Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Sectorel Statistics Department / Construction Statistics Group
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) Necatibey Street No:114 06420 Ankara/Türkiye
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
26 August 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
26 August 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
26 August 2025
3.1. Data description
Construction Permit, is a certificate which shows permission of construction. It must be taken from municipalities, governorships, industrial zone directorate or free trade zone directorate (depending on the borders of the relevant administration) to the construction before starting the construction, according to Article 21 of Construction Law No.3194.
Occupancy Permit, is a certificate which shows the building is usable and there is no obstacles to the use of the building. It must be taken from municipalities, governorships, industrial zone directorate or free trade zone directorate (depending on the borders of the relevant administration) to the building after the construction is completed, according to Article 21 of Construction Law No.3194.
3.2. Classification system
Classification of Types of Construction (CC)
3.3. Coverage - sector
All buildings (CC1) are covered but civil engineering is not covered.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
List of variables: In Türkiye, building permits data include the variables of number of buildings, floor area of buildings and number of dwelling units. However, only construction permits variables which are floor area of buildings and number of dwelling units are sent to Eurostat.
3.5. Statistical unit
Reporting unit: Authorized administrations:
Municipalities,
Provincial Special Administrations,
Organized Industrial Zone Directorates,
Free Zone Directorates,
Provincial Directorates of Environment,
Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry,
Ministry of Industry and Technology and its Provincial Directorates
3.6. Statistical population
Building permits are compiled from permit certificates. All buildings that have been granted a permit certificate constitute the statistical population.
3.7. Reference area
Whole Türkiye is covered.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Construction Permits have been published since 1954 and occupancy permits have been published since 1964 in Türkiye. However, in the Central Dissemination System (MEDAS) and Eurostat database, the series are available starting from 1992. Earlier data exist only in printed publications.
3.9. Base period
Not relevant.
Number of dwelling units, square meters (m²) of useful floor area.
Quarter
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Legal basis: Data pertaining to building permits are obtained from authorized administrations. It is compulsory to fill Construction Permits and Occupancy Permits associated with National Data Address Base of Population Services (NDAB) Regulation from 25 April 2006 number 5490.
Obligation on units to provide data: Compulsory
Planned changes in legal basis, obligation to respond and frame used: Not available
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data on building permits, in addition to Eurostat, are also transmitted to OECD and UN.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
All statistics collected and published by TurkStat are governed by the Turkish Statistical Law no. 5429, of 10 November 2005. Under the terms of the Statistical Law:
TurkStat has the independence to determine the methodology and release dates of statistics for which it is responsible.
Data are collected only for statistical purposes and confidentiality is assured.
The confidentiality of individual responses is guaranteed.
The TurkStat logo is used on all statistics published under the law.
The public dissemination of economic statistics is required.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
At the end of each year, TurkStat publishes a release calendar providing the release dates for the coming year. This is also disseminated on TurkStat's internet website (Data release calendar).
Simultaneous release to all interested parties: The data are released to all interested parties by issuing the press release "Building Permits" on the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) website.
Identification of internal government access to data before release: There is no special application for this item.
Quarterly
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Building Permits are published with the press release “Building Permits” on the TurkStat website.
Series are transmitted to Eurostat at the same day after the publication of press release. The transmission is done via EDAMIS in the xml format by using SMDX converter.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Methodology and sources used in statistical compilation are disseminated on the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) website. Click on the "Metadata" tab in the data portal.
The quality policy of the statistics is based on the ESS Quality Standards.
11.1. Quality assurance
The quality of statistics is assessed according to five quality criteria: relevance, accuracy, timeliness and punctuality, accessibility and clarity, coherence and comparability. The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The quality of the data corresponds requirements of relevance, accuracy and reliability, timelines and punctuality, comparability and coherence.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The main users of statistical information are Eurostat, state institutions and agencies, international organisations, the media, research and business communities, students. The users' needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
The contents and level of detail of the indicator comply with EU requirements.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The data is entered by the authorized administrations on a web based computer software using National Address Database (NAD). With a regulation released by Ministry of Interior, it is forbidden to prepare forms without NAD system since 1 July 2007. At the beginning, TurkStat was responsible for preparation of the forms but at the end of 2009, the system is passed on Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality. After then TurkStat became a user of the system.
Data has been taken by direct access to the database.
Building Permits data is an administrative data, sampling method is not implemented and response rate is %100.
The press release indicates that the data are preliminary and are subject to revision. Every period, current year and previous two years are revised. Any major changes in methodology are announced at the time of the change and the data compiled using the revised methodology is released.
First results are consistent with the revised numbers. The Average Absolute Percent Revision is about 0.05 and this result is within the limits of confidence.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
After the data entry, the mechanical edits function and the erroneous parts are determined. If the error is a data entry error, it is corrected instantly; otherwise it is corrected after returning the authorized administrations and obtaining the correct data.
