Antalya is the Turkish city foreigners choose to live in more than any other on the coast: sun all year, the sea minutes away, excellent private hospitals, international schools and an airport the whole world flies to. For a residence permit you need a notarised rental contract in a neighbourhood open for registration, health insurance and a migration-office appointment — we prepare the whole file. Best areas for a long stay: Konyaaltı, Lara/Güzeloba and Alanya.
Why Antalya?
A long summer and a mild, sunny winter; swim from May to November and ski in the mountains an hour away afterwards.
High-standard private hospitals, international schools and the large Akdeniz University.
A huge international airport with direct flights to most of Europe, the Gulf and Russia.
Rents and daily life cost less than Istanbul, and life is calmer and closer to nature.
Best neighbourhoods for a long stay
| Area | Character | Suits | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konyaaltı (Liman, Hurma, Sarısu) | Modern, near sea and university | Families and young professionals | Most popular with foreigners; some quarters closed for registration |
| Lara and Güzeloba | Upscale, villas and large flats | Families, near the airport | International schools and malls |
| Muratpaşa (centre) | Old town and markets | City-centre lovers | Older buildings, lower rents |
| Kepez | Local, spacious | Tight budgets | Further from the sea |
| Alanya | A full coastal city | Long stays and retirement | Large foreign community, 2 h east |
Since 2022 the migration authority closes neighbourhoods where foreigners exceed a set share to new address registrations. The list changes, and some quarters of Konyaaltı and Muratpaşa are currently closed. So: don't sign a lease before we check the neighbourhood for you.
Residence permits: types and steps
The short-term (tourist) permit is the first route for most newcomers, then the family permit for relatives of residents or citizens, the student permit for university enrolment, and the long-term permit after eight continuous years. All six types are explained on our Turkish residency page and in the complete guide.
- 1Address
A notarised rental contract in an open neighbourhood, or a title deed.
- 2Documents
Valid passport, health insurance, biometric photos, sworn translations of any foreign document (marriage, birth certificates).
- 3Application and appointment
Online application, fee payment and the migration-office appointment — we accompany you.
- 4The card
Delivered by post to your address within weeks; then get a tax number and open a bank account if you wish.
Do
- Notarise the rental contract in your own name
- Buy health insurance covering the full permit period
- Have marriage and birth certificates sworn-translated before the appointment
Avoid
- Renting in a closed neighbourhood and then applying
- Relying on an unnotarised contract or one in someone else's name
- Missing the renewal window — apply before the card expires
Daily life
Transport: the AntRay tram and buses with an AntalyaKart; a car is handy outside the centre. Health: major private hospitals in Lara and Konyaaltı with Arabic-, Russian- and English-speaking departments. Education: international schools in Konyaaltı and Lara, and Akdeniz University. Shopping: big malls and weekly produce markets in every district. Halal food: everywhere.
How Alwan's team helps
Alwan's residency and translation team handles the file end to end: checking the neighbourhood, notarising the contract, insurance, sworn translation, the online application and accompanying you to the appointment — then the yearly renewal. Need a flat or villa for a long stay? We recommend options in open neighbourhoods.
Ask the residency team about AntalyaKeep reading: Complete Antalya guide · Where to stay in Antalya · Antalya airport to the city · Best beaches in Antalya · Day trips from Antalya
Frequently asked questions
Is Antalya a good place to live?
One of the best Turkish cities for foreigners: mild weather all year, sea and mountains, an international airport, high-standard private hospitals, international schools, and a calmer, cheaper life than Istanbul. It has Türkiye's largest Russian-speaking community plus Arab and European ones.
How do I get a residence permit in Antalya?
Most common is the short-term (tourist) permit with a notarised rental contract and health insurance, then the family permit for spouses of residents or citizens. You apply online, then attend an appointment at the migration office. Our team prepares the complete file and translates documents.
Which neighbourhoods are closed for residency registration?
The migration authority periodically closes some neighbourhoods to new foreign address registrations once foreigners exceed a set share. The list changes, so we check it before you sign a lease so your application isn't refused.
Are there international schools in Antalya?
Yes — private schools with international, Turkish and Russian curricula in Konyaaltı and Lara, plus Turkish-language centres. We help with enrolment and certifying previous certificates.
