Hotel Booking Assistance in Istanbul

What makes accommodation legal and safe in Turkey?

In Turkey, no establishment may receive guests as a hotel, resort, or serviced apartment unless it holds a Tourism Business Certificate (Turizm İşletmesi Belgesi) issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, or at least an official municipal license to operate an accommodation business for smaller establishments. This document means the establishment has met official standards regarding safety, facilities, and management, and that it falls under the supervision and oversight of the relevant authorities.

As for renting apartments and homes for a few days or weeks through booking sites, this has been explicitly regulated since 2024 under Law No. 7464 on renting homes for tourism purposes. Under this law, no property owner or manager may rent out their apartment for short stays without first obtaining a tourism rental permit from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, following approval from the building's other owners. This means the "serviced apartment" or "tourist residence" offered for booking must itself hold an official permit, just like hotels.

Important points to know

• Staying at an unlicensed establishment — whether a small hotel or a furnished apartment — means the absence of official oversight over safety standards and facilities, and the absence of a clear official body to turn to if a dispute or problem arises during the stay
• Since Law No. 7464 came into effect in 2024, renting an apartment for tourism purposes without the required rental permit has become a legal violation, with consequences borne by the owner or manager
• The absence of a license doesn't only affect the property owner — it also leaves the guest in a legally less protected position, since there's no easily accessible, officially registered body to turn to in the event of a dispute over the stay
• The presence of the permit or official document displayed at the property or in the booking details is an important sign that the establishment operates within the legal framework, something Rafiq pays attention to when coordinating bookings for its clients

Frequently asked questions

Is renting an apartment for a few nights through a booking site legal in Turkey? Yes, provided the owner or manager holds the tourism rental permit set out in Law No. 7464. Without this permit, short-term residential rental is considered illegal as of 2024, regardless of the platform on which the apartment was listed.

What exactly changed in 2024 regarding tourist apartment rentals? Law No. 7464 came into effect in early 2024, requiring anyone wishing to rent out their home for tourism purposes for short stays to obtain an official permit in advance from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, following approval from the building's other owners.

How can I tell in principle that a hotel or accommodation is licensed? Licensed establishments hold a Tourism Business Certificate issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism or an official municipal license, while licensed tourist apartments must hold the rental permit issued under Law No. 7464.

Last updated: 2026-09-07