How do I find a suitable home? Is finding a home in Türkiye easy or difficult? Do Turkish universities have their own dormitories? Where can I rent in Istanbul? All these questions are asked from international students who want to study at one of the Turkish universities which we will discuss in this article about Housing costs for international students in Türkiye from New Horizons company. Keep reading.
Studying in Turkey has become a dream for many students, especially those from the Gulf states, who are attracted by the level and quality of education in Turkey. In addition, the cost of university studies is lower than in European countries, as is the case for students from Syria and Iraq.
Therefore, it has become necessary to search for student housing that suits each student's financial circumstances and compare the services provided to students in each type of student housing in Türkiye.
The real estate market in Turkey is considered one of the most expensive in the region as prices are astonishingly high.
Istanbul is the center of trade and economics in Turkey and the primary destination for Arab and foreign tourists, making the average cost of living in Istanbul relatively high compared to other cities so it's recommended to live in another city with lower costs than the average cost of living in Istanbul.
Student housing types in Turkey are divided into:
Most universities in Turkey offer on-campus accommodation, with the dormitory located within the university's campuses.
Usage is usually included in the housing fee, so you don't have to worry about paying water or electricity bills.
On-campus accommodation is rich in social life for students and helps them form long-lasting friendships.
Students can share a room with 1-3 roommates or live in one room alone, allowing students from different cultures to interact and help each other when needed.
Some universities provide student housing, such as:
Al-Biruni University Housing.
Okan University Housing.
Istinye University Housing.
Işık University Housing.
Aydın University Housing.
Medipol University Housing.
Bahçeşehir University Housing.
Nishantaşı University Housing.
Altınbaş University Housing.
These student dormitories are affiliated with the KYK Foundation, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Turkey.
There are approximately 400 government student dormitories in all Turkish provinces.
These dormitories contain more than 368,000 beds.
Monthly government housing costs for international students in Türkiye costs between 200 and 400 Turkish liras, depending on the province and neighborhood.
Accommodation in this type of student housing requires a deposit of approximately 500 Turkish liras.
Government student housing is closed during the summer vacation.
Some student housing is kept open during summer courses and university internships.
Registration for these housing requires contacting the applicant before the start of the vacation period.
Government housing is cheaper than private housing.
It is supervised and sponsored by the Turkish government.
It's close to the university, saving time, effort, and transportation costs.
It offers students the services and tools they need for a comfortable study period, including
Meals are symbolic (breakfast 3 liras and lunch 6 liras), but some question the quality of food in government student housing.
Free internet access is available in all government student housing.
Free cleaning and laundry services are available in private laundries.
Psychological and social support services are provided to students by specialists.
Possibility of 10-day accommodation in any other government student housing facility.
Disadvantages of government student housing in Türkiye: The number of students per room can reach up to 8 in some rooms, which can make it difficult to concentrate on studying amid such a large number of students.
These dormitories are either run by the Turkish Foundation or a charitable or religious organization in Turkey.
These dormitories allow students to stay for a nominal fee or sometimes for free.
These dormitories are characterized by a committed atmosphere and strict rules.
Accepted students are selected after a personal interview, which involves talking and getting to know the students.
The foundations overseeing these residences provide the opportunity to attend religious and preaching courses and participate in organized programs and seminars supervised by religious authorities in Turkey.
Attendance at these activities is not mandatory for residents of the residences.
Official Turkish foundation housing is considered the most reliable and organized, and is characterized by being modern and secure.
These dormitories are primarily active in three major provinces: Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.
Foundation dormitories, provided by religious organizations in Türkiye, accept all students regardless of their political affiliation and are open to foreign and Arab students.
These private student housing units in Turkey are established and managed by private companies.
These private companies provide the best conditions for comfortable and quiet housing with excellent services. They are considered superior to government and endowment housing in terms of service and psychological aspects.
These types of housing provide facilities for students living there, such as study halls, libraries, meeting rooms, and sports facilities. Some also offer additional services, such as high-speed internet access, air conditioning, and advanced security systems.
These private companies provide a stimulating and comfortable environment for students to focus on their studies and achieve their academic goals.
