Legal Guides & Insights
Turkish law for foreigners: what the rules actually say
We wrote these because the same questions kept arriving by email. Each one covers work we run every week — citizenship files, tapu transfers, work permits, tenfiz cases — with the deadlines, the documents and the parts that usually go wrong. General information only. Not advice on your file.
Legal Guides
The reading room
Plain-English guides to Turkish law, written for foreigners, expats and investors by the attorneys who handle these matters daily.
- 01 Turkish citizenship by real-estate investment
- 02 Buying property in Istanbul as a foreigner
- 03 Residence permits, from first application to long-term status
- 04 Establishing a limited company in Türkiye
- 05 Divorce proceedings for foreign nationals
- 06 Enforcing a foreign judgment in Turkish courts
- 07 Criminal investigations: the rights of foreign suspects
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Browse by area: Turkish Citizenship by Investment · Corporate & Commercial Law · Immigration & Residence Permits · Tax & Wealth Structuring · Criminal Defense & White-Collar · Asset Protection & Estate Planning · Litigation & Arbitration · Real Estate & Property Law · IP, Technology & Data Protection · Family Law for Expats · Maritime & Admiralty Law · Divorce Law in Turkey · Malpractice Law · Criminal Law: Fraud · Real Estate Litigation
75 guides
Enforcing UK High Court Judgments in Turkey: 2026 Commercial Guide
How English High Court money judgments, commercial orders, and debt decrees are enforced in Turkey under MÖHUK 5718 and de facto reciprocity.
Read guide Real Estate & PropertyBritish Expat Property Inheritance in Fethiye & Bodrum (2026 Guide)
How British families and UK heirs navigate inheritance of Turkish villas, apartments, and land in Fethiye, Bodrum, Kalkan, and Antalya.
Read guide Family & DivorceGerman-Turkish Matrimonial Property Division (2026 Legal Guide)
How German Zugewinnausgleich (§ 1363 BGB) and Turkish Edinilmiş Mallara Katılma (TMK 218) interact in cross-border divorces.
Read guide
Reciprocity in Turkey: Enforcing a Foreign Judgment
MÖHUK Article 54(a) blocks enforcement without reciprocity but never applies to recognition. Which countries qualify, and what to do if yours does not.
15 Aug 2026UK Divorce, Turkish Property: What Happens to the House
An English financial order will not move a Turkish title deed. What to file in Turkey, in what order, and what the house claim is really worth.
13 Aug 2026British Citizen Inheritance in Turkey: Property, Wills, Tapu
Why an English will cannot control your Turkish flat, who the forced heirs are, and how to get the tapu transferred, taxed and closed.
13 Aug 2026
How to Enforce a German Judgment in Turkey: 2026 Guide
A German judgment is not enforceable in Turkey until a Turkish court grants tenfiz. The documents Germany must issue, the refusal grounds, the timeline.
11 Aug 2026
Retiring to Turkey from the UK: Residence Permit and Tax
How UK retirees get a Turkish residence permit under Law 6458: income proof, health insurance, address rules, the 8-year route and pension tax.
11 Aug 2026
Enforcing an English Court Judgment in Turkey: UK Guide
How British claimants enforce an English judgment in Turkey: de facto reciprocity, sealed order, certificate of finality, apostille, court, timing and cost.
07 Aug 2026
Mavi Kart (Blue Card) Turkey: Your Rights After Citizenship
What the Mavi Kart (Blue Card) gives former Turkish citizens: property, inheritance, work. What it does not: the vote, a passport, public office.
