will invest in real estate should be appropriately informed about the closed neighborhoods and that certificates of eligibility for residence will no longer be issued in these neighborhoods, Bayram Tekçe said, “As soon as the announcement was made, we informed our professionals who guided foreigners at all stages from the purchase stage to obtaining their residence permits. Foreign investors who will acquire residency and citizenship through investment as of July 1 should carefully examine the list. Owners of title deeds already in the closed neighborhoods announced should not worry because they will be able to continue to receive residence permit renewals.”

Irregular migrant influence dominates Southeast

Reminding that approximately 4 million Syrian refugees are scattered all over the country, especially on the Syrian border, Bayram Tekçe said, “Most of the closed neighborhoods are located in Gaziantep, Kilis, Şanlıurfa and Hatay, which are the border provinces of Syria. In addition, there are 3.5 million immigrants who cross the borders and do not return to their countries. These irregular migrants are mainly from many countries such as Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia and generally live in Istanbul and Ankara. “These irregular migrants were able to obtain residence permits when they rented a house, but recently the residence permits issued by rentals have been stopped.”

Foreigners who buy a house for vacation will not be affected much

Stating that foreigners who buy a house for vacation will not be affected much by the regulation, Tekçe said, “Every foreigner can stay in Turkey for 180 days without a residence permit only with a tourist visa. Many holiday home buyers, such as Germans, Scandinavians, or Brits, do not live in Turkey more than 180 days a year. Since they do not need a residence permit, they can buy a house anywhere they want. Due to the cessation of foreign demand, prices may decrease slightly in these closed neighborhoods.”