The law allowing the sale of property to foreigners was temporarily suspended in April 2008.  Following ratification and signing by the Turkish Government on 4th July and approval by the President and publication in the Offical Gazzette on 14th July, Turkish Authorities have confirmed that foreign nationals will now be able to buy property in Turkey in line with the new act.

• A decree is now being passed to local deeds offices.

Background Detail

• In real terms foreigners can only own up to a maximum of 2.5 hectares (25,000 m2) of land and property. Upon application the Council of Ministers may use its discretion to increase this threshold to a maximum of 30 hectares (300,000m2) providing this figure does not exceed a total of 0.5% of the land area of the province in question.
• Foreign nationals and foreign commercial companies are not allowed to buy property in  strategic military and security zones in Turkey.
• Please note that to purchase real estate/land in Turkey, conditions of reciprocity, complying with legal restrictions apply. In implementation of the reciprocity principles, it is essential that real estate acquisition rights given by a foreign country to its own citizens and to commercial companies established in foreign countries, according to the laws of these countries are also given to the citizens and commercial companies of the Republic of Turkey. As detailed in the Turkish Embassy website, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkey have full reciprocity regarding real estate acquisition.
• Please access the Turkish Embassy website for more information.

Buying property guidance to purchase property in Turkey

• DO NOT PURCHASE PROPERTY WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING AN ENGLISH SPEAKING TURKISH LAWYER FOR BEST ADVICE.
• Please access the Turkish Attorney's Paralegal website at online Tapu
• Applications should be made to the District Land Registry office (Tapu ve Kadastro Mudurlugu), when a suitable property for purchase is found.
• A change in Turkish legislation in July 2003 permitted foreigners to buy a property outside the boundaries of a municipality, i.e. council district (Belediye) and within a village or rural area. However, it is still necessary to obtain permission from the Military, prior to purchase.
• The property can be paid for in either Turkish lira or foreign currency. There are also no restrictions about the transfer of foreign currency or Turkish Lira from a Turkish or foreign bank.

Note: Turkey and the UK have a bilateral agreement to avoid double taxation. Sales/Purchase tax of the property in Turkey is payable to the Turkish tax authorities as the relevant law requires.