In June 2026, the restrictions on residence permits (ikamet izni) in specific neighborhoods were lifted; Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, and Avsallar in Alanya are once again open for initial residence permit applications. "Closed neighborhoods" refer to specific mahalle areas where, since 2022, foreigners were unable to obtain new residence permits because the percentage of foreign residents had exceeded a set threshold. No separate official announcement was published by the Göç İdaresi (Directorate of Migration Management) on goc.gov.tr, and the pages containing the outdated 2022 list remain online. Therefore, always check your specific address in the e-İkamet system before submitting your application.
What are closed neighborhoods (kapalı mahalleler)
In Turkey, the term "district" in everyday speech often refers to an ilçe (an administrative district, such as Alanya). However, the restriction was implemented at the mahalle (neighborhood) level. This is why, between 2022 and 2026, you could find both restricted and open neighborhoods within the same administrative district of Alanya.
According to the official announcement by the Göç İdaresi, the following were suspended in closed neighborhoods:
- Issuance of new residence permits (ikamet izni) for new addresses;
- Registration of persons under temporary or international protection;
- Changes of province of residence for foreigners holding an ikamet or protection status.
Exceptions explicitly mentioned in the announcement included newborns and the reunification of the "nuclear" family (spouses and children). Buying property and obtaining a Tapu (title deed) were not included in this list: the "closed" status restricted residency registration, not the property transaction itself.
Origin of the 25% and 20% rule
The measure was referred to as "thinning out" (seyreltme): authorities aimed to prevent the concentration of foreign residents in specific neighborhoods. Initially, the threshold was 25% of the local population, which was later lowered to 20%.
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 16.05.2022 | Announcement of the closure of 781 neighborhoods (25% threshold) | goc.gov.tr |
| 11.06.2022 | Minister of Interior announced: as of July 1, the threshold drops from 25% to 20%; at that time 781 neighborhoods were closed, after the reduction — approximately 1200 | icisleri.gov.tr |
| 30.06.2022 | Göç İdaresi: as of July 1, 2022, 1169 neighborhoods are closed; list attached | goc.gov.tr |
| 31.08.2022 | Last revision of the list file on goc.gov.tr (1162 rows) | goc.gov.tr |
| 08.10.2022 | In Istanbul, 10 entire districts (ilçe) were closed for new residency, including Fatih and Esenyurt | icisleri.gov.tr |
| 16.07.2023 | Press release by Göç İdaresi: 1169 neighborhoods in 63 provinces; in Istanbul — 54 neighborhoods and 10 districts | goc.gov.tr |
The same 2023 press release stated that the analysis of foreign population density is conducted periodically. In other words, the list was intended to be dynamic rather than a one-time decision.
Official list: what is currently published
The website goc.gov.tr still displays the announcement from 30.06.2022 with a link to the "Kapalı Mahalleler" Excel file. According to the metadata, the file was last modified on 31.08.2022 and contains 1162 rows (despite the announcement mentioning 1169 neighborhoods) across 63 provinces. The highest number of closed areas is in Şanlıurfa (170), Gaziantep (162), Hatay (109), Kilis (83), and Adana (75), with 54 in Istanbul.
We have found no newer national version of the list on the Göç İdaresi website. This does not mean the list hasn't changed; the agency noted in 2023 that they re-evaluate the data based on density analyses. However, no updated version has been made public.
Status in 2026: restrictions lifted
In June 2026, the restrictions on obtaining residence permits in closed neighborhoods were lifted. This is evident in daily practice: in Alanya, applications for initial ikamet at addresses in Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, and Avsallar are being accepted again. Legal and consulting services have confirmed that since summer 2026, the e-İkamet system accepts applications for addresses that were previously restricted.
An important caveat: the decision has not been issued as a separate public document. As of 26.10.2026:
- goc.gov.tr — there is no separate announcement of the cancellation in the "Haberler" (News), "Duyurular" (Announcements), or "Basın Açıklamaları" (Press Releases) sections, and the page with the 2022 announcement remains active;
- antalya.goc.gov.tr — the website still displays the 01.07.2022 page with the list of closed neighborhoods for the province;
- Resmî Gazete — the closures were introduced via administrative decision rather than a formal decree, and no publication regarding the cancellation has been issued.
Outdated pages are a frequent source of confusion: they are still being cited as current. Base your decisions on whether the address is accepted by the e-İkamet system at the moment of submission. In the 2023 press release, Göç İdaresi mentioned that it regularly reviews population density, so theoretically, if foreign population percentages rise again, certain neighborhoods could be closed in the future.
Who was affected by the restrictions in 2022–2026
Although restrictions are lifted, understanding how they worked helps clarify past rejections and allows you to assess risks in the event of future closures.
| Situation | How the restriction worked | Status of confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Initial short-term ("tourist") residence permit at an address in a closed neighborhood | New ikamet at such addresses was not issued | Official Göç İdaresi announcement |
| Moving from another province to a closed neighborhood | Changing the province of residence was blocked | Official Göç İdaresi announcement |
| Family residence permit (spouse, children) | Nuclear family reunification was an exception | Official Göç İdaresi announcement |
| Student at a university in the area; foreigner with a work permit | Exception | Statement by the Minister of Interior on 08.10.2022 |
| Property owner in that neighborhood | Exception ("if you bought a house") | Statement by the Minister on 08.10.2022; decided locally by provincial office |
| Extension of current ikamet without address change | In practice, usually not blocked | Private sources only |
| Citizenship by investment | Not affected: this is not an ikamet procedure | Inferred from operations list in the announcement |
General rules for obtaining a residence permit, including legal grounds and required documentation, are covered in our article "Residence Permit in Turkey".
