Short-term rentals in Turkey 2025: how to earn legally and invest profitably

Why the law was changed

The short-term rental market in Turkey had been growing rapidly but without clear regulation. Many property owners rented out apartments illegally, evaded taxes, and disturbed neighbors in multi-unit buildings due to constant tourist turnover. This led to conflicts and lost revenue for the government.

Law No. 7464 was introduced to:

• bring order to the rental market,

• raise service quality and safety,

• protect the rights of both neighbors and tourists,

• create a transparent taxation system.

Thanks to this law, short-term rentals are now recognized as an official and protected business activity, and properties operating legally have become more valuable in the market.

Rental permit: the key to legality

The most important innovation of the law is the requirement to obtain a short-term rental permit (Turizm Amaçlı Kiralama İzin Belgesi).
Without this document, it is illegal to post listings or host guests.

The permit is processed through the official government portal e-Devlet, and once approved, a special plaque must be placed on the apartment door as visible proof of legal status.

Different rules for different buildings

• Standard apartment buildings:
  To receive a rental permit, you must obtain written consent from 100% of the property owners in the building. Even a single neighbor’s objection can block the process.

• Residential complexes with infrastructure (residence status):
  These buildings have a more flexible rule — collecting 80% of owners’ signatures is enough to amend the building’s management charter to allow short-term rentals. This makes the process far more realistic for modern complexes with amenities such as pools, gyms, and security.

Penalties and enforcement

Operating without a permit is now strictly punished:

• First offense: fines starting at 100,000 TRY per unit,

• Repeated offenses: fines up to 500,000 – 1,000,000 TRY.

Major rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking are also required to verify permit numbers, meaning unauthorized listings are easily identified and blocked.

How to get a permit: step-by-step

1. Prepare property documents — title deed, technical plan, building occupancy certificate.

2. Collect owner approvals — 100% for standard buildings or 80% for residences with infrastructure.

3. Submit an application via e-Devlet — either personally or through a legal representative with a notarized power of attorney.

4. Receive and install the official plaque on the property entrance.

5. Connect to the guest registration system — every guest must be registered in the government database.

Taxes and mandatory fees

The new rules brought full transparency, meaning all income must now be declared:

• Value Added Tax (KDV): 20% applied to rental services.

• Income tax: progressive rates from 15% to 40%, depending on total annual earnings.

• Tourism tax (Konaklama Vergisi): a special fee included in the nightly rate and remitted to the government.

If an owner does not want to handle tax reporting personally, they can authorize a management company to do it on their behalf.

Why professional property management matters

Managing a short-term rental alone is now complex: bureaucracy, guest relations, cleaning logistics, and price optimization require professional expertise.

A reliable management company will:

• create and manage listings on Airbnb, Booking, and other platforms,

• handle cleaning, check-ins, and guest support,

• register guests with the police system,

• optimize nightly rates to maximize occupancy,

• prepare transparent reports and pay taxes on time.

Maxhome specializes in comprehensive property management, providing a full cycle of services so that property owners can enjoy steady income without stress.

Boosting profitability

Even with new taxes, Turkey remains one of the most profitable countries for short-term rentals. To maximize returns:

• Apply dynamic pricing: raise rates during peak season (June–September) and lower them slightly during low season.

• Use professional photography and multilingual descriptions (English, Turkish, Russian).

• Provide hotel-level service: spotless cleaning, high-speed Wi-Fi, smooth self-check-in options.

• Work with multiple booking channels to maintain high occupancy.

Turkey vs. Europe: where it's more profitable

When comparing Turkey with other popular destinations such as Spain, Greece, Italy, or Dubai, Turkey has clear advantages:

• Lower entry cost:
  A seaside apartment in Antalya costs roughly half the price of a similar unit in Spain or Greece.

• High tourist volume:
  Turkey consistently ranks among the top five countries worldwide for international tourist arrivals.

• Year-round demand:
  Summer beach tourism is complemented by winter ski resorts and medical tourism.

• Property appreciation:
  The new regulations increase the value of legally licensed properties, boosting resale potential.

• Simpler legalization process:
  While stricter than before, Turkey’s permit process is still simpler and cheaper than licensing systems in the EU.

As a result, with proper management, net returns of 5–7% annually in euros are achievable — higher than average returns in most European markets.

Analytical conclusion

The new law is not a barrier but an opportunity.
While it imposes stricter rules, it also brings stability, safety, and long-term growth potential to the market.

Turkey is now one of the most attractive countries for rental investments because:

• clear rules build trust between owners, guests, and the government,

• tourism continues to grow with strong government support,

• legalized properties enjoy higher income and market value.

For investors, success depends on two things: choosing the right property and partnering with a competent management company.
Maxhome helps investors at every stage:

• obtaining the permit,

• setting up tax compliance,

• creating high-quality service and marketing strategies,

• maximizing revenue through professional property management.

With Maxhome, your property becomes a stable, fully compliant income source, and a powerful asset for growing your capital.

Final thoughts

Short-term rentals in Turkey in 2025 have become a structured and regulated business.
When managed correctly, they can generate higher returns than in most European countries, while the legal value of your property grows along with the booming tourism industry.

Turkey is a land of opportunity for investors, and with Maxhome by your side, you can navigate the new rules confidently and turn your real estate into a reliable and profitable investment.