Land & Property News

Investing in a Turkish Villa Holiday Rental

Turkish property investment has soared in popularity in recent years. Many of those investors are foreign nationals who love the idea of owning real estate somewhere they can escape during their summer breaks, while also earning income from renting their properties when they aren't in residence. One of the common challenges is ensuring that overseas holiday homes and investment properties are financially viable and will command sufficient demand and rental earnings to either cover the cost of a mortgage or return a profit. The specialists in Turkish real estate at Property Turkey share insights into average rental values, areas with the strongest interest in short-term lets, and advice for prospective investors who want to make informed choices before they proceed. An Overview of Turkish Property Investment for Foreign National Buyers Turkey’s culture, beautiful coastlines and near-perfect weather have long attracted buyers who dream of owning their own corner of the Turquoise Coast or a contemporary apartment in the heart of Istanbul. It often makes sense to rent those properties out, whether on a longer-term basis when owners are away or as holiday rentals during the peak summer tourist season. The seasonality of the visitor economy is something you should certainly be aware of, because even premium villas and sea-view apartments that are booked solidly during the summer may be empty at times in the quieter, cooler months. That often means investors quantify their forecast earnings based on the busiest times and have already accounted for the fact that demand is slower or that prices need to be lower to remain competitive during other times of the year. However, we do see consistent interest in holiday rentals in luxury resorts and areas around the Turkish Riviera, especially those close to areas of natural beauty, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and spas, where visitors often want shorter stays or weekend breaks within close proximity. Another element to be aware of is that any rental income you receive will very likely be exposed to taxation, something investors often don’t realise, particularly if they live primarily overseas and haven’t understood that they’ll be obligated to pay tax locally. Choosing Where in Turkey to Buy an Investment Villa In terms of actual rental returns, a lot will depend on where the villa or other property is located, because in some destinations demand exists all year round. Antalya is a good example, because although it’s a holiday hotspot with amazing beaches and heritage architecture, it is also a hub for business and commerce. There is an ongoing need for short-term lets for professionals attending the varied exhibitions and conferences in the city, many of which are hosted at the NEST International Convention Centre, which opened six years ago. This demand is anticipated to grow further when the high-speed rail link between Antalya and Kayseri is completed. Other regions are more tourist-centric, and properties along the Aegean coast, like Bodrum, can deliver much higher incomes in the summer but offer more modest returns during quieter periods, when travellers still stay in the city after arriving by cruise ship but expect to pay lower property rental prices. Understanding Average Rental Incomes From Turkish Investment Villas Yields are always based on averages, which is why you shouldn’t rely on these figures as an exact picture of what your investment real estate will earn. However, they can indicate which types of homes and locations are best suited to your investment budget and the revenues you expect to make. According to the most recent reports, updated in summer 2025, the highest yields are available in Küçükçekmece, a district in Istanbul next to Lake Küçükçekmece, and in Seyhan, Adana, with yields for one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom villas averaging 10.91% and 10.12%, respectively. Other popular locations like Izmir see annual rental yields of between 6.75% to 8.11%, while Ankara averages 7.99% to 9.84%, with those yields varying between the number of bedrooms available and the size of the property. Although investors must be confident that the income received balances against the costs of buying and maintaining a property, many also make decisions about the locations where they'd like to spend time, which can mean profitability is only one of the most relevant factors. It remains advisable to visit any potential investment home in person, explore the local area, and consider whether you’d like to spend your valuable holiday time there, unless, of course, you're looking solely for an investment property that you don't intend to use yourself. How to Ensure Turkish Property Investment Returns Are Calculated Correctly A frequent mistake is to review the cost of buying a Turkish villa, whether outright or with financing, and disregard the ongoing expenses associated with property ownership and rental management. Owners will need to assess the condition of any property they’re considering buying, because repairs, redecorating, furnishing and cleaning may all be necessary before a newly acquired villa is ready to be let out. Alongside repayments, investors often contract a local agent to handle bookings, cleaning, upkeep, collecting deposits and balance payments, and managing security guards, landscapers, and pool maintenance teams. Letting agents can make it much easier for investors who won't need to deal with enquiries personally, but they will charge a commission depending on the tasks they have been assigned and the value of the rental income collected. The upside is that experienced agents can improve occupancy rates and market properties on behalf of owners, reducing the likelihood of extended periods when a rental property is empty and therefore not generating any passive income. Utility costs are also typically the owner's responsibility, except for those buying investment real estate to let out on a longer-term basis, which means it is essential to have a detailed list of all overheads and clarity about the monthly and annual costs involved. From there, investors can see whether average rental earnings comfortably cover those costs, or whether higher rental premiums in the busiest summer months will be sufficient to finance all other property management expenses for the rest of the year. 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