07 Aug 2026
Getting Married in Turkey as a Foreigner: 2026 Guide
Getting married in Turkey as a foreigner in 2026: required documents, capacity certificate, health report, ceremony rules and residence
29 Jul 2026
Entry Ban & Deportation in Turkey: 2026 Appeal Guide
Facing an entry ban or deportation in Turkey? Learn how to appeal, lift tahdit codes, and protect your status. Istanbul immigration law
26 Jul 2026
Franchise & Distributorship Law in Turkey: 2026 Guide
How franchise and distributorship agreements work in Turkey in 2026: legal framework, goodwill compensation and competition rules for f
24 Jul 2026
Detained at Istanbul Airport: Your Legal Rights in 2026
Detained at Istanbul Airport? Learn your rights on entry bans, tahdit codes, deportation and Interpol alerts under Turkish law. Istanbu
17 Jul 2026
Employer Obligations in Turkey: 2026 Guide for Companies
Foreign-owned companies in Turkey face strict SGK, payroll and Labor Law 4857 duties. Learn the key 2026 employer obligations and how t
16 Jul 2026
Buying Property in Turkey via a Company vs Personally 2026
Company or personal name? Compare tax, liability & citizenship when buying property in Turkey in 2026. Istanbul real estate lawyers exp
10 Jul 2026You do not have to work out which of these applies to you. Describe the situation in two or three lines and we will tell you which route it is.
Ask what applies to youA founding partner reads it · Answered in English · Asking costs nothing
Earthquake Safety When Buying Property in Turkey 2026
Buying property in Turkey? Learn the earthquake building-safety laws, permits, and due diligence every foreign buyer must check in 2026
09 Jul 2026
Turkish International Ship Registry (TUGS): 2026 Tax Guide
Registering under the Turkish flag through TUGS brings major tax exemptions under Law 4490. Istanbul maritime lawyers explain eligibili
12 Jun 2026
Director Criminal Liability in Turkey: Executive Guide
Personal criminal liability of company directors in Turkey: how foreign executives face prosecution and limit exposure. Speak to our le
07 Jun 2026
Contested Divorce in Turkey: 2026 Foreign National Guide
Contested divorce in Turkey for foreign nationals: TMK 161-166 grounds, jurisdiction, timeline, cost, custody, alimony and property division explained.
04 Jun 2026
Charter Party Disputes in Turkey: 2026 Owners Guide
Charter party disputes in Turkey: demurrage, off-hire, bunkers, cargo claims, ship arrest and the one-year TCC time bar. Guide for owners and charterers.
02 Jun 2026
KVKK Cross-Border Data Transfers: 2026 Compliance Guide
Cross-border data transfers under KVKK now require adequacy decisions, SCCs or BCRs. Learn the 2026 rules, fines and duties for foreign
01 Jun 2026
Merger Control Turkey 2026: New Thresholds Guide
Merger control Turkey 2026 — new TRY 3 billion thresholds, TCA notification rules, and strategic guidance for foreign acquirers and MNC
16 May 2026
Turquoise Card Turkey 2026: Strategic Visa Guide
Turquoise Card Turkey 2026 guide for HNWI investors and global executives — eligibility, 3-year transition, application process, and el
15 May 2026
Turkish Citizenship by Investment 2026: Strategic Guide for HNWIs
Turkish citizenship by investment in 2026: $400K real estate, $500K deposit and fund routes — strategic guide for HNWI applicants by se
11 May 2026
Interpol Red Notice and Extradition in Turkey: 2026 Guide
How a Red Notice works in Türkiye: the 48-hour border rule, the bars to extradition under Law 6706, timing, and deleting the notice in Lyon.
10 May 2026
Matrimonial Property Division in Turkey: 2026 Guide
How Turkish courts divide marital assets under TMK 218-241: the 2002 rule, the participation claim, prenups and foreign assets. A 2026 guide for expats.
10 May 2026
Criminal Appeals in Turkey: İstinaf, Temyiz & AYM Guide
Criminal appeals in Turkey: İstinaf, Temyiz, Constitutional Court (AYM), and ECHR applications for foreign defendants. Strategic appell
07 May 2026
Protection Orders Turkey: Law 6284 Guide for Foreigners
How foreign spouses obtain a Law 6284 protection order in Turkey: where to file, what measures a judge can order, breach penalties, permits and custody.
