Earthquake Safety: What to Check Before Buying a Building in Antalya

Türkiye is a seismically active country, and it is sensible for any buyer to think about earthquake safety. The good news is that you can reduce the risk a great deal by choosing the right building and asking the right questions. This guide explains what to check, whatever area of Antalya you are buying in.

Antalya and earthquakes

The Antalya region is affected by several fault systems on land and by offshore sources in the Mediterranean. Like most of Türkiye it has experienced earthquakes in the past, and the level of hazard varies from place to place and with the ground conditions. There is no single answer for the whole province: what matters most for you is the specific building and the ground it stands on.

Why the building's age matters

Türkiye's building codes have been strengthened several times. Two milestones are worth knowing:

• Around 2000: a building inspection system was introduced, requiring licensed inspection companies to supervise construction.
• 2019: the current earthquake building regulation (published in 2018) came into force, with modern design rules.

As a rough guide, newer buildings built and inspected under these systems are likely to meet higher standards than older ones. Age is not a guarantee, though: good workmanship and proper supervision matter just as much.

Documents to ask for

• Building permit and habitation certificate (iskan). They show the building was approved and completed as permitted. Our title deed guide explains why iskan matters.
• Building inspection records. For newer buildings, ask which inspection company supervised the construction.
• Ground survey. A soil investigation report is normally prepared for new buildings. Ask whether it is available.
• Risky building status. Ask whether the building has ever been assessed or declared "risky" under the urban transformation rules.

What to look at during a viewing

• Cracks in structural elements such as columns and beams, rather than in plaster.
• Removed or altered columns and walls, especially in ground-floor shops, where structural elements are sometimes cut to open up space.
• Signs of damp or exposed, rusting reinforcement in the basement or on balconies.
• Soft storeys: open ground floors with few walls, used for parking or shops.

Get an expert opinion

For an older building, or if anything worries you, hire an independent civil engineer to assess the structure before you commit. It costs little compared with the price of a home.

Insurance

Earthquake insurance (DASK) is compulsory for residential buildings and must be renewed every year. You can also add broader home insurance. See our guide to the yearly costs of owning a home.

Rules and fees in Türkiye change from time to time. This article reflects the situation as of September 2026 and is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm the details for your own case with a licensed lawyer or accountant.

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