Turkey: Real Estate

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources defines wind turbines as the primary structural element of wind power plants, describing them as machines that convert the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical and subsequently electrical energy.

With the Regulation Amending the Regulation on Real Estate Trade, which was published in the Official Gazette dated 29 April 2026 and numbered 33238, the use of the secure payment system in real estate sale transactions had been made mandatory as of 1 July 2026. However, with the Regulation Amending the Regulation on Real Estate Trade, published in the Official Gazette dated 1 October 2026 and numbered 33387, the date for the mandatory implementation of the secure payment system was postponed to 1 December 2026.

29 Nisan 2026 tarihli ve 33238 sayılı Resmi Gazete’de yayımlanarak yürürlüğe giren Taşınmaz Ticareti Hakkında Yönetmelikte Değişiklik Yapılmasına Dair Yönetmelik ile gayrimenkul alım satım işlemlerinde güvenli ödeme sisteminin kullanımı 1 Temmuz 2026 tarihi itibarıyla zorunlu kılınmıştı.

Navigating inheritance law in Turkey can be complex for foreign nationals and international families dealing with cross-border estates. Understanding the legal requirements for inheriting property, bank accounts, and other assets in Turkey—including inheritance certificates, tax obligations, and recognition of foreign wills—is essential for protecting your family's rights and ensuring a smooth transfer of assets.

This article considers the principal legal issues affecting foreign buyers and sellers of Turkish real estate. It examines acquisition eligibility, title and encumbrance checks, security restrictions, undeveloped land, formal transfer requirements, off-plan purchases, taxes and powers of attorney. The discussion also distinguishes ownership from residence permission and citizenship eligibility, and considers the Court of Cassation authorities cited in the text. The analysis treats due diligence as an assessment of the proposed buyer, the property and its intended use. Its purpose is to connect the commercial expectations of the transaction with the ownership, use and exit position supported by the documents.

Turkey's Citizenship by Investment Program offers foreign nationals a pathway to Turkish citizenship through qualifying real estate investments of at least USD 400,000. Understanding the legal requirements, property eligibility criteria, and application procedures is crucial for investors seeking to navigate this process successfully while avoiding common pitfalls that could delay or jeopardize their citizenship application.

Lease agreements are a type of contract in which the mutual obligations of the parties are significantly regulated by law. However, particularly in residential and commercial property leases, it is observed in practice that the parties enter into various contractual arrangements that go beyond the obligations provided for in the Turkish Code of Obligations (“TBK”).

Foreign investors seeking Turkish citizenship through real estate must navigate both property law and immigration requirements. Understanding the USD 400,000 minimum investment threshold, eligible property types, payment documentation requirements, and the three-year holding restriction is essential before committing capital to a qualifying transaction.

Buying property in Turkey as a foreign purchaser is generally straightforward, although the legal risks usually arise before the transfer of the title deed, known in Turkish as the tapu. The title deed appointment should therefore not be treated as the beginning of the transaction. Before a substantial deposit is paid, the purchaser should confirm eligibility to acquire the property, verify that the seller is the registered owner, examine the title for restrictions and check the municipality records to establish that the physical property corresponds with the legally approved project.