Knowing the restricted areas for foreign residents in Istanbul for 2024, as announced and regularly updated by the Turkish Immigration Directorate on its official website, is essential before considering buying or renting property for residence in Turkey's economic capital, Istanbul.

To make this task easier, Skyline Real Estate provides you with a list of neighborhoods in Istanbul that are off-limits to foreigners, as announced by the Turkish government through the Immigration Directorate. This includes 14 districts in the city. Additionally, we will discuss the exceptions that allow foreigners to reside in restricted neighborhoods in Turkey.

What is a Restricted Area for Foreign Residents?

A restricted area is a part of the city where foreign residents, including Arabs, cannot register their residence. The Turkish government, represented by the Immigration Directorate, has issued a list of such neighborhoods, which is regularly updated.

What are the Restricted Areas in Istanbul?

The number of neighborhoods prohibited for foreign residents in Turkey increased in June last year, reaching 1,169 neighborhoods across various regions, with notable mentions being Istanbul, Gaziantep, and Adana. Foreigners with all types of residency permits, including Syrians under "temporary protection," are not allowed to apply for residence in these areas.

According to the announced list published on the official website of the Turkish Immigration Directorate, foreigners can reside in all neighborhoods except for the following restricted areas in Istanbul:

Esenyurt District

Located on the European side of Istanbul, Esenyurt is bordered by the E-5 highway to the south, Kucukcekmece Lake (the gateway to the new Istanbul Canal project) to the east, and Buyukcekmece Lake to the west. It is a strategic area with high-level services that attract many foreigners for residence.

The restricted neighborhoods in Esenyurt are:

• AKEVLER
• SULTANİYE
• BAĞLARÇEŞME
• GÖKEVLER
• ZAFER
• PİRİ REİS
• KOZA
• YEŞİLKENT

Beyoğlu District

Situated on the European side between the southern part of the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn, Beyoğlu is an ancient district with a history spanning over 4,500 years, featuring a mosaic of Byzantine, Arab, and Ottoman civilizations.

Foreigners are allowed to reside in all neighborhoods except the following 10 restricted areas:

• BÜLBÜL
• KOCATEPE
• ŞEHİT MUHTAR
• KALYONCU KULLUĞU
• KAMER HATUN
• ÇUKUR
• KATİPMUSTAFA
• YENİŞEHİR
• KALYONCU KULLUĞU
• ASMALI MESCİT
• BOSTAN

Beylikdüzü District

Located in the western part of Istanbul, Beylikdüzü is bordered by Avcılar to the east, Esenyurt to the north, Buyukcekmece to the west, and the Sea of Marmara to the south.

The only restricted neighborhood in Beylikdüzü is: BEYLİKDÜZÜ OSB

Beşiktaş District

Located in the European part of Istanbul near Şişli, Sarıyer, and Kağıthane, Beşiktaş is a coastal area with a stunning view of the Bosphorus.

The only restricted neighborhood in Beşiktaş is: YILDIZ

Başakşehir District

A favorite among foreigners, Başakşehir is located near the vast Belgrade Forests, offering a significant attraction for residency.

The restricted neighborhoods in Başakşehir are:

• ZİYA GÖKALP
• İKİTELLİ OSB

Bahçelievler District

Located 20 kilometers from Taksim Square and 45 kilometers from the new Istanbul Airport, Bahçelievler has one restricted neighborhood: ŞİRİNEVLER

Avcılar District

Avcılar is bordered by the Sea of Marmara to the south, Kucukcekmece Lake to the west, Esenyurt and Beylikdüzü to the east, and Başakşehir to the north.

The three restricted neighborhoods in Avcılar are:

• GÜMÜŞPALA
• MERKEZ
• DENİZKÖŞKLER

Zeytinburnu District

Located on the European side of Istanbul, Zeytinburnu is surrounded by Fatih to the east, Bayrampaşa to the north, Bakırköy to the west, and the Sea of Marmara to the south.

The restricted neighborhoods in Zeytinburnu are:

• MALTEPE
• YENİDOĞAN
• NURİPAŞA
• YEŞİLTEPE

Ümraniye District

Situated on the Asian side of Istanbul, Ümraniye is bordered by Üsküdar to the west, Kadıköy to the south, Kartal and Sultanbeyli to the east, and Beykoz to the north.

The only restricted neighborhood in Ümraniye is: DUDULLU OSB

Tuzla District

Located at the eastern border of Istanbul, Tuzla is bordered by Pendik, Kocaeli, and the Sea of Marmara.

The only restricted neighborhood in Tuzla is: AYDINLI-KOSB

Şişli District

Located on the European side of Istanbul, Şişli is about 8 kilometers from the city center, surrounded by important areas like Eglow to the south and Sultan Eyup to the west.

The restricted neighborhoods in Şişli are:

• ERGENEKON
• İNÖNÜ
• MEŞRUTİYET
• CUMHURİYET

Sarıyer District

One of the most beautiful areas overlooking the Bosphorus, Sarıyer is a major tourist center in Istanbul, attracting thousands of foreigners annually.

The restricted neighborhood in Sarıyer is: MASLAK

Kucukcekmece District

Located west of Istanbul's city center, Kucukcekmece is surrounded by Başakşehir, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, Bakırköy, and Kucukcekmece Lake.

The restricted neighborhoods in Kucukcekmece are:

• MEHMET AKİF
• KÜÇÜKÇEKMECE İKİTELLİOSB MAHALLESİ
• BEŞYOL

Fatih District

Located in the heart of Istanbul, Fatih boasts a strategic location bordered by the Golden Horn to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south, with the historic walls of Constantinople to the west.

Fatih has the most restricted neighborhoods in Istanbul, which are:

• SARAÇ İSHAK
• MESİHPAŞA
• MİMAR KEMALETTİN
• MUHSİNE HATUN
• SARAÇ İSHAK
• BALABANAĞA
• MESİHPAŞA
• MOLLA GÜRANİ
• AKŞEMSETTİN
• MOLLA HÜSREV
• KEMALPAŞA
• KATİP KASIM
• İSKENDERPAŞA

Are There Any Exceptions for Foreigners to Register in Restricted Neighborhoods?

Yes, there are narrow exceptions where foreigners can reside in restricted neighborhoods in Istanbul:

• If they are students admitted to a university located in a restricted area.
• If they have purchased a home for investment purposes.
• If there is a health issue concerning the family's safety.
• If the foreigner has a work permit, they can register their address in their work area if it is in a restricted zone.
• The head of the family can add their children under 18 years old to their address in the restricted area.

Which Neighborhoods and Areas are Open to Foreigners in Istanbul?

All neighborhoods remain open to foreigners for residence and address registration unless they are listed in the restricted areas mentioned above.

This concludes Skyline Real Estate's detailed guide on restricted neighborhoods for foreigners in Istanbul. We have listed the neighborhoods where foreigners are not allowed to reside, totaling over fifty neighborhoods across different parts of Istanbul.