Update To Turkish Real Estate Law

This article examines the permit and compliance framework for short-term tourism rentals of residential property in Turkey. It considers the scope of the rental regime, the eligible permit holder, apartment-owner consent, property standards, management arrangements, guest registration, sanctions and changes of ownership.

This article examines the statutory restrictions affecting foreign acquisition of immovable property in Türkiye. It distinguishes foreign natural persons, overseas companies and Turkish companies with foreign capital, and considers nationality conditions, quantitative limits, military and security areas, project obligations and liquidation risks.

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.

The MGC Legal team has meticulously prepared the article "What is Web Tapu?" for our valued readers. We recommend that you read the following article to learn more information.

A 2026 guide to Turkish inheritance law for foreign heirs, covering applicable law, proof of heirship, inherited real estate, tax filing and key deadlines.

The Law No. 7464 on the Rental of Residential Properties for Tourism Purposes and Amendments to Certain Laws1 provided the short-term rental of residential properties for tourism purposes in Türkiye with a legal framework.

Turkey introduces a mandatory Secure Payment System for real estate transactions, requiring sale prices to be held in blocked bank accounts until title transfer is complete. The system aims to eliminate risks of cash handling, counterfeit money, and under-declared prices while ensuring simultaneous exchange of property title and payment. Implementation has been postponed to December 1, 2026, pending completion of technical infrastructure between land registry authorities and banking institutions.

This article examines the legal preparation required for a Turkish citizenship application based on real estate investment. It considers the qualifying acquisition, valuation, payment evidence, registry restrictions, contractual safeguards, family documentation and the continuing obligations associated with the transaction.

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.

Foreign nationals can acquire property in Turkey, but the transaction requires careful legal assessment beyond commercial considerations. Title restrictions, construction irregularities, ownership disputes and payment documentation issues can materially affect the investment, particularly when the acquisition is connected with citizenship eligibility or completed through representatives.