03 May 2026
Double Taxation Treaties in Turkey: 2026 Guide for HNWIs
Double taxation treaty Turkey 2026: HNWI & MNC guide on cross-border income, withholding, tax credits and residency. Speak to a Turkish
03 May 2026
Ship Arrest in Turkey: 2026 Guide for Foreign Claimants
How to arrest a ship in Turkey: procedure, counter-security, costs and timing. Maritime lawyers in Istanbul guide foreign claimants und
02 May 2026
Alimony in Turkey for Foreign Spouses: 2026 Guide
Alimony in Turkey for foreign spouses: tedbir, yoksulluk and iştirak nafakası, how courts set the amount, indexation, deadlines and cross-border enforcement.
01 May 2026
ISDS in Turkey: ICSID & BIT Claims for Investors
Investor-state dispute settlement in Turkey: a 2026 strategic guide for foreign investors on ICSID arbitration, BIT claims, and recover
01 May 2026
Concordat in Turkey 2026: Creditor Rights and Deadlines
Concordat (konkordato) in Turkey 2026: the moratorium deadlines, the Article 302 creditor vote and what a ratified plan binds. A guide for foreign creditors.
27 Apr 2026
Breach of Trust in Turkey: TCK 155 Criminal Liability
TCK 155 breach of trust in Turkey: criminal exposure for executives, board members, and HNWI investors. Strategic defense counsel in Is
26 Apr 2026
Prenuptial Agreements Turkey: Foreign Spouse Guide
Prenuptial agreements in Turkey under TMK 202-241 protect foreign spouses' assets. 2026 guide on property regimes, notary process and e
26 Apr 2026
Fraud Crimes Turkey: TCK 157-159 Liability Guide
Fraud crimes in Turkey under TCK 157-159 expose foreign investors and MNCs to up to 10 years prison. Strategic defense from Istanbul At
25 Apr 2026
Free Zones in Turkey: Tax Benefits & MNC Setup 2026
Free zones in Turkey offer corporate tax exemption, VAT relief, and 85% income tax savings for MNCs. 2026 setup guide for foreign inves
25 Apr 2026
Real Estate Due Diligence in Turkey: 2026 Buyer Guide
Real estate due diligence in Turkey for foreign buyers: TAPU and annotation checks, military zones, SPK valuation, the 4% transfer fee and 2026 base values.
25 Apr 2026
Tax Evasion in Turkey: VUK 359 Criminal Liability 2026
Tax evasion in Turkey under VUK Article 359 carries 18 months to 8 years imprisonment. Strategic guide for foreign companies and execut
25 Apr 2026
Branch vs Subsidiary in Turkey: 2026 MNC Entry Guide
Choose between branch office, subsidiary, or liaison office in Turkey. Tax, liability, and registration rules for MNCs and foreign inve
23 Apr 2026
Cross-Border Child Custody in Turkey: 2026 Guide
Cross-border child custody in Turkey for foreign parents: Hague return applications, custody jurisdiction, travel bans and enforcing foreign court orders.
23 Apr 2026
Recognition of Foreign Divorce in Turkey: 2026 Guide
Recognition of a foreign divorce in Turkey: the Article 27/A registry route, the tanıma court case under MÖHUK, the documents needed and realistic timelines.
