Legal Assistance with Real Estate Transactions in Turkey

Purchasing property from a developer requires an assessment not only of the property itself, but also of the legal risks associated with the company and the project.

Depending on the circumstances of the transaction, a lawyer may review corporate information concerning the developer, available permits and approvals, information regarding court proceedings, documents relating to the legal status of the building, and the terms of the proposed contracts.

Yes. A foreign national does not need to obtain a residence permit before purchasing property in Turkey.

However, purchasing property does not automatically grant a residence permit. Eligibility for a residence permit depends on the applicable legislation and the circumstances of the individual applicant.

The scope of legal assistance depends on the property, transaction structure and the client's objectives.

Services may include legal due diligence of the property, review of documents relating to the seller or developer, preparation and review of contracts, assistance with the transaction and registration procedures, advice on taxation matters, and legal assistance concerning residence permits and Turkish citizenship.

The required documents depend on the buyer's status and the circumstances of the transaction. Generally, a valid passport, Turkish tax identification number, documents required for banking and registration procedures, and a duly executed power of attorney may be required if the buyer is represented by an attorney.

Depending on the requirements of the relevant authority or procedure, additional documents may also be required, including a notarized Turkish translation of the passport.

The payment structure should be determined in accordance with the transaction structure, banking requirements and applicable foreign exchange regulations. A lawyer can review the contractual payment provisions and help determine a legally appropriate procedure for making and documenting payments.

Where required by applicable regulations, additional banking documents relating to foreign currency exchange and the transaction may be necessary.

As a general rule, an ordinary real estate lease agreement in Turkey does not require notarization solely because of its duration.

However, in certain circumstances, notarization or specific contractual requirements may be relevant depending on the parties' objectives and the nature of the particular procedure.

The firm's main office is located in Istanbul. Depending on the nature of the legal matter, we may provide assistance with real estate transactions and related matters in various regions of Turkey, including Istanbul, Antalya, Alanya, Bodrum, Izmir, Marmaris and Ankara.

The possibility of handling a matter remotely is determined based on the location of the property and the registration or procedural actions required.

In many cases, certain steps of a real estate transaction can be completed without the client's personal presence in Turkey through a duly executed power of attorney.

Whether a particular transaction can be completed entirely remotely depends on its structure and the registration procedures involved.

Subject to the requirements of applicable legislation, investment in real estate may be used as a basis for applying for Turkish citizenship.

The applicable investment requirements, characteristics of the property, transaction structure and other relevant conditions must be carefully considered. Purchasing property alone does not automatically result in Turkish citizenship.

Yes. It is strongly recommended to consult a lawyer before transferring funds or signing preliminary agreements. This can help identify potential encumbrances, verify the seller's authority and ensure that the conditions governing the return of the deposit are properly documented if material legal risks are identified.