Short-Term Rental Permits in Turkey: What You Need to Know

Renting out a flat on Airbnb or a similar platform in Turkey is no longer a matter of simply listing the property and collecting payments. Since 1 January 2024, a permit issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism is mandatory for any short-term residential rental of 100 days or fewer per calendar year. Operating without this permit exposes owners to significant fines and, in some cases, criminal liability.

The Legal Framework: Law No. 7464

Law No. 7464, enacted on 2 November 2023 and in force from 1 January 2024, introduced a comprehensive licensing regime for short-term tourist rentals (kısa dönemli turistik kiralama). The law defines a short-term rental as any residential letting for 100 days or fewer in a given year.

The permit (izin belgesi) is issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, not the municipality. This distinction matters: a municipal business licence does not substitute for the Ministry permit, and having one does not exempt you from obtaining the other.

The Danıştay (Council of State) upheld the constitutionality of the permit requirement and confirmed the administrative framework in its 2025 rulings.

Who Must Obtain a Permit?

Any individual or entity renting a residential property for short-term tourist accommodation needs the Ministry permit if the total rental period in a given calendar year is 100 days or fewer. If you rent the same property for more than 100 days in a year, a different framework (standard tenancy law) applies.

The permit must be displayed at the entrance to the property. The permit number must also be stated in any advertisement, including listings on online platforms.

Apartment Block Consent Requirement

This is the rule most overlooked by property owners: if the property is located in an apartment block (kat mülkiyetine tabi bina), written consent from the body of flat owners (kat malikleri kurulu) is required before a permit can be issued. The consent must be in the form of a resolution passed by a majority of the flat owners.

This requirement has blocked many permit applications in practice. Building management committees in established residential blocks frequently refuse consent, particularly in popular tourist areas, where existing residents have objected to the constant turnover of short-stay visitors. Without consent, the permit cannot be obtained and the rental cannot proceed lawfully.

Penalties for Operating Without a Permit

The Law No. 7464 regime includes substantial administrative penalties:

• Renting without a permit: fines in the range of tens of thousands of Turkish Lira per violation, escalating for repeat offences
• Advertising without a permit number: separate fines for each advertisement
• Failure to display the permit at the property: additional fines

Online platforms are also required to check permit numbers and are prohibited from listing properties that lack a valid permit. Platforms that knowingly list unlicensed properties face their own penalties.

Beyond fines, owners who operate repeatedly without a permit risk having the property flagged in the land registry and losing the ability to apply for a permit for a defined period.

Practical Steps for Property Owners

If you own a residential property in Turkey and want to rent it short-term:

1. Check building consent: if in an apartment block, review the building management records and, if necessary, call a meeting to obtain a formal consent resolution.
2. Gather the required documents: title deed, identity document, building consent (if applicable), and relevant tax registration.
3. Apply through the Ministry: the application is made through the official e-government portal (e-devlet).
4. Display the permit at the property entrance and include the permit number in all listings.
5. Monitor rental days: keep records showing that total rental days in the year do not exceed 100, or reclassify the arrangement if they do.

How Mona Hukuk Can Help

The permit process, building consent requirements, and platform compliance involve both administrative and property law. Our team in Antalya assists property owners with permit applications, building consent procedures, and compliance with Law No. 7464, as well as advising on the boundary between short-term tourist rental and standard tenancy law.

Contact us at contact@monahukuk.com or call +90 (242) 606 14 32 to book a consultation in Antalya.