Buying Property in Turkey: A Practical Checklist for Foreign Buyers

Define the property and the purpose

Write a short buying brief before comparing advertisements. State your preferred area, maximum total budget, number of bedrooms, accessibility needs and expected use. A permanent home, an occasional holiday apartment and a property intended for letting can require very different decisions. Keep purchase price separate from money reserved for professional services, insurance, furnishings and maintenance.

For each shortlist entry, save the reference number, page link, asking-price currency and the date the price was confirmed. Ask whether the offer concerns one completed unit, a development with several options or a property still under construction. A project brochure is not confirmation that every advertised layout remains available.

Check eligibility before committing funds

The official Invest in Türkiye guide describes foreign acquisition as subject to nationality and legal restrictions. Confirm your own eligibility and the specific property with the relevant Land Registry office before making a commitment. Do not infer approval from another buyer’s experience or from an advertisement aimed at international customers.

Treat ownership, residence permission and citizenship as separate questions. A property salesperson should not replace the authority responsible for your immigration case. If your purchase depends on a particular immigration outcome, ask a qualified adviser to verify that requirement for your circumstances before choosing a property.

Match the listing to the records

Ask your independent adviser to connect the address, seller, registered property and the unit you inspected. Request a review of ownership, rights affecting the property, the intended use and the documents relevant to the building. Specify any uncertainty in writing: an extension, a roof terrace, a parking space or a shared pool should not be assumed to belong to the buyer simply because it appears in a photograph.

Arrange a physical inspection that covers water pressure, drainage, ventilation, electrical condition, visible damp, doors and windows. For construction or structural concerns, use a suitably qualified professional. A freshly decorated interior and an insurance policy do not replace a technical inspection.

Agree the complete transaction and handover

Ask for a written cost schedule tailored to the property and buyer. Confirm payment currency, bank steps, deadlines, translation arrangements, professional fees and who is responsible for each item. The official acquisition guide directs applicants to the Land Registry and its appointment channels; your adviser should confirm the current procedure for the transaction.

Make a handover inventory with dated photographs, meter readings, keys, appliances, furniture and any agreed repairs. Record the practical arrangements for utilities and building management. Before paying a reservation amount, understand the written conditions governing cancellation and any refund. A clear process is more useful than a promise that buying is always quick or uncomplicated.

Official sources

• Invest in Türkiye: Acquiring Property and Citizenship
• General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre

Explore your next property

Ask about a specific property using its reference number or discuss your budget and preferred area.