What Is the Difference Between Apartments and Flats in Turkey?

Our company often receives questions about buying apartments in Turkey. This category includes many attractive properties on the Mediterranean coast, but buyers are confused by the name itself. What lies behind it? Is there a difference between a flat in Turkey and an apartment? You will find answers to these and other questions in this article, prepared by our experts. If you are interested in returns, also read our analysis of when investing in apartments makes sense.

Apartments or flats: what is the difference?

In some countries, the key difference between a flat and an "apartment" lies not in the characteristics of the property itself, but in its legal status.

There, "apartments" are classed as non-residential property and can even be located in office buildings, while everything with the status of a flat is residential housing. Both, however, are used for living.

Under those countries' laws, a flat is property for people to live in that meets building, fire and sanitary standards.

An "apartment" is non-residential premises for temporary stay. It can be located in a new building or a converted building without a residential construction permit, and has at least two living rooms, a kitchen and an area of more than 40 m².

How apartments and flats differ where the distinction is legal

Flat	Apartment
Residential housing	Non-residential property
No minimum area	Area from 40 m²
From 1 living room	From 2 living rooms
Permanent residence possible	Permanent residence possible
Temporary and permanent registration	Temporary registration for 5 years
Standard property tax	Higher property tax
Any renovation at the owner's discretion	Upscale interior
Infrastructure depends on the building and can be of any level	Well-developed infrastructure within walking distance
Cleaning done by the owner	Cleaning done by the complex staff

Specifics of non-residential apartments

In those markets, such apartments are high-end properties with advantages such as generous floor space, all the necessary amenities, a convenient location with good infrastructure and access to the extra facilities of the residential complex. But their non-residential status imposes certain restrictions:

Price. Compared with ordinary housing, such apartments can cost 10–20% more. However, among less upscale options, the price may be lower than for a comparable flat.
Tax. Apartments can be located in hotel and office buildings, in which case property tax is charged at 0.5% to 2% of the cadastral value, compared with 0.1% for residential property.
Utility bills. For commercial property, utilities are charged at higher rates.

Given these nuances, it cannot be said that buying such an apartment is more profitable than buying a flat. This is why many buyers from those countries are wary of this category of property in Turkey too. In reality, there are no grounds for this.

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Apartments: what they are and whether to buy them in Turkey

When choosing property here, you can forget about all those specifics. In Turkey, an apartment is simply another name for a flat in a residential building. The only difference is the name, which comes from the English word "apartment," used by the British, Germans and Scandinavians who actively buy property in Turkey. There is no difference from a flat in this term. So such a purchase has no special features or additional risks compared with buying a flat, provided the property is registered as residential. This is worth checking, as explained below.

Where there really is a difference in Turkey: the designation on the TAPU

The word "apartment" in a listing means nothing legally. What matters is the property's designation recorded on the TAPU (title deed):

What the TAPU says	What it means for the buyer
"Mesken" or "konut" — residential	An ordinary flat: you can apply for a residence permit, utilities are charged at residential rates, property tax is 0.1% (0.2% in metropolitan provinces)
"İşyeri", "ofis", "dükkan" — commercial premises	No residence permit is granted for such a property, utility rates are higher, property tax is 0.2% (0.4% in metropolitan provinces). Units in aparthotels and hotel-style "residences" are often registered this way

This is why, before paying a deposit, it is worth asking the seller for a copy of the TAPU and checking the property's designation.

"Buyers are often confused by the word 'residence' in the name of a complex. We advise looking not at the advertising but at the TAPU: it states clearly whether the property is residential or commercial. The residence permit and the size of utility bills depend on it," says a sales manager at Yekta Homes.

What to look for when choosing an apartment in Turkey

Choosing this type of property in Turkey is no different from choosing any other. Important characteristics to assess before buying include:

the location of the property;
the features of the residential complex;
the size and layout;
additional services in the complex;
the condition of nearby infrastructure, and so on;
the property's designation on the TAPU: residential or commercial.

Yekta Homes offers apartments in modern residential complexes. You can buy them in completed or under-construction complexes. Layouts to suit every taste include:

1+0 – a studio, a living room combined with a kitchen, 40–60 m², with one bathroom (listings sometimes write it as 0+1);
1+1 – a living room combined with a kitchen, one bedroom and one bathroom, 45–58 m²;
2+1 – a living room combined with a kitchen, two bedrooms and one or two bathrooms, 69–114 m²;
3+1 – a living room combined with a kitchen, three bedrooms and one or more bathrooms, 134–176 m².

