Home Sales to Foreigners in Turkey: September 2026 Report
Home sales to foreigners in Turkey, September 2026: 2,167 units, up 9.9% a year, Istanbul and Antalya's share, Iran's rank and what it means for buyers.
According to the latest statistics on home sales to foreigners in Turkey, published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on October 16, 2026 (24 Mehr 1405), a total of 2,167 homes were sold to foreign nationals in September 2026. This figure is 9.9 percent higher than in September last year and makes up about 1.5 percent of all housing sales in the country. However, the nine-month total for 2026 is still 4.3 percent lower than the previous year. In this report we review the main figures, the shares of Istanbul and Antalya, the position of Iranian buyers and what these numbers mean for anyone planning to buy.
September 2026 Statistics at a Glance
TÜİK's statistics are based on title deeds transferred to the buyer's name at the Turkish land registry (Tapu ve Kadastro). That means every number in this report is an actual title deed transfer, not a contract or an off-plan sale. The table below shows the main figures for September and the January to September total.
| Indicator | September 2026 | Change vs. September 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total housing sales in Turkey | 142,390 units | 9.3% decrease |
| New-build (first-hand) sales | 51,519 units | 3.9% increase |
| Second-hand sales | 90,871 units | 15.3% decrease |
| Sales with a mortgage | 23,397 units | 5.1% increase |
| Sales to foreign nationals | 2,167 units | 9.9% increase |
| Sales to foreigners, January to September | 15,308 units | 4.3% decrease |
Source: TÜİK, Housing and Workplace Sales Statistics bulletin, September 2026 (published October 16, 2026).
Two things stand out in this table. First, the overall Turkish market is smaller than last year, yet foreigners' purchases grew in the same month. Second, new-build sales and mortgage sales grew, while second-hand homes saw the sharpest drop.
Did Foreigners Buy More or Less in September?
On an annual comparison, more. 2,167 units in September 2026 means 9.9 percent growth over September 2025. There is growth month on month too: in August 2026, sales to foreigners were 1,938 units, so September is about 11.8 percent higher than the previous month.
But the picture for the year as a whole is still negative. From January to September 2026, foreigners bought a total of 15,308 units, which is 4.3 percent lower than the same period in 2025. That gap is narrowing, though: the eight-month total to the end of August was 6.3 percent lower than the previous year, and with the September figure it reached 4.3 percent.
Analysts at the brokerage İş Yatırım wrote in their October 16 report that the monthly improvement and the growth in mortgage and new-build sales are encouraging, but with a cumulative 7.2 percent decline in the overall market, it is still too early to talk about a broad recovery in demand.
In Which Cities Did Foreigners Buy Homes?
As always, Istanbul and Antalya hold a large part of the foreign-buyer market. According to TÜİK data published by the trade outlet Homesoverseas on October 19, 2026, the ranking of provinces in September was as follows:
| Rank | Province | Homes sold to foreigners in September 2026 | Share of all sales to foreigners |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Istanbul | 817 | about 37.7% |
| 2 | Antalya (including Alanya) | 664 | about 30.6% |
| 3 | Mersin | 155 | about 7.2% |
| 4 | Ankara | 106 | about 4.9% |
Source: TÜİK, September 2026, as cited by Homesoverseas. The share column is ALO TURKEY's calculation from these figures.
That means that of every 10 homes sold to foreigners in September, nearly 7 were in Istanbul or Antalya. For comparison, 22,212 homes were sold in Istanbul's overall market in the same month (according to Yeni Asır newspaper, from TÜİK data). So foreigners accounted for about 3.7 percent of Istanbul's housing transactions, which is more than double the national average.
If you are considering Istanbul, you should first know that in some neighborhoods new residence registration is closed to foreigners. We have included the updated list in our article on the best areas of Istanbul for getting a residence permit.
How Many Homes Did Iranians Buy in September 2026?
According to Shafaq News, citing TÜİK data, Iranian citizens bought 159 homes in Turkey in September 2026 and were the fourth-largest group of foreign buyers by number. The full ranking of nationalities for the month:
| Rank | Nationality | Homes bought in September 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 388 |
| 2 | Iraq | 166 |
| 3 | Germany | 162 |
| 4 | Iran | 159 |
| 5 | Ukraine | 158 |
| 6 | China | 124 |
Source: TÜİK, September 2026, as cited by Shafaq News (October 17, 2026).
In August, Iranians were third with 140 homes (after Russia with 343 and Ukraine with 147). So Iranian purchases in September were about 14 percent higher than the previous month, but because Iraqis and Germans grew more, Iran's rank slipped by one place. The gap from second to fifth place is only eight homes, which means these ranks easily shift from month to month and you should not draw too many conclusions from them.
