Turkey has started reopening some previously restricted districts to foreign residency applications in a move that could revive property demand in some of the country’s most popular resort destinations.
The changes primarily affect areas where foreign residents previously faced restrictions when applying for residence permits, despite still being allowed to purchase property.
Popular Resort Areas Returning To The Market
Following prolonged pressure from businesses and developers, Turkish migration authorities have reportedly eased restrictions in several high-demand districts, particularly around Alanya and the wider Antalya region.
Areas now being discussed again as potentially accessible for residency applications include popular resort districts such as Mahmutlar and Avsallar.
For years, these locations attracted large numbers of international buyers seeking both holiday homes and long-term relocation opportunities.
Why Closed Districts Hurt Foreign Demand
Turkey introduced restrictions after foreign populations in certain districts exceeded established thresholds.
Between 2022 and 2025, many districts across Antalya, Alanya, Mersin and Istanbul became effectively closed to first-time residence permit applications linked to property purchases or rentals.
Although foreigners could still legally buy homes in these areas, obtaining residency using addresses within restricted districts became impossible.
This created significant uncertainty for overseas buyers and reduced demand across several resort markets.
Alanya Could See The Biggest Impact
Few destinations may feel the change more strongly than Alanya.
Districts including Mahmutlar, Kestel, Avsallar and Kargicak became particularly popular among buyers from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Iran, Germany and Middle Eastern countries during recent years.
Following residency restrictions, some buyers shifted to alternative locations while others postponed purchases altogether.
Reopening these districts could support both new-build developments and secondary property markets where foreign ownership remains significant.
Property Buyers Are Becoming More Cautious
Despite potentially positive market sentiment, analysts expect demand recovery to be more measured than during the relocation-driven surge that followed 2022.
Buyers are increasingly paying attention to legal certainty, ongoing ownership costs, exchange-rate volatility and future residency rules before committing to purchases.
Foreign Property Sales Continue Slowing
Recent market data suggests international demand remains under pressure.
According to Turkish statistical data, foreign buyers purchased 1,516 residential properties during April 2026, representing a 1.1% decline compared with the previous year.
During the first four months of 2026, foreigners purchased 5,681 residential properties overall, down 11.6% year-on-year.
The reopening of previously restricted districts could therefore become an important test of whether residency access still remains one of the strongest drivers behind foreign property demand in Turkey.