Alanya and Antalya Province: past closures and current status
The list published by the Antalya İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü on 01.07.2022, which matches the national file from 31.08.2022, includes 10 neighborhoods in Antalya province:
| District (ilçe) | Neighborhood (mahalle) |
|---|---|
| Alanya | Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, Avsallar |
| Konyaaltı | Liman, Hurma, Sarısu |
| Muratpaşa | Topçular |
| Döşemealtı | AOSB 2. Kısım, AOSB 3. Kısım |
The center of Alanya, Oba, Cikcilli, Tosmur, Konaklı, Payallar, as well as Gazipaşa and Manavgat, were not included in this list. Since June 2026, Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, and Avsallar are open for initial residence permits once again: applications for addresses in these areas are being processed. For buyers, this is the most significant change of the year, as Mahmutlar and Kestel are among the most popular areas for international investors in Alanya.
How to check an address before buying or renting
- Find the exact name of your neighborhood (mahalle). This is stated in your Tapu (title deed) or rental agreement. The name of the residential complex or the informal district name from an advertisement is not sufficient.
- Do not rely on outdated lists. The files on goc.gov.tr and provincial directorate websites are dated 2022 and only indicate whether a neighborhood was closed in the past.
- Check current practices. Call or visit the İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü (for Alanya, contact the Antalya Provincial Directorate) and ask if applications are being accepted for your specific address. You can also contact the Göç İdaresi helpline via YİMER 157.
- Start filling out your application in e-İkamet (e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr) before signing a rental contract, as the address must be entered into the system. Based on applicants' experience, the system or an officer at the appointment will flag a closed address before fees are paid, though this is not an official system feature. If the address is accepted and you receive an appointment date, the restriction does not apply to that location.
- Include protective clauses in your agreement. For rentals, consider including a right to terminate the contract if a residence permit (ikamet izni) cannot be obtained at that address. When purchasing property, the risk rests with the buyer if such conditions are not negotiated beforehand.
Keep in mind the requirements for address registration (adres kaydı). If you move within the same province, you must notify the provincial migration office within 20 working days. If you move to a different province, you must apply for a new ikamet within the same timeframe—this is exactly where the restriction on moving into a closed neighborhood applies.
What to do if your address is not accepted
While this is rare following the lifting of restrictions, if the e-İkamet system or an immigration officer rejects your address, consider the following options:
- If you are a property owner: Apply for a residence permit based on property ownership (ikamet by investment). Property owners were among the categories exempted by the authorities, provided the property is residential and used as a primary home—a standard requirement by Göç İdaresi for property-based permits.
- If you already hold an ikamet at this address: Apply for an extension well in advance: no earlier than 60 days before expiration and definitely before your current permit expires. Avoid changing your address unless strictly necessary.
- If you are a tenant without an ikamet: You may apply using a different address; another neighborhood within the same district is often just a few minutes away.
- If you have already been refused: You can reapply for the same purpose of stay only after 6 months. However, while your legal stay period is valid, you may apply under a different category. Learn more in our article "Denial of a residence permit in Turkey".
- Do not register at a "fake" address. Providing a false address in an open neighborhood while actually living elsewhere is a violation that is often uncovered during address verification checks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have the restrictions on closed neighborhoods been lifted in 2026?
Yes, as of June 2026: applications for initial residence permits in formerly closed neighborhoods are being accepted again. There is no individual announcement on goc.gov.tr, so please verify your specific address in the e-İkamet system before applying.
Which Alanya neighborhoods were closed, and are they open now?
Under the official 2022 list, Mahmutlar, Kestel, Kargıcak, and Avsallar were closed. As of June 2026, all four are open for initial residence permit applications.
Was it possible to purchase an apartment in a closed neighborhood?
Yes. The restriction applies to residence permits and address registration, not to the property transaction itself. However, if your primary goal for buying is obtaining a residence permit, verify current practices with the local provincial migration directorate first.
Did the ban affect residence permit renewals?
The restrictions did not officially target renewals. In practice, renewals without changing the address were generally not blocked, but there is no explicit confirmation regarding this on the official Göç İdaresi website.
Did closed neighborhoods affect citizenship by investment?
No. Citizenship is processed under a separate legal procedure and is not dependent on an ikamet.
Sources
- Göç İdaresi: Mahalle Kapatma Duyurusu, 30.06.2022 (1,169 neighborhoods as of 01.07.2022)
- Göç İdaresi: List of closed neighborhoods (file dated 31.08.2022)
- Göç İdaresi: Mahalle Kapatma Duyurusu, 16.05.2022 (781 neighborhoods)
- Turkish Ministry of Interior, 11.06.2022: Threshold reduced from 25% to 20%
- Turkish Ministry of Interior, 08.10.2022: Istanbul districts and exemptions
- Göç İdaresi: Press release dated 16.07.2023
- Antalya İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü: Announcement dated 01.07.2022
- Antalya İl Göç İdaresi Müdürlüğü: List of closed neighborhoods in the province
- Göç İdaresi: Frequently asked questions regarding ikamet (address, renewal, refusal, property)
- Göç İdaresi: Announcements section (verified 26.10.2026)