frequently asked questions

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions that we hope will answer some of your questions.

If you have other specific questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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1. What nationalities can buy property in Turkey?

2. Are there any limitations for a foreigner when it comes to buying a property?

3. Do I need a Residence Permit to purchase or rent a property in Turkey?

4. What kind of Visa do I need?

5. Is there anything special I need to check prior to purchasing a property?

6. How long does the buying process usually take?

7. Are there any extra taxes or fees on top of the purchase price?

8. Once I have found I a property I want to buy, how do we go ahead with the purchase?

9. How is the payment made?

10. What proof do I have that the purchase is complete?

11. Should I insure my property?

12. Can I sell my property and take the earnings out of  the country?

What nationalities can buy property in Turkey?

Turkey has a reciprocal agreement on property purchase with 87 countries, including all European countries.

Below is a list over some of the countries whose nationalities can buy property in Turkey. For a more complete list, please contact us.

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Are there any limitations for a foreigner when it comes to buying a property ?

Provided the property is in a city or a municipality and is not located close to a military zone, foreigners can buy property or land as they wish. Foreigners can now buy property/land in villages as well, something they could not do earlier. These houses in Turkish Villages are becoming more popular as they are located in beautiful areas.

However, before a foreigner can buy a property, the Military High Command of the area must give its approval, something that takes anything between 8 to 12 weeks.
 

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Do I need a Residence Permit to purchase or rent a property in Turkey?

No, a foreigner can buy a property without a Residence Permit. However, if you decide at a later date that you want to connect a phone or want to buy a car, then you will need a Residence Permit.

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What kind of Visa do I need?

An initial tourist visa can be obtained when you arrive at the airport or from a Turkish Consulate in your home country. An initial tourist visa  at the airport is valid between 1 -  3 months (depending on what country you are from) and costs about € 20. This allows you unlimited entry/exit within the allocated time period.

If you want extend your stay, you can do so by applying to the local Immigration Office in Manavgat or directly to the Head Office in Antalya. It is recommend that you start this application process well before your visa expires as it can take up to 2 weeks if you apply in Manavgat, but it usually takes only a couple of days if you apply in Antalya.

Alternatively you can leave the country and travel to a Greek island by boat for a day trip from Alanya. Your passport will then be stamped for another 3 months.

For more information about Visa requirements, please contact your local Turkish Consulate.

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Is there anything special I need to check prior to purchasing a property?

Yes, there are certain things that needs to be checked, and which we will do.

With the help of a solicitor we check the TAPU (Turkish for 'Title Deed') through the Land Registry Office, and make sure that :

1. the seller has the legal right to sell the property and that they actually have the TAPU

2. the property is legally available for sale

3. the property is within an area available for foreign purchase

4. there are no outstanding rental, lease agreements or mortgages on the property

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How long does the buying process usually take ?

The actual signing of the contract at the Solicitor, obtaining Power of Attorney and completing all the purchase documents can be done within a couple of hours of seeing the property that you wish to purchase. However, the completed documents must then be sent to the Land Registration Office in Izmir, where the Military High Command of the area will check that the property is not in or close to a military zone. This process usually takes anything between 8-12 weeks.

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Are there any extra taxes or fees on top of the purchase price?

Yes. In addition to the quoted price there are certain costs involved. They are as follows :

• Compulsory property tax (3% of the registered property value). One off tax to be paid when the TAPU is received.

• Solicitor’s fee starts from € 250 and it covers a meeting with him, the preparation and signing of contracts and his services throughout the purchase process.

• Notarus Publicus Charge  (about € 150) for giving us the Power of Attorney to handle the documents relating to the property in your absence.

• A 3% agency fee covering all our expenses associated with the purchase. To be paid together with the deposit.

• Compulsory earthquake insurance (we also recommend a full home and content insurance)

• Compulsory earthquake tax.

• Utility connection.

This a rough estimate of the costs involved when buying a € 50 000 property.

Once you have received the TAPU there are some annual costs involved as well. We estimate them as follows :

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Once I have found a property I want to buy, how do we go ahead with the purchase?

You will need your passport and 8 passport photographs.

Once you have found a property you want to buy, an initial deposit of 10 - 20 % of the property price is required (the exact figure will be decided by the property owner at the time of the purchase). This can be paid either by cash or by credit card, personal cheques are not accepted by banks in Turkey. You will then receive a receipt for the amount paid and it will be deducted from the total property price.

We will then accompany you to a Solicitor who will prepare the purchase contract, from where we will go to the Notarus Publicus office where he will verify a document giving us the Power of Attorney for the property, which enables us to obtain the TAPU in your absence. To finish off the initial stage, we return back to the Solicitor where a sales contract, showing the property address and payment details, will be signed by you (the buyer) and us.

You will receive the original contract, copy of the Power of Attorney and a letter from us confirming all the details to take back to your home with you. This completes the initial stage and you do not need to be present for any more of the purchase transaction.

The following  day we will send the signed purchase documents to the Land Registration Office in Izmir where the TAPU will be checked, reissued in the new owners name and forwarded to the local Land Registration Office, who in turn will contact us.

We will keep in touch with you by email or by phone throughout this process, and keep you regularly updated.

When we receive word from the local Land Registration Office that your TAPU is ready, we will contact you by telephone or by email. You are then required to pay the remaining balance. When we receive that final payment we will sign for, and collect, your TAPU from the Land Registration Office. It will then be held at our office pending your next visit so you can collect it.

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How is the payment made?

An initial deposit of 10-20% of the agreed purchase price is required in order for the purchase to go ahead. If you are not able to pay this amount by cash or by credit card during your stay in Turkey, an option will be given where the property will be put on 'hold' for a limited time, pending the receipt of the remaining deposit upon your arrival at your home country. The remaining deposit can be sent by 'money order' from Money Gram by Western Union, Thomas Cook or by an emergency bank transfer from your local bank (this usually takes between 3-5 days).

Upon the arrival of the TAPU from the main Land Registration Office in Izmir, the remaining balance can be transferred to our bank account by your local bank.

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What proof do I have that the purchase is complete?

The TAPU certifies that the property is in your name and is your proof that the purchase is completed.

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Should I insure my property?

Earthquake insurance is compulsory but inexpensive.

We recommend that you take out a multi-risk policy household insurance as well.

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Can I sell my property and take the earnings out of the country?

Yes.

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Dr. Zahide Banihashem,

MBA

phone

+47 908 55 786

+90 (0)537 316 4069

+90 (0)242 753 4082

email

info@anatoliaeiendom.com