Even if they are not Turkish citizens, foreigners can purchase real estate in Turkey. However, there are certain conditions that must be met for this purchase to take place. Relevant provisions on the subject are included in Article 35 of the Title Deed Law No. 2644. According to the regulations related to the subject, the conditions for the purchase are as follows:
1- For foreign nationals eligible to purchase real estate, if the buyer is a natural person, the nationality of the foreigner must be from one of the countries authorized by the President.
2- The total area of the real estate to be purchased cannot exceed 10% of the district where the property is located.
3- Foreigners are not allowed to buy or lease properties in Turkey’s military and security zones.
4- Legal entities (except commercial companies) cannot invest in real estate in Turkey.
The right of natural persons to purchase real estate in Turkey is limited to 30 hectares per person. However, this limit can be extended up to 60 hectares in cases permitted by the President. Additionally, the President has the authority to restrict or completely ban these limits. Any purchase or sale transaction that violates these limits is invalid.
If a foreigner who wants to purchase real estate in Turkey is residing in the country, they cannot apply for a housing loan when buying a property. To apply for a loan, the foreigner must personally go to the bank and submit the application.
In case of any problems arising from the real estate transaction, the foreigner must resolve the issue in Turkish courts. For effective representation and to avoid loss of rights, it is extremely important to grant power of attorney to a lawyer registered with the Turkish Bar Association to follow up on the matter.
Required Documents for Foreigners to Purchase Real Estate
1- An appraisal report prepared by a real estate company licensed by the Capital Markets Board (SPK) within the last 3 months.
2- Title deed of the property.
3- Passport-sized photographs of the seller and buyer.
4- If one of the parties does not speak Turkish, a sworn translator and two witnesses are required.
5- A document proving that the compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) has been obtained.
6- Passport of the foreigner purchasing the property.
7- Current market value certificate obtained from the municipality where the property is located.
An application must be submitted to the Land Registry Offices along with the above documents.
Citizenship Application Through Purchased Property
Foreigners who purchase a house in Turkey can apply for citizenship by showing the property they bought, provided that the value of the property exceeds 250,000 US dollars according to the latest effective exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey.
For this purpose, the value of the property is determined before the purchase, and an application is made to the immigration office to obtain a certificate of eligibility. After obtaining the required eligibility certificate, the sale and purchase transaction is completed.
For the citizenship application, the foreigner must apply to the Population Directorate with the eligibility certificate obtained from the purchased property.
According to the provisions of Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreigners who invest within the Republic of Turkey and whose investments exceed certain scopes and amounts, as well as their family members listed in the law, can apply for Turkish citizenship through an exceptional procedure.
Additionally, foreigners who wish to obtain Turkish citizenship can also apply by purchasing multiple properties in accordance with the relevant regulations.
The condition here is that the total value of the properties must be at least 250,000 US dollars.ANTALYA REAL ESTATE LAWYER – ANTALYA FOREIGN LAWYER
As can be seen, foreign nationals can purchase real estate from the Republic of Turkey. Disputes arising from real estate and exceptional citizenship applications based on real estate are very sensitive matters to ensure that individuals do not lose their rights. Therefore, it is essential to have follow-up and assistance from a lawyer registered with the bar association regarding these matters.
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