Renting and buying property in Almaty for Turkish citizens

Can a Turkish citizen buy an apartment in Almaty?

Yes, if they have a Kazakh residence permit. Without one, a notary won't register housing to an individual; the law sets this rule for all temporarily staying foreigners, and there are no special exemptions for Turkish citizens.

If you don't have a residence permit yet, you buy the apartment through your own LLP (limited liability partnership, locally TOO). For Turkish entrepreneurs this is often the natural option: you need a company in Kazakhstan to work anyway, and both an office and housing for a manager can be registered to it.

Visa-free entry for Turkish citizens: 30 or 90 days?

Right now the rule is up to 30 days. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Internal Affairs has prepared changes allowing Turkish citizens to stay up to 90 days in every 180-day period. The draft has been through public consultation, but as of October 2026 the resolution hasn't been adopted, so I advise planning your trip around the 30-day rule.

That's usually enough for finding an apartment. On your first trip you get an IIN (individual identification number), view options, open a bank account and, if needed, leave a power of attorney so the deal can be closed without you.

Why Turkish citizens move to and buy in Almaty

Turkish companies have long worked in Kazakhstan in construction, retail, restaurants and textiles. A related language and a similar business culture make it easier to start. Many come first as a project manager or to open their own business, then bring their family over a couple of years later.

There's a financial reason too. After a long period of high inflation in Turkey, some entrepreneurs want to keep part of their capital in another country, in a real asset. For them, how easily the property can be sold later matters as much as the yield.

How to rent an apartment and an office in Almaty when moving from Turkey

For the first year I advise renting your home. That way you'll learn where your family is comfortable and where your business will operate. It's also better to start with renting an office or restaurant premises if the format hasn't been tested on the local market yet.

I choose premises for food service and shops by the numbers: foot traffic, the area's average spend, nearby competitors, electrical capacity and ventilation. The Salam Bro outlet in Kaskelen, which I chose myself, made about 4 million ₸ net a month, and the Magnum stores I found premises for at Kaspi Bank became profitable in about 2 years instead of the forecast 5–7.

LLP and business immigrant visa: the steps for Turkish entrepreneurs

My partner lawyers handle registration and the tax regime. For small businesses in Almaty the simplified declaration rate for 2026 is 3%, but an accountant decides whether it fits your type of activity. MRP is the monthly calculation index Kazakhstan uses to set fees and thresholds.

• A C5 visa on invitation, for up to 24 months, multiple entry
• An LLP with charter capital of at least 100 MRP is registered within 2 months of entry
• Since 01.04.2026 the founder attends registration in person
• Documents from Turkey are apostilled and translated into Kazakh and Russian
• The LLP's bank account takes 2–4 weeks to open

Which districts Turkish families and entrepreneurs choose

Families with children often look at Samal and the Botanical Garden area: schools, parks and good infrastructure nearby. For restaurants and shops, the Golden Square is interesting because of its dense foot traffic, although the buildings there are mostly old, and I check their earthquake resistance separately.

Entrepreneurs who want a house with a plot look at Gorny Gigant. There it's important to sort out the land category: private housing (IZhS) or garden plots, since the documents and the possibility of registration depend on it.

How I work with clients from Turkey

I don't speak Turkish. We communicate in English or Russian, and we bring in an interpreter for the deal and important negotiations. I prepare property reports and calculations in English.

Accompaniment includes finding a rental or purchase, viewings, document checks, the deal at the notary and liaising with lawyers on the IIN, bank and LLP. My commission on a purchase starts at 1%.