If you Google "do they issue residence permits in Turkey?" you'll find dozens of conflicting articles. Some claim that obtaining a residence permit is practically impossible, while others claim the situation is gradually improving.

As a company that daily assists clients with their Turkish residence permit applications, we decided to explain what's happening in practice in the summer of 2026 , without any rumors or speculation.

What changed in 2026

The beginning of 2026 passed without significant changes. Restrictions remained in place in several districts of Alanya that had previously been closed to initial applications for tourist residence permits.

However, in the summer the situation changed noticeably.

According to information available to real estate market participants, joint efforts by the Alanya Association of Realtors and Developers and the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry have resulted in a softening of the immigration service's approach.

No official public document was published. However, in practice, migration service officials began accepting applications from areas previously considered off-limits.

Today we are seeing successful submissions in the following areas:

• Avsallar;
• Mahmutlar;
• Kestel;
• Kargicak.

The most important thing is that this is confirmed not by rumors, but by real statements from our clients.

We see real approvals for residence permits

Until mid-2026 the situation was quite difficult.

For example, citizens of Azerbaijan and Ukraine were more likely to receive tourist residence permits through rental agreements, while citizens of Russia and Kazakhstan were often refused visas.

Starting in June 2026, the practice changed.

Our clients successfully obtain residence permits, including in areas previously considered problematic.

One of the latest examples is our tenants from Russia.

They were initially approved for a 6-month tourist residence permit, and then successfully received an extension for another year .

Screenshot of our team's correspondence:

"Russian tenants received a one-year lease extension."

A case like this would have been much more difficult to come across just a few months ago.

What is important when applying for a tourist residence permit based on rental property?

Experience shows that a properly prepared package of documents is of great importance.

We recommend that you prepare in advance:

• notarized lease agreement;
• health insurance;
• address registration;
• tax number;
• bank account;
• confirmation of financial security.

We would like to point out one thing separately.

In our experience, the more convincingly the applicant proves the availability of funds in the bank account, the smoother the approval process . This isn't an official requirement in the form of a fixed amount, but financial solvency always plays a positive role.

How much does it cost to obtain a residence permit based on rent?

The cost depends on the applicant’s age, the duration of the residence permit, and the individual situation.

At the time of writing, the estimated costs for one adult citizen of the Russian Federation are:

• notarization of the agreement;
• health insurance;
• state duties;
• registration of address;
• SIM card;
• bank charges;
• document preparation services (if necessary).

Should you buy a $200,000 apartment?

No.

This is one of the most common myths.

To obtain a tourist residence permit , it is not necessary to purchase real estate worth 200,000 US dollars .

This amount falls under another category – a residence permit for real estate , which is issued upon the purchase of a property with a cadastral value of at least 200,000 US dollars.

Therefore, for most buyers who simply want to live in Turkey, there is no requirement to purchase an apartment for exactly $200,000.

What's the difference between a tourist residence permit and a real estate residence permit?

Many people believe that these are completely different statuses.

In reality, the differences are much smaller.

Both a tourist residence permit and a real estate residence permit allow:

• permanently reside in Turkey;
• enroll children in school;
• buy a car;
• open a company;
• enjoy all the usual opportunities of living in the country.

The main difference is the prospect of obtaining citizenship.

If you obtain a residence permit through real estate (subject to compliance with legal requirements) and permanently reside in Turkey, this status may later become the basis for obtaining Turkish citizenship by naturalization.

This is the main difference between the two types of residence permits.

Our conclusion

Based on the practice of recent months, it is safe to say that by the summer of 2026, the situation with obtaining a residence permit in Alanya has become significantly easier than it was at the beginning of the year.

We work with clients' documents daily and see real results, rather than relying solely on online publications.

If you're planning to purchase real estate, move, or obtain a residence permit in Turkey, we recommend assessing the situation based on current practices, as immigration policies can change quite quickly.

How has the Turkish residence permit situation changed?

• 2022 – restrictions introduced in a number of districts.
• 2023 – verification of applications has been strengthened.
• 2024–2025 — the number of refusals for certain categories of applicants increased.
• Summer 2026 – A easing of application review practices is observed in Alanya, including in the districts of Avsallar, Mahmutlar, Kestel and Kargicak.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Residence Permits in Turkey

Will they issue residence permits in Turkey in 2026?

Yes. As of summer 2026, tourist residence permits continue to be issued. Moreover, in Alanya, we are seeing positive application processing practices and successful extensions, including for Russian citizens.

Is it possible to obtain a residence permit under a lease agreement?

Yes. With a properly executed lease agreement and a complete set of documents, you can apply for a tourist residence permit.

Should you buy a $200,000 apartment?

No.

There is no such requirement for obtaining a tourist residence permit.

The purchase of real estate with a cadastral value of $200,000 or more falls under a different category: a residence permit based on real estate.

In which areas of Alanya are documents currently being accepted?

In our experience, applications were successfully accepted in the summer of 2026, including for areas previously closed to temporary residence permits:

• Avsallar;
• Mahmutlar;
• Kestel;
• Kargicak.

Practices may change, so we recommend checking the latest information before submitting documents.

Is it possible to extend a tourist residence permit?

Yes.

Our clients successfully obtain not only their initial tourist residence permits but also their renewals. One of our most recent cases involved a one-year rental residence permit extension for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Is it possible to live permanently with a tourist residence permit?

Yes.

A tourist residence permit allows you to legally reside in Turkey for the duration of its validity.

Is it possible to open a bank account?

Yes, however, bank requirements may vary. Some banks may request additional documents.

Is it possible to buy a car?

Yes. Foreign citizens with a valid residence permit can register a car in Turkey.

Is it possible to enroll children in school?

Yes. Children can attend public and private schools if they have a valid residence permit.

Does having money in the account help?

In our practical experience, yes.

Although the law does not establish a single mandatory amount for all applicants, having sufficient funds has a positive effect on the consideration of the application and confirms the financial solvency of the applicant.

Get a free consultation on temporary residence permits

If you're planning a move to Turkey or want to obtain a residence permit without unnecessary risks, Ataberk Estate specialists will help you find the best option for your situation.

We support clients at all stages:

• pre-submission consultation;
• selection of real estate (if necessary);
• preparation of a complete package of documents;
• registration of health insurance;
• accompaniment at the migration service;
• assistance in extending residence permit.

Submit a request , and we will assess your situation free of charge and tell you which residence permit option is best for you.

Why you can trust this information:

This article was prepared by specialists at New Level Group (Atabwrk Estate), a company with over 20 years of experience in Turkish real estate, assisting clients daily with property purchases, residence permit applications, and legal matters. This material is based on the actual experiences of our clients and is regularly updated to reflect changes in immigration laws and administrative practices.