Sizes are given for Yekta Blue V Residence and Yekta Alara City Residence. In the Turkish format, the first number is the number of rooms (bedrooms), and the second is the living room.

All options have modern, practical layouts, balconies and spacious loggias. Luxury homes have spacious terraces, and bathrooms are equipped not only with showers but also with jacuzzis.

As a rule, these apartments are in new residential complexes and are handed over with a finished renovation, installed plumbing, a fitted kitchen and sometimes even furniture. When you buy property from Yekta Homes, you get a wide range of after-sales services.

Our complexes have many extra facilities available to all residents:

outdoor and indoor pools;
a hammam;
a gym;
a sauna;
barbecue areas;
a massage room, and much more.

The price depends on the class of housing: economy, business or luxury. Among Yekta Homes' offers, every buyer will find the right option. Prices in Yekta Homes complexes start at €103,000 in projects under construction and €139,000 in completed ones.

How to get Turkish citizenship?

Is buying a property in Turkey a profitable investment?

Which is better: an apartment or a flat in Turkey?

Since there is no fundamental difference between these terms in Turkey, there is no point in asking which is more profitable to buy. Still, there are advantages that set high-quality Yekta Homes apartments apart:

Well-planned infrastructure. Our complexes are located in developed neighborhoods, with everything you need for a comfortable life nearby.
Quality finish. Buying from Yekta Homes means modern materials, practical layouts and a stylish finished renovation.
Access to the complex's additional services. In our complexes, owners can order regular cleaning and rental services, use the shared grounds with all their facilities and much more. This makes owning property much easier.

It is the choice of modern people who know what a good investment is and prefer a high level of comfort.

Is it worth investing in apartments in Turkey?

Buying property in Turkey is certainly a reliable and profitable investment. Besides getting a comfortable home where you can holiday on the Mediterranean at any time with minimal costs, you invest in a liquid asset that can become a source of additional income.

If you buy an apartment in a completed complex from Yekta Homes, you can spend your holidays there and rent it out profitably while you are away. Since 2024, short-term rentals have required a permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the consent of all apartment owners in the building.

In terms of investment appeal, apartments in complexes under construction have the greatest potential. You can buy such a property at a very attractive price, which will rise noticeably as soon as construction is complete. This opens up good opportunities for a profitable resale, as property in Turkey, especially in new modern complexes, is in high demand and prices rise year after year.

One-bedroom (1+1) apartments are especially popular. You can buy one from €53,000 (this is what an apartment of about 50 m² costs at the average price per square meter in Alanya, according to Endeksa for July 2026). It is an ideal choice for holidays, permanent living or renting out. Such properties attract the most interest from investors, as they can generate returns of 3% to 15% a year, depending on location. The average gross rental yield in Turkey in the third quarter of 2026 was 7.86% (Global Property Guide). With the help of Yekta Homes, owners can achieve a higher annual return. It follows that investing in Turkish property is definitely worthwhile.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a difference between an apartment and a flat in Turkey?

Not in the word itself, which comes from the English "apartment." The difference lies in the property's designation on the TAPU: residential (konut, mesken) or commercial (işyeri).

Can I get a residence permit for a unit in an aparthotel?

Only if the TAPU registers it as residential. No residence permit is granted for commercial premises.

What do 1+1 and 2+1 mean?

The first number is the number of rooms (bedrooms), and the second is the living room. A 1+1 has one bedroom and a living room; a studio is written as 1+0.

How much does a 1+1 apartment cost in Alanya?

At the average price per square meter in Alanya (Endeksa, July 2026), an apartment of about 50 m² costs about €53,000. In new Yekta Homes complexes, prices start at €103,000.

Buying an apartment in Turkey with Yekta Homes

To make your property purchase in Turkey as successful and profitable as possible, rely on experienced professionals in the Turkish market, the developer Yekta Homes. We offer a wide choice of properties in completed and under-construction modern residential complexes. Our specialists will help you choose the best option for your goals and preferences and will handle all matters related to the transaction. If you need more space, consider a duplex: two-level apartments are available, for example, at Yekta Blue V Residence. We guarantee a safe and successful purchase. For any questions about buying property in Turkey, contact us. Call us at +90 533 782 0000.