23 Apr 2026
International Arbitration in Turkey: ICC vs ISTAC Guide
International arbitration in Turkey — compare ICC and ISTAC for cross-border contracts, enforcement, and strategic risk allocation. Exp
18 Apr 2026
Asset Protection in Turkey for Foreign Investors
Learn how foreign investors can protect assets in Turkey using corporate structures, trust alternatives, and risk mitigation. Istanbul
17 Apr 2026
Forgery and Document Fraud in Turkey Under TCK 204-212
Forgery and document fraud in Turkey carry 2-7 years imprisonment under TCK 204-212. Learn how foreign investors can guard against docu
17 Apr 2026
Buying Property in Turkey as a Foreigner: 2026 Tapu Guide
How foreigners buy property in Turkey in 2026: the tapu transfer, ownership limits, the unbuilt-land project rule, military-zone checks, the 4% fee and VAT re
12 Apr 2026Asset Protection & Estate Planning in Turkey
Protect your Turkish assets with strategic estate planning. Expert guide on inheritance law, forced heirship, and wealth structuring fo
11 Apr 2026
IP Protection in Turkey: Patents, Designs & Trade Secrets
Learn how foreign investors protect patents, designs, and trade secrets in Turkey. TURKPATENT filing, enforcement, and strategic IP str
11 Apr 2026
Cyber Crime & Digital Fraud in Turkey 2026: Legal Defense Guide
How does Turkish law punish cyber crime & digital fraud? Complete 2026 guide on TCK 243-245 penalties, victim remedies & cross-border d
09 Apr 2026
Mergers and Acquisitions in Turkey for Foreign Investors
Mergers and acquisitions in Turkey explained for foreign investors. Updated 2026 Competition Board thresholds, due diligence, and M&A l
08 Apr 2026
AML & MASAK Compliance in Turkey 2026: Foreign Investor Guide
What are MASAK AML obligations for foreign companies in Turkey? Complete 2026 guide on suspicious transaction reporting, TCK 282 penalt
08 Apr 2026
Commercial Litigation Turkey | Foreign Investor Guide
Navigate commercial litigation in Turkey with expert legal guidance on court procedures, mandatory mediation, and interim measures for
06 Apr 2026
Divorce in Turkey for Expats: Custody & Prenups Guide
Expert guide to divorce in Turkey for expats — mixed-nationality custody, prenuptial agreements, jurisdiction rules, and strategic lega
05 Apr 2026
Enforcing Foreign Court Judgments in Turkey: Tenfiz Guide
How a foreign court judgment becomes enforceable in Türkiye: the five conditions of Article 54 MÖHUK, the documents, the timeline, and when not to bother.
05 Apr 2026
Shareholder Agreements in Turkey for Foreign Investors
Shareholder agreements in Turkey protect foreign investors in joint ventures. Learn drag-along, tag-along, deadlock, and exit clauses u
05 Apr 2026
Turkey Work Permit 2026: Rules, Deadlines & Renewals
A 2026 guide to Turkish work permits for foreign employees and multinationals: filing rules, the 30-day decision, renewal windows, Turquoise Card and fines.
05 Apr 2026
Corporate Tax in Turkey 2026: Foreign Investor Guide
How are foreign investors taxed in Turkey? Complete 2026 guide to the 25% corporate rate, 80+ tax treaties, withholding & minimum tax —
03 Apr 2026
KVKK Compliance in Turkey: Guide for Foreign Companies
KVKK compliance in Turkey requires foreign companies to appoint a local DPR, register with VERBIS, and meet strict 2026 data protection
31 Mar 2026
White-Collar Crime & Executive Liability in Turkey
White-collar crime in Turkey exposes executives to personal liability. Learn about risk mitigation, MASAK compliance, and strategic def
31 Mar 2026
Cross-Border Inheritance in Turkey: 2026 Estate Guide
Turkish law governs your Istanbul property whoever you are. Reserved shares, 2026 inheritance tax bands, filing deadlines and title-deed traps explained.
30 Mar 2026
Company Formation in Turkey: LLC vs JSC for Investors
Company formation in Turkey for foreign investors in 2026: LLC vs JSC on capital, personal liability, tax and timelines, plus the costs nobody quotes upfront.
28 Mar 2026
Trademark Registration in Turkey for Foreign Companies
Learn how foreign companies register trademarks in Turkey via TURKPATENT. Fees, timelines, Madrid Protocol options. Get strategic IP co
28 Mar 2026
Enforcing Foreign Arbitral Awards in Turkey 2026
Learn how to enforce foreign arbitral awards in Turkey under the New York Convention. Timelines, costs, and key steps for MNCs and inve
27 Mar 2026
Family Law in Kağıthane: Divorce, Custody, Inheritance
Divorce, custody, property and inheritance for foreign families in Kağıthane, İstanbul, with the Turkish Civil Code articles that decide each outcome.
