The YeS-TR Certificate can apply to both new and existing buildings in Türkiye, as well as qualifying settlements. In practice, the YeS-TR Certificate covers residential, office, education, hospitality, healthcare, commercial, cultural, infrastructure, and data-center projects.
The key question is not whether a project belongs to one narrow property class. Instead, ask whether the building or settlement can meet Türkiye’s national green building criteria. The current YeS-TR regulation covers both existing and new buildings and settlements. It evaluates sustainable environmental, social, and economic performance.
For developers, designers, contractors, owners, and public authorities, this broad scope creates a clear national route for documenting sustainability performance.
Which Structures Can Obtain the YeS-TR Certificate?
YeS-TR divides building applications into two main pathways: new buildings and existing buildings. The current building evaluation guide then applies defined typologies to both pathways.
A residential project can therefore pursue certification as a new development or as an operating asset. Similarly, the same principle applies to offices, schools, hotels, hospitals, shopping facilities, and many other uses.
The guide identifies the following building categories:
| Building category | Typical suitable structures | New building | Existing building |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Detached houses, apartment buildings, residences | Yes | Yes |
| Office | Offices, public administration buildings, business centers, plazas, R&D buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Education | Schools, higher education buildings, campuses, training facilities | Yes | Yes |
| Hospitality | Hotels, motels, holiday villages, pensions, apart hotels, hostels | Yes | Yes |
| Healthcare | Hospitals, family health centers, clinics, dental centers, rehabilitation facilities | Yes | Yes |
| Shopping and commercial | Shops, restaurants, shopping centers, parking structures, banks, finance buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Other | Museums, libraries, congress centers, sports facilities, dormitories, care facilities, transport infrastructure, data centers | Yes | Yes |
The official guide applies all seven categories to both new and existing building pathways.
This range makes the YeS-TR Certificate relevant to many property types across Türkiye. Moreover, it lets owners compare sustainability objectives through a consistent national assessment method.
Can Existing Buildings Obtain a YeS-TR Certificate?
Yes. Existing buildings can pursue YeS-TR certification when they meet the applicable assessment requirements.
The current building guide defines an existing building by its occupancy permit date. The permit must have been issued at least two years before the YeS-TR application. This distinction matters because credits and evidence requirements can differ between new and existing buildings.
For an operating asset, the assessment can examine measured performance and management practices. Key topics include indoor conditions, energy, water, materials, and waste. Therefore, owners should collect reliable operational data early.
A pre-assessment can show which credits are already achievable. It can also reveal where design, operational, or documentation improvements are needed.
Are Residential and Commercial Projects Suitable?
Yes. Residential and commercial projects are both clearly within the YeS-TR building typologies.
Residential eligibility includes detached homes, apartment buildings, and residence-type developments. Commercial eligibility extends to offices, business centers, plazas, retail buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, banks, and similar service properties.
Mixed-use developments need closer scoping. First, the project team should define the certification boundary, functions, shared systems, and evidence strategy. Early scope decisions reduce documentation gaps later.
ERKE’s Green Building Consultancy can support project teams with certification scope, sustainability targets, technical analyses, and documentation planning.
Are Public Buildings Suitable for YeS-TR?
Public buildings are not only suitable. Some new public projects now face a specific certification requirement.
From 1 January 2026, new public buildings above 10,000 m² total construction area must obtain a Green Certificate. The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has also published a dedicated public-building YeS-TR implementation guide.
Consequently, early coordination is important for large government offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and other public investments. Teams should integrate certification targets into design decisions. They should not treat YeS-TR as final-stage paperwork.
The 2 December 2025 regulatory amendment also updated the regulatory framework and associated evaluation guidance. Project teams should always use current criteria and authorized professionals.
What Does YeS-TR Evaluate in a Suitable Building?
Eligibility is only the first step. A suitable building must still satisfy mandatory criteria and earn enough weighted credits for certification.
The assessment covers six core areas. These are integrated building design and management, indoor environmental quality, materials and life cycle, energy efficiency, water and waste, and innovation.
These areas connect certification to real project decisions. For example, energy modeling, water reduction, low-impact materials, indoor air quality, commissioning, waste planning, and performance monitoring can influence the strategy.
The regulation identifies the Türkiye Environment Agency as the evaluation body. Meanwhile, authorized Yeşil Sertifika Uzmanları (YESU) prepare project information and supporting evidence for the YeS-TR process.
For new projects, the strongest approach starts during concept design. For existing assets, begin with data review and a gap analysis. In both cases, early decisions usually provide more options and reduce costly redesign.
Can Campuses and Multi-Building Developments Be Certified?
Yes. YeS-TR also includes a settlement pathway.
The regulation defines a settlement as an area with more than one building within a zoning parcel or larger area. Therefore, campuses, large mixed-use developments, and multi-building masterplans may need a settlement-level review.
However, the correct route depends on project boundaries, ownership, shared infrastructure, and the intended certification scope. A YeS-TR specialist should confirm the route before the team starts preparing evidence.
Conclusion: Which Projects Are the Best Fit?
The YeS-TR Certificate is suitable for a wide spectrum of buildings in Türkiye. New and existing residential, office, education, hotel, healthcare, retail, cultural, infrastructure, and data-center projects can fit the building framework.
The strongest candidates document sustainability decisions clearly and manage measurable performance. Key areas include energy, water, materials, indoor environmental quality, waste, and building operations.
A structured pre-assessment is therefore the most efficient starting point. It clarifies the right project pathway, identifies high-value credits, and exposes technical or documentation gaps early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which buildings are eligible for the YeS-TR Certificate?
Both new and existing buildings can be eligible. Official typologies cover residential, office, education, hotel, healthcare, shopping, and commercial buildings. The “other” category also covers many social, cultural, infrastructure, and data-center uses.
Is the YeS-TR Certificate only for new construction?
No. YeS-TR has separate assessment pathways for new and existing buildings. Existing assets can pursue certification when they meet the relevant criteria and provide the required evidence.
Is YeS-TR mandatory for every building in Türkiye?
No. The general YeS-TR framework remains voluntary. However, new public buildings above 10,000 m² total construction area face a specific requirement from 1 January 2026.
Can a mixed-use development apply for YeS-TR?
Yes. However, the project team should define the certification boundary carefully. Depending on the development structure, a building-level or settlement-level pathway may be more appropriate.
How should a project start the YeS-TR process?
Start with a scope and gap assessment. Confirm the new-building, existing-building, or settlement pathway. Then map mandatory criteria, target credits, technical studies, and required evidence.
If you are evaluating whether your project is suitable for the YeS-TR Certificate, ERKE can help define the right pathway and practical compliance strategy. Contact ERKE to discuss your project and begin a YeS-TR pre-assessment.
