Airbnb & Short-Term
How Do I List My Home on Airbnb? The 2026 Guide in 8 Steps
The permit, the building decision, tax, listing and operational steps needed to put your home on Airbnb in Türkiye, in an up-to-date 2026 guide.
The short answer: before letting your home on Airbnb or a similar channel for 100 days or less at a time in Türkiye, check the property's legal eligibility, obtain a unanimous decision from the other owners where required, and apply for a tourism rental permit. Then prepare the home for both the regulations and guest expectations, and set up tax, guest registration, the listing and your day-to-day operation.
Please note: this guide is for general information; it is not legal or financial advice. Legislation, fees and penalties can change. Before you begin, check current requirements against Ministry of Culture and Tourism sources, and take advice from an accountant or lawyer on your own situation.
The answer to “how do I list my home on Airbnb?” is not just creating a listing. Short-term letting in Türkiye is a regulated activity in which the permit, building consent, safety, tax, guest registration and daily operations are all managed together. This eight-step guide sets out the order to follow, from the first eligibility check to welcoming your first guest.
Do you need a permit to let a home on Airbnb?
Yes. Under Law No. 7464 and its associated regulation, letting a home for 100 days or less at a time falls within tourism rental. The test is the length of the let, not the platform. Whether you use Airbnb, Booking.com or another channel, or take the booking directly, makes no difference.
The permit must be obtained before letting begins. The regulation also states that rooms in a permitted home cannot be let separately to different people: the permit is issued for the whole property.
Eight steps to putting your home on Airbnb
1. Check that the home and the building qualify
The first checks are the title deed classification, ownership, the structure of the building, and how many permits will be applied for in one name. In a building with more than three units, permits may be issued in one person's name for at most 25% of the homes in it. That limit should not be read as a total across all the owners in the building.
If more than five homes in the same building are to be permitted in the name of the same landlord, a business operating licence is also required. Some of the building-consent and 25% rules apply differently to detached houses and to high-specification housing that meets the conditions in the legislation. So before buying or investing substantially, confirm which category the property falls into.
2. Obtain the owners' unanimous decision where required
If the home is in a building with more than one unit, the application must include a notarised decision taken unanimously by the owners of every residential unit in the building. A single refusal can stop a standard apartment application.
When speaking to neighbours, describing the income potential is not enough. Present a written operating plan covering noise, security, use of common areas and who to contact in an emergency. Being clear about quiet hours, how guests are verified and who is available around the clock reduces uncertainty.
3. Prepare the documents and apply through e-Devlet
Applications for a tourism rental permit are made to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism through e-Devlet only. Paper applications are not considered. The contents of the file vary with the type of property and ownership, but for a standard apartment the following will be needed:
Identity and contact details; for legal entities, the relevant company and representation documents,
A current title deed record showing ownership and any rights in rem over the property,
Where there is joint ownership, owner declarations in the form required by the legislation,
Where required, the notarised unanimous decision of the other owners,
A notarised power of attorney if applying through a representative,
A business operating licence if applying for more than five homes in the same building in the same name.
Check the Ministry's current application guide and the e-Devlet application service before preparing the file.
4. Prepare the home for the regulations and for guests
The regulation requires the home to have at least one bed, a bathroom and WC, a living area and a kitchen. Hot and cold water, quality beds and linen, a fire extinguisher, smoke detectors where required and an escape plan are also within the scope of inspection.
Linen: what to prepare: at least three sets of bedding per bed, towel sets, spare pillows · why it matters: keeps same-day turnarounds from falling behind
Safety: what to prepare: smoke detector, fire extinguisher, escape plan, first aid kit · why it matters: critical for both the regulations and guest safety
Technology: what to prepare: strong internet, smart lock, TV, accessible sockets · why it matters: supports self check-in and demand for longer stays
Kitchen: what to prepare: enough crockery and cutlery, a kettle, basic cooking and storage equipment · why it matters: matches the real experience to what the listing promises
Workspace: what to prepare: a desk, a suitable chair and good lighting · why it matters: a deciding factor for guests working remotely
Once the preparation is done, arrange professional photography. The photographs should not merely look good; they should accurately show the room layout, bed capacity, accessibility and the amenities that matter.
5. Receive the permit and display the ministry plaque
Once the permit is issued, the plaque prepared by the Ministry must be displayed at the entrance to the home. It shows the permit date and number, the address and the permit holder's contact details. Before completing the listing, check that the permit and plaque details match.
