1-Is it legally possible for foreign citizens to acquire real estate in Turkey?

Along with the recent legal regulations, the practice of requiring reciprocity in the acquisition of real estate by natural persons of foreign nationality in our country has been abolished. Therefore, it is legally possible for foreigners to acquire real estate except for the limitations set out below.

2-Are there legal restrictions on the acquisition of real estate by foreigners?

* Foreigners may purchase real estate to use as a workplace or residence in Turkey, provided that they comply with legal restrictions. But the total area of real estate that a foreign person can buy in Turkey, albeit in different cities, cannot exceed 30 hectares.

* Again, foreigners cannot buy real estate located in military security zones. Prior to the purchase of real estate, it is also necessary to obtain permission from the military authorities in the region.

3-How should sales transactions be carried out?

In accordance with the legal legislation in Turkey, official contracts aimed at the transfer of real estate ownership must necessarily be concluded in the Land Registry Offices where the real estate is located. Real estate sales that are not made in land registry offices are not legally valid.

In addition, it is also possible to sign a “sales promise agreement” in the presence of a notary before the official sale. There is no legal validity of sales promise agreements that cannot be made at a notary.

4-Is it mandatory to have a lawyer in real estate purchase transactions?

According to the legal legislation in Turkey, foreigners are not required to follow up with a lawyer in real estate sales transactions. However, because foreign citizens do not know the legal legislation in Turkey, it is important that they follow up the transactions they will make through a lawyer in order to avoid any loss of rights.

5-How are the legal problems encountered in real estate purchase transactions resolved?

In legal disputes that may arise both from a foreign citizen who will receive the real estate and from a person who will sell the real estate, lawsuits should be filed in Turkish courts. It is not legally possible for the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its foreign representatives to interfere in the judicial process. It is important that the process is followed by a lawyer in order not to lose rights in a legal sense in relation to the issue.

SD Law Firm, located in Antalya, is a dynamic law firm that provides a wide range of legal services to foreign clients, including buying real estate applications in many regions of Turkey. 
If you want to buy a property in Turkey, it is recommended that you seek legal advice on this matter.