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Foreigners purchasing homes in Türkiye are gradually shifting their focus away from the country’s traditionally popular coastal destinations such as Istanbul, Antalya, and Mersin toward newly emerging urban centers, as recent data reveal a noticeable decline in foreign demand across these former hotspots.
Despite a 27.9% rise in overall home sales across Türkiye, reaching 454,145 units in January–April 2025, sales to foreign nationals continued to decline, falling by 13.5% to 6,018 units due to weakening demand in major tourist hubs. This marks the lowest level of foreign residential purchases in Türkiye since 2016, reflecting a broader cooling trend in cross-border real estate investment.
Istanbul, while still holding onto its position as the top destination for foreign home ownership in Türkiye, saw sales slip by 5.9% compared to the same period last year. This signals a clear shift in momentum for the city, which has long drawn in international buyers thanks to its global accessibility, rich cultural landscape, and wide-ranging property options.
Antalya, another key market traditionally favored by European and especially Russian buyers, experienced a steeper drop. Foreign home sales in the city fell by more than 20% year-on-year, signaling a retreat from what had been one of the most sought-after resort destinations on the Mediterranean coast. Rising prices, saturation in the local market, or shifting investor priorities may have contributed to this decline.
Mersin, which had seen growing interest from foreign nationals in recent years due to its affordability and access to the sea, recorded the sharpest drop among major destinations. Sales to foreigners plummeted by nearly 30%, suggesting that demand in secondary coastal markets is also starting to wane.
Conversely, demand from international buyers appears to be gaining strength in provinces that were previously less prominent on the foreign investment radar. In the capital city, Ankara, foreign property purchases rose from 170 units in the first four months of 2024 to 192 in the same period of 2025, marking a 12.9% annual increase. This uptick reflects a growing interest in the administrative and political center of Türkiye, likely driven by stable pricing and improved infrastructure.
Izmir, located on the Aegean coast and known for combining urban amenities with coastal charm, also posted a 16% increase in foreign sales. The city has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative to Istanbul and Antalya, appealing to buyers looking for a more balanced lifestyle.
Meanwhile, Sakarya—situated near the Marmara region and benefiting from its proximity to Istanbul, strong transportation links, and ongoing industrial development—recorded one of the highest gains. Foreign sales in the city jumped by 20.7% year-on-year, reinforcing its emergence as a new hotspot for international property investment.
Market observers point to rapidly rising property prices—driven by construction costs, currency depreciation, and inflation—as a key factor discouraging foreign buyers.
While domestic demand remains strong, these price hikes have significantly narrowed the window of affordability for many international investors, particularly in popular regions where competition and speculative buying have already pushed prices to record highs.
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