25 Mar 2026
Short-Term Residence Permit Turkey | 2026 Guide
Learn how to obtain a short-term residence permit in Turkey in 2026. Istanbul lawyers explain requirements, costs, and the e-Ikamet pro
24 Mar 2026
Cyber Fraud Turkey | TCK 158/1-f Defense, 4-Year Floor
Cyber fraud charges in Turkey: how TCK 158/1-f works, why the sentence starts at four years, the new 2026 reduction for lent accounts, and the real defences.
07 Mar 2026
Claiming Land in Turkey: The 20-Year Rule (TMK 713)
How the 20-year rule (TMK 713) works in Türkiye: who you sue, the three-month objection window, court fees, and the land that no possession can ever win.
14 Feb 2026
Deed Cancellation Lawsuit Turkey: Grounds, Costs, Timing
Title deed cancellation in Türkiye: the four grounds Turkish courts accept, the freezing order that stops a resale, court fees, deadlines and appeal stages.
27 Jan 2026
Fraud Charges in Turkey: TCK 157 & 158 Defense Guide
Facing fraud charges in Turkey? TCK 157 carries 1-5 years, TCK 158 up to 10. Learn effective repentance under TCK 168, frozen accounts and defense options.
06 Jan 2026
Medical Malpractice Compensation in Turkey: 2026 Guide
How Turkish courts calculate malpractice damages: material and moral heads of loss, the new 2026 interest rules, filing deadlines and what a claim costs.
04 Jan 2026
Suing a Hospital in Turkey: Courts, Deadlines, Liability
Suing a state hospital in Turkey means an administrative court; a private clinic means a consumer court. Know the forum, the first step and your deadline.
03 Jan 2026
Turkish Divorce: Adultery, Company Shares, Hidden Assets
How Turkish law treats adultery, company share valuation and assets moved to relatives in divorce: the Civil Code articles, deadlines and the cost of filing.
30 Dec 2025
Mortgage in Turkish Divorce: Who Owns the House? 2026
Paid the mortgage during marriage while the title deed stayed in one name? How Turkish courts value the house and split the claim under TMK 227 and 236.
28 Dec 2025
Asset Protection in Turkish Divorce: Stop Asset Hiding
Is your spouse hiding assets? Learn legal strategies to block mal kaçırma, freeze bank accounts, and secure the family home in a Turkis
27 Dec 2025
Turkish Execution Law: Procedures & Pitfalls (2026 Guide)
Master Turkish Execution Law procedures. Learn about debt collection, PTT notifications, and avoiding the 7-day objection pitfall in Tu
10 Dec 2025
Can I File for Divorce in Turkey? Jurisdiction Rules
Can a foreigner file for divorce in Turkey? How jurisdiction works under MÖHUK 40 and TMK 168, which law applies, costs, and filing from abroad by proxy.
27 Jul 2025
Immigrating to Turkey 2026: Visas, Permits & Citizenship
Moving to Turkey in 2026? Visa limits, residence permit types and durations, work permit rules and the routes to Turkish citizenship, article by article.
10 Jul 2025
Residency by Investment Turkey 2026 | Legal Guide
Get Turkish residency through property investment in 2026. Investment routes, costs, timelines & legal requirements. Expert advice from
09 Jul 2025
Buying Real Estate in Turkey | 2026 Investor Guide
Complete guide to buying property in Turkey as a foreigner. Legal process, taxes, citizenship options & pitfalls explained by Istanbul
04 Jul 2025
Residence Permit Turkey 2026 | Types & Requirements
Complete 2026 guide to Turkish residence permits. All types, e-ikamet application, fees, requirements & expert legal advice from Istanb
04 Jul 2025No guides in that area yet.
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These guides are general. Your file has its own facts, its own dates and its own deadline. Tell us the situation in two or three lines and we will tell you which route applies.
Ask what applies to youA founding partner reads it · Answered in English · Asking costs nothing
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