Real Estate and Citizenship Acquisition
2019-10-10 13:10:56
Acquisition of real estate titles in Turkey is approved only through registration at the land registry offices.
What Foreigners Who Want to Buy Real Estate in Turkey Need to Know
- Acquisition of real estate titles in Turkey is only approved through registration at the land registry offices.
- Real estate pre-contracts issued by notaries or made in writing with real persons do not constitute the transfer of real estate by themselves. Preliminary contracts only serve as a commitment regarding the transfer of ownership and the said real estate does not change hands through such documents.
- There may be obligations such as mortgages, foreclosures and similar types of encumbrances on the real estate in question, which may prevent the sale, and these must be checked before the proceedings are initiated at the relevant land registry office.
- Inquiries regarding immovables can be made online at the address parcelsorgu.tkgm.gov.tr, and the city, district, neighborhood/village, map and parcel information can be used here to query the immovable. Thus, basic information about real estate, including its current status, can be accessed online from anywhere in the world. However, the owner's personal information cannot be accessed.
- Foreign nationals are not required to have a residence permit as a prerequisite for acquiring real estate in Turkey. In addition, foreigners who buy real estate in Turkey are granted a renewable short-term residence permit in accordance with the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458.
- A real or legal person who intends to acquire real estate in Turkey should apply to the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre together with the owner of the real estate. In addition, they can make an appointment without having to personally visit the directorate's offices by calling the Alo 181 Call Center, which provides service 24 hours a day, or by visiting the address.tkgm.gov.tr.
- On the other hand, Turkish companies with foreign capital must first make an application to the Provincial Planning and Coordination Directorate (IPKM) in the governorship where the real estate is located. After a positive response from IPKM, the Land Registry Directorate should be applied. These companies can apply in person, by post or email.