Private student housing in Turkey provides students with the opportunity to interact and connect with students from diverse cultures and disciplines, promoting cooperation and cultural exchange among students.
Arab and international students studying in Turkey face difficulty finding suitable housing options in government housing, endowments, or even private housing.
Many of them resort to living in student or youth apartments, which are usually regular apartments inhabited by students and young people.
Students often prefer to live in specially equipped apartments, which provide some basic services and amenities. This provides students with greater comfort and reduces the financial and administrative burden of renting a regular apartment.
Students pay a monthly rent for their residence in these student apartments, and they are provided with free services, such as electricity, water, internet, and gas, in addition to other services depending on the apartment they choose.
The rental price for a single room in student housing in Türkiye varies depending on the province and region where the housing is located, as well as the services provided as the following:
In Esenyurt, 850 Turkish liras.
In Avcılar, 900 Turkish liras.
In Bashkir, 1,100 Turkish liras.
In Beyoğlu, 2,900 Turkish liras.
In Trabzon, 400-500 Turkish liras.
In Eskişehir, 550-700 Turkish liras.
In Bursa, 500-800 Turkish liras.
In Kocaeli, 500-600 Turkish liras.
These are the rental prices for a single room in a youth hostel. The cost can be reduced by sharing a room with another student.
Here are some websites where you can search for suitable and affordable accommodation similar to a youth hostel:
hostelbookers.com.
hostelworld.com.
airbnb.com.
homestay.com.
Read also: Advantages of studying in Turkey
Now that we've covered the details of Housing costs for international students in Türkiye, let's look at general housing rental prices in Turkey:
The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center starts at approximately 19,729.35 Turkish lira.
The monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment outside the city center starts at approximately 13,754.67 Turkish lira.
Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city center starts at approximately 34,299 Turkish lira.
Monthly rent for a 3-bedroom apartment outside the city center starts at approximately 23,190.25 Turkish lira.
Read also: The average cost of living in Türkiye in 2025
Buying an apartment in the city center costs between 66,481.31 Turkish lira, while the price per square meter for buying an apartment farther from the city center ranges between 39,770.45 Turkish lira.
Note: If you're looking for housing costs for international students in Türkiye, visit the Sahibinden website to find a variety of housing options in all Turkish cities. The website also allows you to check prices to choose the one that best suits you.
As an expatriate and tourist in Turkey, before purchasing or renting a home, you should be aware of some tips to keep in mind during the search and selection process. This will help you avoid falling victim to fraud and scams, and also enable you to make an informed choice.
Here are the most important tips:
Prepare clear specifications about the style, type, area, and size of the home, as well as your purpose for purchasing the home, as this will significantly help you make your selection.
Visit more than one home directly and do not rely solely on photos or the real estate agent's description.
Check for the availability of centers and services near the home to ensure their proximity and location, so you don't have to spend time and effort shopping in a distant area.
Do not sign a purchase or lease agreement before carefully reading it and reviewing it with the sales representative.
It is better to use a reputable real estate website such as Sahibinden or a real estate agent recommended by a reliable source, rather than using unreliable sources that expose you to the possibility of fraud.
The following tips should be considered when considering renting an apartment for student accommodation in Türkiye:
Easy access to transportation, especially metro or metro bus stations.
It is preferable to avoid renting underground apartments, called "bodrum" in Turkish, as the high humidity can damage walls and ceilings, which can also be harmful to health.
Pay attention to the heating system in your home.
You must verify the ownership of the person you are renting from by reviewing their title deed, known in Turkish as "tapu."
Read more: Tips for international students in Türkiye
Finally, Studying in Türkiye is a great idea, offering many incentives and temptations. Therefore, the issue of Housing costs for international students in Türkiye is of great interest to young Arabs arriving in the country.
A personal photo, A copy of your passport or ID, The required health report, The student's criminal record report and Student information certificate.
Istanbul Medipol University in Istanbul, Koç University in Istanbul and Bilkent University in Ankara.
Compare the available types before making a decision, Choose the housing that best suits your long-term needs, Priority is given to housing close to the university, especially in a large city, due to ease of transportation and Choose housing that suits your financial capabilities.
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