The data is changed after editing almost 2%.
14.1. Timeliness
Timeliness: Note that although data are collected monthly, they are published only quarterly, as a quarterly aggregate. Results are published 45 days after the end of the reference quarter (t+45).
Timetable of data collection: Data is taken from the Ministry of Interior on the first day of every month and data is analysed by Turkstat.
14.2. Punctuality
The press releases are published according to the announced release calendar.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistical information is comparable with EU countries.
15.2. Comparability - over time
V 411_number of dwellings variable and V412_square meters of useful floor area variable are available according to CC Classification and there are not any breaks in the series, the data is comparable over time.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Building permits data are not compared with other data sets.
15.4. Coherence - internal
The coverage of published data is coherent. The higher aggregates i.e. types of construction accordingto CC are consistent with their main sub-aggregates.
Building Permits are produced from an administrative source, so cost and burden are not relevant.
17.1. Data revision - policy
Every period, current year and previous 2 years are revised.
Revision policy
Our institutional revision policy is published under the Revisions part of the MetaInfo on TurkStat official website. Related links are given below:
non-scheduled revisions (error handling and information to users)
Revision calendar
For each statistics, information on revision publication date for routine and major revisions is published via revision information form on the Metadata section of the related statistics. For example; revision information form of Building Permits can be accessed from the link below:
Note: This revision policy is applied to the data both released nationally and transmitted to Eurostat.
"Non scheduled revisions" (errors) are announced at the time of the occurence of the errors.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Routine revision: The current year and the previous two years are revised due to the reduction of the canceled certificates and the addition of the certificates issued for the past. Since the certificate cannot be changed after approval, if an error is detected, this certificate is canceled and a new document is issued in its place for the past.
Revision in 2025 Due to the Expansion of Coverage:
While building permits previously covered only the certificates issued by municipalities, starting from the second quarter of 2025 the scope has been expanded to include the certificates issued by all authorized administrations. Since the series of other administrations are based on the establishment of the National Address Database, they are available from 2010 onwards. Therefore, past series have been revised back to 2010. The municipal series, however, have not been revised and continue as previously published. As the statistics are disseminated separately for “municipalities” and “other administrations”, the comparability of the municipal series has been preserved.
In summary, the revision made in the second quarter of 2025 includes:
The municipal series has not been revised. Although the press release presents the series starting from 2010, municipal data are available from 1992 onwards.
Since data of other administrations are available from 2010, the total series have been revised retrospectively starting from 2010.
For comparability purposes, data from 2010 onwards are available in the Central Dissemination System (MEDAS). Statistics related only to the building permits issued by municipalities before 2010 may be obtained by info request.
Revision Due to Seasonal Adjustment
While the routine revision described above is applied to raw (unadjusted) series, the seasonally and calendar adjusted series are revised for the current year and the previous three years.
Major revision
In the case of major revision, it will be announced to the public according to the “Instruction on Methods and Principles Regarding Revisions on Statistical Data Produced by Turkish Statistical Institute” within the scope of the Article 11-1, Article 11-2 and Article 11-3. The link of the instruction is given below:
No numeric information on the size of typical revisions exists.
Benchmarking method is not applied to this statistics.
18.1. Source data
Type of source: Data are collected from administrative sources. The forms are prepared by the authorized administrations by using the National Address Database which belongs to Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality.
Frame on which the source is based: Not relevant.
Sample or census: Census.
Criteria for stratification: Not relevant.
Threshold values and percentages: Not relevant.
Frequency of updating the sample: Not relevant.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected monthly.
18.3. Data collection
Administiretive records of Construction Permit Forms and Occupancy Permit Forms are used.
Data collection media: The data is entered by the authorized administrations on a web based computer software of National Address Database. The Ministry of Interior is responsible for National Address Database.
Data has been taken by direct access to the database.
18.4. Data validation
Appropriate validation procedures are applied during the whole production process, and they are in line with rules provided by Eurostat.
18.5. Data compilation
Estimates for non-response: Not available
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: Not available
Type of index: None
Method of weighting and chaining: None
Planned changes in production methods: Not available
Building Permits are prepared by the authorized administrations via National Address Database. Authorized administrations can prepare forms retrospectively. Therefore building permit statistics can change retrospectively because of this situation. No missing data is available. So it is not estimated.
18.6. Adjustment
As of the second quarter of 2025, seasonally and calendar adjusted series have been added to the press release. Detailed information regarding seasonal adjustment is provided below:
Method Used
The seasonal adjustment of Building Permits is carried out using TRAMO-SEATS methodology. The software that is used for the application of this method is JDemetra+ 2.2.2 developed by the National Bank of Belgium (NBB) in cooperation with the Deutsche Bundesbank and Eurostat in accordance with the Guidelines of the European Statistical System.