For the summer trend and the totals of earlier months, read our previous report: Latest Statistics on Iranians' Property Purchases in Turkey (Autumn 2026).
Why Did the Overall Market Shrink While Foreigners' Purchases Rose?
TÜİK offers no explanation for the changes, and we do not make a definitive claim either. But several verifiable facts sit side by side:
- The domestic market is still under pressure from interest rates. The Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB) policy rate was held at 37 percent at its September meeting. At that rate, buying with a mortgage is heavy for many Turkish families, and second-hand sales, which depend more on domestic buyers, fell 15.3 percent.
- Foreigners' purchases are less tied to domestic loan rates, because many of them buy with their own money and foreign currency, not with loans from Turkish banks.
- New-build homes have grown. First-hand sales were 3.9 percent higher than last year, and this is the segment that includes most of the projects offered to foreigners.
The central bank's Monetary Policy Committee announces its new decision today, Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 14:00 Turkey time. At the time of writing, the decision had not yet been announced. According to published surveys, most economists expect a one-percentage-point cut to 36 percent, but some banks, such as Goldman Sachs, forecast that the rate will be held.
What Do These Statistics Mean for an Iranian Buyer?
One month's data alone does not tell you whether now is the time to buy. But a few practical takeaways can be drawn:
- The second-hand market offers room for negotiation. When second-hand sales have fallen 15.3 percent, sellers usually show more flexibility. This is a general reading, not a specific price; each property must be evaluated separately.
- Competition is higher in new-build projects. Growth in new-build sales means demand in this segment is more active, and the good units in projects sell faster.
- Take the official valuation seriously. Foreign buyers need an official valuation report (SPK ekspertiz), and this report is also relevant for citizenship. See the full explanation in our guide to the SPK valuation report.
- The citizenship condition has not changed. Under the presidential decision in force since 2022, for citizenship by property purchase the property's value must be at least $400,000 and a three-year no-sale commitment is registered on the deed. Details are in the article Turkish Passport by Property Investment. Rules may change, so check with ALO TURKEY consultants before deciding.
- Check the neighborhood for residence. Even in Istanbul, which has the most foreign purchases, not all neighborhoods are open for residence registration.
If a new-build home on the European side of Istanbul appeals to you, you can see an example of our projects such as Galleria Park Residence in Kağıthane. We give prices only through a consultation.
When Is the Next Release and How Should You Read It?
TÜİK usually publishes statistics on home sales to foreigners in Turkey and total housing sales around the middle of the following month. So the October 2026 figures will be published in mid-November. When reading these statistics, keep the following in mind:
- The monthly figure fluctuates a lot. To judge the trend, compare multi-month totals (for example January to September) with the previous year.
- These statistics cover homes only. Sales of workplaces (shops and offices) are reported separately.
- The statistics show volume, not price. How many homes were sold says nothing about whether homes are getting more or less expensive.
- Off-plan sales appear later. Because the statistics are based on title deed transfers, an off-plan home is counted when its title deed is transferred to the buyer.
To find out whether the current market suits you, also read Is Now a Good Time to Buy Property in Turkey?.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many homes were sold to foreigners in Turkey in September 2026?
2,167 residential units, which is 9.9 percent higher than September 2025 and about 1.5 percent of all housing sales in Turkey.
What was Iran's rank in September 2026?
Iranians ranked fourth with 159 homes, after Russia (388), Iraq (166) and Germany (162).
In which city do foreigners buy the most homes?
Istanbul was first with 817 homes in September, and Antalya second with 664. Together these two provinces accounted for nearly 70 percent of foreigners' purchases.
Have foreigners' purchases fallen in 2026?
Yes, in the nine-month total. From January to September 2026, 15,308 homes were sold to foreigners, 4.3 percent fewer than in the same period of 2025. September on its own, however, showed growth.
Do TÜİK statistics include off-plan homes?
Only when the title deed is transferred to the buyer. An off-plan contract without a title deed transfer is not counted in these statistics.
Free Consultation with ALO TURKEY
If you want to know what these statistics mean for your budget and your goal, from investment to residence or citizenship, the Persian-speaking consultants of ALO TURKEY in Istanbul are ready to answer. Message us on WhatsApp or book a free consultation through the contact page.
The statistics for all months, including Iranians' purchases and Iran's rank, are collected on the page Monthly Statistics of Property Purchases by Foreigners and Iranians in Turkey and updated every month.
Sources: Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Housing and Workplace Sales Statistics bulletin for September and August 2026 (published October 16, 2026); İş Yatırım report as cited by ForInvest (October 16, 2026); Homesoverseas (October 19, 2026); Shafaq News (October 17, 2026); Yeni Asır newspaper (October 17, 2026); Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye (TCMB) and Memurlar.net on the October 22, 2026 monetary policy meeting.