Foreigners' housing preferences have changed: Which cities are on the rise?
While there has been a decline in housing purchases by foreigners in Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin in Turkey, increases have been observed in Ankara, Izmir, and Sakarya.
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According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), there have been significant changes in housing purchases by foreigners in Turkey in the first four months of 2025. While housing purchases by foreigners decreased in Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin, increases were recorded in Ankara, Izmir, and Sakarya.
In the January-April period, a total of 454 thousand 145 housing units were sold across Turkey. This figure indicates a 27.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year. However, a general decline was observed in housing sales to foreigners.
The number of housing units sold to foreigners in Istanbul decreased by 5.9 percent compared to the same period last year, falling to 2 thousand 314. In Antalya, this decline was more pronounced, with 1 thousand 965 housing units sold, representing a 20.7 percent decrease. In Mersin, housing sales to foreigners also fell by 29.8 percent to 465.
On the other hand, housing purchases by foreigners in Ankara increased by 12.9 percent, reaching 192. A similar increase occurred in Izmir, where the number of housing units sold to foreigners rose by 16 percent to 123. In Sakarya, this number increased by 20.7 percent to 99.
These data show that foreigners have changed their city preferences for housing purchases in Turkey.