Process of the seasonal adjustment
Seasonal adjustment process of Building Permits begins at the end of each year with the identification of the models of next year. This specified model structure is kept fixed throughout the year to adjust seasonally and/or calendar effects. At the end of the year, just like the previous year, specification of econometric estimation models for the following year is done. The identified process repeats itself in a cyclical manner each year.
A substantial number of the subtitles of Building Permits contain seasonal and calendar effects.
Direct or indirect seasonal adjustment
Seasonally and calendar adjusted figures of Building Permits have been produced by indirect approach. Seasonally and calendar adjusted series of Building Permits are aggregated to derive seasonally adjusted subseries. The advantages of indirect approach are calculation of contributions to growth from components of main aggregates and retaining additivity.
Revision Policy
Seasonal adjustment procedure is subject to revisions over time because of the re-estimation of seasonal component as new observations are added. These revisions are implemented on the data of current year and the three years before the current year.
Publication
Adjusted data is published in 3 different ways.
“Calendar adjusted” data is derived from unadjusted data by removing calendar and holiday originated effects. Calendar adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the same month/period of the previous year.
“Seasonally adjusted” data is derived from unadjusted data by removing effects originating from seasonal effects. Seasonally adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the previous month/period.
If unadjusted data contains both calendar and holiday, and seasonal effects, “seasonally and calendar adjusted” data is derived by removing these effects. Seasonally and calendar adjusted data should be used in comparisons regarding the previous month/period.
Construction Permit, is a certificate which shows permission of construction. It must be taken from municipalities, governorships, industrial zone directorate or free trade zone directorate (depending on the borders of the relevant administration) to the construction before starting the construction, according to Article 21 of Construction Law No.3194.
Occupancy Permit, is a certificate which shows the building is usable and there is no obstacles to the use of the building. It must be taken from municipalities, governorships, industrial zone directorate or free trade zone directorate (depending on the borders of the relevant administration) to the building after the construction is completed, according to Article 21 of Construction Law No.3194.
26 August 2025
List of variables: In Türkiye, building permits data include the variables of number of buildings, floor area of buildings and number of dwelling units. However, only construction permits variables which are floor area of buildings and number of dwelling units are sent to Eurostat.
Reporting unit: Authorized administrations:
Municipalities,
Provincial Special Administrations,
Organized Industrial Zone Directorates,
Free Zone Directorates,
Provincial Directorates of Environment,
Urbanization and Climate Change Ministry,
Ministry of Industry and Technology and its Provincial Directorates
Building permits are compiled from permit certificates. All buildings that have been granted a permit certificate constitute the statistical population.
Whole Türkiye is covered.
Quarter
The data is entered by the authorized administrations on a web based computer software using National Address Database (NAD). With a regulation released by Ministry of Interior, it is forbidden to prepare forms without NAD system since 1 July 2007. At the beginning, TurkStat was responsible for preparation of the forms but at the end of 2009, the system is passed on Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality. After then TurkStat became a user of the system.
Data has been taken by direct access to the database.
Building Permits data is an administrative data, sampling method is not implemented and response rate is %100.
The press release indicates that the data are preliminary and are subject to revision. Every period, current year and previous two years are revised. Any major changes in methodology are announced at the time of the change and the data compiled using the revised methodology is released.
First results are consistent with the revised numbers. The Average Absolute Percent Revision is about 0.05 and this result is within the limits of confidence.
Number of dwelling units, square meters (m²) of useful floor area.
Estimates for non-response: Not available
Estimates for grossing-up to population levels: Not available
Type of index: None
Method of weighting and chaining: None
Planned changes in production methods: Not available
Building Permits are prepared by the authorized administrations via National Address Database. Authorized administrations can prepare forms retrospectively. Therefore building permit statistics can change retrospectively because of this situation. No missing data is available. So it is not estimated.
Type of source: Data are collected from administrative sources. The forms are prepared by the authorized administrations by using the National Address Database which belongs to Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality.
Frame on which the source is based: Not relevant.
Sample or census: Census.
Criteria for stratification: Not relevant.
Threshold values and percentages: Not relevant.
Frequency of updating the sample: Not relevant.
Quarterly
Timeliness: Note that although data are collected monthly, they are published only quarterly, as a quarterly aggregate. Results are published 45 days after the end of the reference quarter (t+45).
Timetable of data collection: Data is taken from the Ministry of Interior on the first day of every month and data is analysed by Turkstat.
Statistical information is comparable with EU countries.
V 411_number of dwellings variable and V412_square meters of useful floor area variable are available according to CC Classification and there are not any breaks in the series, the data is comparable over time.