6. Set up tax and record-keeping with an accountant
The income tax, VAT, record-keeping and accommodation tax consequences of short-term letting are assessed according to how continuous the activity is, how it is organised, what services are provided and the taxpayer's status. A 2024 ruling by the Revenue Administration stated that the standard VAT rate should apply to overnight accommodation provided in permitted homes; a further 2026 ruling considered the income and record-keeping detail of short-term residential letting.
So do not proceed on the assumption that you will “declare it like ordinary rent”. Before your first booking, put your registration, invoicing, VAT, accommodation tax and any tourism levy obligations on a written timetable with an accountant.
7. Create the listing under your own account, with complete information
Where possible, create the listing on an account the owner controls. If you are going to work with an Airbnb management company, give it co-host or equivalent access, and settle at the outset who keeps the account and the review history when the contract ends.
The listing should accurately state the location, capacity, floor, balcony or terrace, number of beds and bathrooms, accessibility, internet, pet policy, check-in and check-out times, cleaning service and building rules. Enter the permit details in full in the field the platform requires.
8. Standardise guest registration and daily operations
The permit holder must meet their obligations under the Guest Registration Law and under data protection rules. Make guest registration part of the booking checklist; process personal data only as far as necessary, securely and in line with the legislation.
Set out who is responsible, and within what response time, for cleaning, linen, check-in, maintenance, pricing and guest messages. Even with one apartment, night-time messages, urgent maintenance and same-day turnarounds require a proper operation.
How long does the process take?
The Ministry's application guide provides for applications from people new to the activity to be concluded within 30 days. That is the formal assessment period for a complete application; obtaining the owners' decision, preparing documents and furnishing the home can extend the overall timeline. For an owner with a unanimous decision in hand and complete paperwork, a planning window of three to six weeks may be reasonable — though it is not guaranteed.
Eligibility and title check: planning window: 1–3 days · can run in parallel: —
Owners' decision: planning window: variable; weeks or months · can run in parallel: it is a precondition of the application
Permit assessment: planning window: up to 30 days for a complete new application · can run in parallel: no
Tax and record-keeping: planning window: varies · can run in parallel: yes
Furnishing, safety and photography: planning window: 1–3 weeks · can run in parallel: yes
Listing and operational setup: planning window: 3–7 days · can run in parallel: yes
Should I manage it myself or work with a company?
Managing it yourself avoids the commission, but requires regular time for pricing, night-time messages, cleaning, maintenance and legal follow-up. Management companies offer different packages and commission models. Compare more than the rate: look at what income the commission is calculated on, who bears cleaning and platform costs, and who keeps the listing account.
Time: managing it yourself: yours · management company: largely handed over, depending on the package
Rate optimisation: managing it yourself: takes experience and attention · management company: run with systematic tools
Nights and emergencies: managing it yourself: your responsibility · management company: depends on the service level in the contract
Compliance: managing it yourself: yours to track · management company: the scope must be written into the contract
Cost: managing it yourself: time, people and operating costs · management company: commission and any additional service fees
What to expect in the first 90 days
A new listing has no review history and no performance data. The aim of the first period is not the highest nightly rate but attracting the right guest, ironing out operational mistakes and gathering credible reviews.
First 30 days: aim for your first reviews with a competitive opening rate, fast replies and flawless cleaning.
30–60 days: improve the title, photo order and rate according to views, conversion and reviews.
60–90 days: once you have occupancy and average rate data, systematise dynamic pricing; if the operation is ready, consider a second sales channel.
Let us plan the process for you
PeraHomes runs the short-term rental process end to end for owners in Istanbul — from eligibility and permit preparation to listing setup, revenue management and guest operations.
Request a free initial assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to list my home on Airbnb?
Yes. Letting a home for 100 days or less at a time requires a tourism rental permit, obtained before the activity begins.
Is building consent mandatory to let a home on Airbnb?
In a standard building with more than one unit, a notarised decision taken unanimously by the owners of every residential unit is required. Different provisions apply to detached houses and high-specification housing.
Can a tenant list their home on Airbnb?
A standard long-term tenant cannot obtain a permit on the strength of a tenancy agreement alone. The permit is issued to the owner or to those listed in the legislation, such as a registered holder of usufruct or building rights.
Where is the application made?
Only through e-Devlet, to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Paper applications are not considered.
What does the 25% limit mean?
In buildings with more than three units, permits may be issued in one person's name for at most 25% of the homes in the building. It is not a shared total applying across all the owners.
How is Airbnb income taxed?
The nature of the income and obligations such as VAT, record-keeping and accommodation tax are assessed according to the operating model. Review your own position with an accountant before your first booking.