Türkiye is a country that attracts with its unique natural beauty, rich culture and comfortable climate. It is becoming increasingly popular not only among tourists, but also among those who are seriously thinking about moving. One of the key issues that concern future residents is the safety of housing, especially given the seismic activity of the region. Turkish houses are built to strict modern standards, making them reliable and safe to live in. In this text, we will talk about the measures taken to ensure the safety of housing in Turkey, as well as how to obtain a residence permit for those who decide to make this sunny corner their permanent home.
Home safety and resistance to seismic activity
One of the main questions that potential real estate buyers have is the safety of their home. Türkiye is located in a seismically active zone, but over the past decades the country has taken a number of measures aimed at protecting homes and ensuring the safety of citizens. In particular, such measures include the following.
1. Modern building standards
In recent years, Türkiye has significantly improved its construction standards, especially with regard to earthquake resistance. After the 1999 earthquake, the country reconsidered building codes, and introduced more stringent design requirements in 2007. Today, all new buildings are built taking into account seismic risks, which significantly increases their resistance to earthquakes.
Key points:
- post-2007 building codes require buildings to be designed to withstand seismic loads;
- new buildings must comply with modern seismic resistance standards;
- buildings undergo mandatory inspections at every stage of construction to ensure compliance with safety standards.
2. Compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK)
Türkiye has introduced compulsory earthquake insurance for all property owners. This insurance is called DASK (Doğal Afet Sigortaları Kurumu) and covers losses associated with property destruction due to earthquakes. Having this policy ensures that in the event of a disaster, homeowners can receive compensation and rebuild their property.
Main aspects of DASK insurance:
- DASK – compulsory insurance that covers damage caused by earthquakes;
- additional insurance may include coverage for a wider range of risks, such as floods or fires;
- DASK policy is required when purchasing real estate and is renewed annually.
3. Safe areas and renovation of old buildings
Not all regions of Turkey are equally susceptible to seismic activity. Many resort towns, such as Bodrum and Antalya, are located in areas with a low probability of earthquakes, making them attractive to investors and property buyers. In addition, the Turkish government is actively involved in modernizing old buildings, especially in large cities such as Istanbul. As part of the renovation programme, old buildings are being strengthened and brought up to new safety standards.
Highlights:
- resort regions are less prone to earthquakes;
- in large cities, old buildings are being renovated to bring them into line with modern standards;
- renovation includes strengthening structures and modernizing infrastructure.
Türkiye is taking many steps to ensure the safety of residential buildings, especially in seismic conditions. Thanks to modern building regulations, compulsory DASK insurance and an active renovation program for old buildings, buying property in this country becomes a safe and sound decision. By choosing a region with low seismic activity and new housing built to modern standards, you can be confident in the safety of your home.
How to get a residence permit in Turkey
Obtaining a residence permit (Residence permit) in Turkey has become one of the most popular ways for foreigners to stay in this country for a long time. Their desire to stay longer in Turkey is due to the mild climate, affordable cost of living and many opportunities to purchase real estate or rental housing. In recent years, despite changes in legislation, the procedure for obtaining a tourist residence permit is again relevant, which makes it attractive both for investors and for people planning long-term residence. To obtain a residence permit, you need to choose a suitable scheme and familiarize yourself with the nuances.
1. Tourist residence permit in Turkey
A tourist residence permit is a temporary residence permit that is issued to both real estate buyers and housing tenants. This type of residence permit does not provide additional rights, but allows you to legally stay in the country for up to six months. It became especially popular in 2022 due to the significant simplification of the receipt procedure.
Features of a tourist residence permit:
- is issued for 6 months and does not require the purchase of expensive real estate;
- you can get a residence permit even when renting housing, which makes it accessible to almost any foreigner;
- Recently, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit has been complicated due to the large number of applications, but now a tourist residence permit is again available;
- This residence permit does not give the right to obtain Turkish citizenship in the future.
2. Residence permit through the purchase of real estate (TAPU)
Purchasing real estate in Turkey provides an additional opportunity to obtain a residence permit. This type of residence permit is issued on the basis of a TAPU (certificate of ownership) and can be the first step towards obtaining Turkish citizenship after 5 years of residence in the country.
Features of residence permit through Tapu:
- to obtain a residence permit through the purchase of real estate, you need to purchase an object worth $200,000 or more;
- in some regions (for example, Ankara, Mersin) residence permits are issued even at a lower cost of real estate;
- unlike a tourist residence permit, this type allows you to apply for citizenship after 5 years, subject to permanent residence in the country (no more than 6 months of absence for the entire period);
- Obtaining citizenship requires passing a Turkish language exam and having permanent residence in the country.
💡 Regardless of the type of residence permit, it is worth considering the restrictions associated with the choice of area of residence. In Turkey, there are so-called closed areas in which foreigners are not issued residence permits. This is due to overpopulation in some regions and a large concentration of migrants. Over 1,000 areas, including popular tourist areas, remain closed to obtaining a residence permit, so before buying or renting a property, you should make sure that the area is accessible for obtaining a residence permit.