· Kilta Mimarlık
Everyone who wants to rent out a villa or holiday home in Bodrum by the season, week or day asks the same question: "Do I need a licence?" The short answer: for short-term tourist rentals, in most cases yes. This guide covers the main points of the law, what it means for a villa owner, and what the house needs to be ready for.
What does the law say?
Law No. 7464 on the Rental of Homes for Tourism Purposes was published in the Official Gazette on 2 November 2023 and came into force on 1 January 2024. It covers anyone who rents out a home for tourism for up to 100 days at a time. After that period, a new contract can be made for the same home, with no limit on the number of contracts. Rentals over 100 days fall under the general rental rules.
According to summaries published by law firms, the law and regulation have since been amended (changes dated 30 May 2024 and 10 October 2025 are mentioned). So we recommend confirming the current text with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism before you apply.
How do you get the licence?
- Application: made to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through e-Devlet. Turkish or foreign, individual or company owners can apply. Group A travel agencies follow a separate regime.
- Documents: the title deed record and identity documents; for shared or joint ownership, written statements from all owners.
- Owners' resolution: if the home is in a building with more than one unit, a notarised unanimous resolution of all unit owners is required.
- Technical suitability: the home's minimum equipment is checked.
- Result: according to the summaries, applications are decided within 60 days. The home can be inspected on site after the licence is issued.
The villa owner's case: detached and high-end homes
Good news for owners of detached villas: the unanimous owners' consent requirement doesn't apply in the same way to a detached home that is a single unit. The 25% limit for buildings with more than three units is not applied to high-end and detached homes either. However, whether the title deed lists the property as a dwelling, its zoning status and the ownership structure (a shared villa, for example) can affect the application. The regulation also has transition provisions for existing detached villas. Confirm which rules apply to your villa with the Ministry or a lawyer before applying.
Minimum requirements for the home
- At least one bed, a toilet and bathroom, a living area and a kitchen
- A fire extinguisher and a smoke detector
- Capacity: two people per bedroom, plus at most two more. No more than 12 people over the age of three may stay.
For guest safety, so that nobody is lost in the house in an emergency, it's good practice to have an emergency evacuation plan drawn from the floor plan. Kilta prepares these with its evacuation plan service.
Penalties for renting without a licence
According to law firm summaries, the first finding of an unlicensed rental brings a 100,000 TL administrative fine and 15 days to obtain a licence. If it's still unlicensed after that, a 500,000 TL fine and another 15 days follow, and continuing brings a 1,000,000 TL fine. The amounts are reported to be updated each year by the revaluation rate. Check the Ministry's announcements for current figures.
Is your villa ready to rent? The garden and pool
Guests form their first impression in the garden. The pool surround, shade, lighting, irrigation and garden care affect both reviews and occupancy. To keep the garden in shape all season, see our garden maintenance guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to rent out my villa in Bodrum for the season?
The law covers tourist rentals of up to 100 days at a time; rentals longer than 100 days fall under the general rental rules. Which applies to you depends on the contract length and the purpose of the stay.
Is listing on Airbnb or Booking enough?
No. Listing on a platform doesn't replace the licence. You need the licence before listing.
Do I need my neighbours' consent for a detached villa?
The unanimous owners' consent applies to buildings with several units. Detached homes are treated differently in this respect, but the title deed type and zoning status can affect the application. Confirm before applying.
How many guests can stay?
Two people per bedroom, plus at most two more. No more than 12 people over the age of three may stay in the home.
How is rental income taxed?
Rental income is taxable. Tax rules for short-term rentals can change, so check current rates with an accountant.
Sources (in Turkish)
This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Legislation can change. Consult the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and a lawyer about your own situation. Information compiled as of 23 October 2026.