How to Move to Antalya After Buying Property?

Why Antalya is one of the best places to move to

Antalya is not just a resort capital on the Turkish Mediterranean. Today it is a full-fledged city for living, attracting thousands of foreigners with its mild climate, developed infrastructure, and relatively affordable property prices. According to statistics, more than 30% of all real estate purchased by foreigners in Turkey is in Antalya province. Many buyers see an apartment or villa not only as an investment but as a ticket to a new life by the sea. However, after receiving the coveted TAPU (title deed), an equally important stage begins — relocation and legalizing your status.

Step 1: first steps after receiving the TAPU

The deal is done, the keys are in your hands — what next? Here is the mandatory checklist of priority actions:

• Register the purchase at the municipality. After the TAPU is issued, you must notify the local administration of the change of ownership — this is required for correct accrual of property tax.
• Transfer utility accounts (water, electricity, gas) into your name. To do this, you will need the TAPU, your passport, and a Turkish tax number (vergi kimlik numarası).
• Get a tax number — the Turkish tax identification number. You can obtain it at any tax office (Vergi Dairesi) or online at ivd.gib.gov.tr. Without a tax number, you cannot open a bank account, sign a contract with an internet provider, or pay taxes.
• Open a bank account at a Turkish bank. Most branches work with foreigners if you have a passport and tax number. Popular banks: Ziraat Bankası, İş Bankası, Garanti BBVA, DenizBank.
• Arrange medical insurance. A policy is mandatory when applying for a residence permit. You can buy private insurance or use the state SGK system (for residents).

Step 2: obtaining a residence permit (ikamet) based on property ownership

Ikamet is a Turkish residence permit, the main document that legalizes your long-term stay in the country. Without it, you can remain in Turkey for no more than 90 days within a half-year under the visa-free regime. After buying property, you are entitled to apply for a short-term residence permit based on property ownership.

Conditions for obtaining a residence permit through real estate

According to changes that came into force on October 16, 2023, a minimum property value of $200,000 (based on the official cadastral valuation) has been set for obtaining a residence permit through property ownership. It is also crucial that the purchased object is located in a district open for registration of foreigners. A TAPU-based residence permit is issued for a period of 2 years and can be extended multiple times.

Required documents

1. Passport (valid for the entire period of the requested residence permit plus 60 days).
2. TAPU — certificate of ownership.
3. Report on the cadastral value of the property (expert appraisal).
4. Valid medical insurance policy.
5. 4 biometric photographs.
6. Receipt for payment of state duty and card fee.
7. Proof of residential address (e.g., registered rental agreement or your own TAPU).

Application procedure

The application is submitted online on the official portal e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr. After filling in the form, the system will assign a rendezvous (appointment) date at the Immigration Office (İl Göç İdaresi). You must attend the appointment in person with all original documents. If the application is successful, the residence permit card will arrive by post to your Turkish address within 1–3 months. While waiting, you will be issued a temporary document confirming the legality of your stay.

Step 3: choosing the right district — open and closed zones

Since July 1, 2022, Turkish authorities have introduced quotas limiting the share of foreigners with residence permits in each neighborhood (mahalle) — no more than 20% of the local population. Districts where this limit is exceeded receive a "closed" status — it is impossible to submit an initial residence permit application there. At the same time, foreigners who already hold a residence permit in such zones retain the right to renewal.

The current map of open/closed districts for Antalya looks like this:

• Open districts: central quarters of Antalya, Konyaaltı, Lara, Hurma, most of Kemer, Beldibi, Göynük, as well as many settlements east of the airport.
• Closed districts (mainly in Alanya): Mahmutlar, Kargıcak, Kestel, Avsallar.

Before purchasing, be sure to check the status of the specific neighborhood with your realtor or lawyer — this will save you from an unpleasant surprise at the residence permit application stage.

Daily life after relocation: what else you need to know

Once housing is bought and the residence permit obtained, the stage of setting up everyday life begins. Here is what to keep in mind:

• Transport. Antalya has a well-developed network of buses, trams, and dolmuş (shared minibuses). You will need an Antalyakart for fare payment. If you plan to drive, Russian driving licenses are valid in Turkey for up to 6 months, after which they must be exchanged for Turkish ones or a local license must be obtained.
• Communication and internet. A SIM card from a Turkish operator (Turkcell, Vodafone, Türk Telekom) can be obtained with your passport and tax number. Note: a phone not registered in the Turkish IMEI system will be blocked after 120 days. Registration is paid — around 20,000 lira (as of 2025).
• Language. In tourist areas of Antalya, many people speak English and even Russian, but basic Turkish is essential for full integration. Language courses are available at Public Education Centers (Halk Eğitim Merkezi) and cost a symbolic amount.
• Property tax (emlak vergisi) is 0.1% of the cadastral value for residential properties and 0.2% for commercial ones. It is paid twice a year: in May and November.

The path to permanent residency and Turkish citizenship

A TAPU-based residence permit is not the ultimate goal but an intermediate stage. Many are interested in whether they can obtain permanent residency and a Turkish passport:

• Long-term residence permit (equivalent to permanent residency) — available after 8 years of uninterrupted residence in Turkey on the basis of a short-term residence permit. This status does not require renewal and grants practically the same rights as citizenship, except for voting.
• Turkish citizenship by investment — a faster route. By purchasing real estate worth from $400,000 and committing not to sell it for 3 years, you may apply for a Turkish passport within 6 to 12 months. This program is still active and remains one of the most popular among Russians.
• Naturalization after 5 years — the standard path for those who have continuously lived in Turkey with a residence permit for 5 years and have no legal issues.

Summing up

Moving to Antalya after buying property is a step-by-step but entirely achievable process. The key steps follow a clear logic: TAPU → tax number and bank account → medical insurance → residence permit application via e-ikamet → obtaining ikamet. The main things are to carefully choose a district open for registration and ensure that the cadastral value of the property meets the minimum threshold.

Antalya offers a unique combination: a mild Mediterranean climate, a modern urban environment, and a real opportunity to obtain resident status, and eventually citizenship of Turkey. With the right approach and reliable consultants, the journey from buying an apartment to a full-fledged life by the sea takes just a few months.