Real Estate & Property Law in Turkey | Investment & Litigation
Strategic legal protection for foreign investors. From risk-free property acquisition to complex real estate disputes, we secure your assets and title deed rights in Turkey.
Buying property in a foreign country requires more than just trust; it demands legal certainty. At Istanbul Attorneys, we distinguish ourselves from real estate agents by focusing solely on your legal safety, not the sale. Whether you are purchasing a luxury villa or managing a commercial portfolio, our team conducts rigorous due diligence, drafts airtight contracts, and represents you in litigation, ensuring that your investment remains a profitable asset, not a legal liability.
Comprehensive Real Estate Legal Services
Real estate transactions in Turkey involve strict procedural formalities. A simple oversight can lead to the loss of your investment. We provide a full spectrum of legal services, guiding you from the initial background check to the final title deed transfer and beyond.
Property Purchase & Conveyance
Buying property in Turkey should be exciting, not stressful. We manage the entire process on your behalf via Power of Attorney (POA), meaning you do not need to travel to Turkey.
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Contract Drafting: We draft and notarize the "Preliminary Sales Contract" to lock in the price and protect your deposit.
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Secure Payment: We advise on secure banking methods (Blocked Checks) to ensure your money is released only when the Title Deed is signed.
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Title Deed Transfer: We represent you at the Land Registry Directorate (Tapu Müdürlüğü) for a seamless ownership transfer.
Legal Due Diligence
This is the most critical service we offer. Before you pay a single dollar, our team investigates the property’s history to ensure it is "clean."
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Encumbrance Check: We check for hidden mortgages (ipotek), liens, or court orders that could block the sale.
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Zoning & Habitation: Verification of the "Iskan" (Habitation Certificate) and zoning status (Imar) to ensure the property is legal and not built illegally.
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Military Clearance: Applying for necessary permits if the property is near security zones.
Real Estate Litigation
When investments go wrong, we step in to recover your assets. Our litigation team represents foreign clients in Turkish courts for complex property disputes.
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Title Deed Cancellation: Filing "Tapu İptal ve Tescil" lawsuits to correct fraudulent transfers or reclaim property rights.
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Project Delays: Suing developers for late delivery compensation or canceling contracts due to breach of terms.
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Deposit Recovery: Legal action to recover down payments from sellers who fail to deliver the property.
Rental Law & Management
Buying is just the beginning. If you plan to rent out your property, you need watertight protection against tenant disputes.
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Lease Agreements: Drafting strict rental contracts compliant with the Turkish Code of Obligations to protect the landlord's rights.
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Eviction Lawsuits: Representing property owners in tenant eviction cases and rental fee determination lawsuits.
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Citizenship Eligibility: Ensuring the property valuation meets the $400,000 threshold for Turkish Citizenship by Investment.
Securing Your Real Estate Assets: Our 4-Step Safety Protocol
1. Comprehensive "Tapu" Intelligence
We do not trust; we verify. Before negotiations begin, we physically visit the Land Registry (Tapu) and Municipality. We confirm that the property is free of mortgages (ipotek), liens, and court orders. We also verify the "Iskan" (Habitation Certificate) to ensure the building is legally compliant and habitable.
2. Notarized Sales Contracts
A simple handshake is not enough. We draft a robust "Preliminary Sales Contract" at the Notary Public. This legally binds the seller to the transaction, protects your deposit, and imposes strict penalty clauses for any delay in delivery or Title Deed transfer.
3. Financial Security & Blocked Checks
The biggest risk is paying the seller before receiving the deed. We implement secure payment methods, such as the "Blocked Check" system or bank-integrated swap (TapuTakas). Your funds are released to the seller only at the exact moment the Title Deed is officially transferred to your name.
4. Final Transfer & Logistics
Bureaucracy can be overwhelming. We handle the entire application process at the Land Registry Directorate. We calculate the exact 4% Transfer Tax, arrange the sworn translator, and represent you via Power of Attorney on the signing day, delivering your Title Deed to your doorstep.
The Legal Framework: Property Rights & Investment Regulations in Turkey
Property ownership in Turkey is constitutionally protected and strictly regulated to ensure the security of foreign investments. The primary legislation governing real estate acquisition is the Turkish Civil Code No. 4721, which defines property rights, and the Land Registry Law No. 2644, which outlines the specific conditions for foreign nationals.
The Reciprocity Principle & Foreign Ownership
According to Article 35 of the Land Registry Law, Turkey has lifted the "reciprocity requirement" for citizens of 183 countries. This means that nationals of most countries (including the UK, USA, UAE, and EU member states) can freely acquire real estate in Turkey, granting them the exact same ownership rights as Turkish citizens.
Official Valuation & Registration
To prevent price manipulation and tax evasion, all property sales to foreigners require a mandatory Real Estate Valuation Report (Değerleme Raporu). Our legal due diligence processes are strictly aligned with the circulars published by the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM). We ensure that the declared value matches the official records to protect your future capital gains.
Restrictions: Military & Security Zones
While the market is open, critical restrictions apply under the Military Forbidden Zones and Security Zones Law No. 2565. Foreigners are prohibited from acquiring land located within military security zones. We conduct preliminary checks through the official data published in the Official Gazette to ensure your chosen property is eligible for sale and title deed transfer.
Why Choose Istanbul Attorneys for Your Property Investment?
We are not real estate agents; we are your strategic legal guardians. We prioritize your financial safety over closing the deal.
100% Independent Counsel
unlike real estate agencies, we do not earn commissions from sellers or developers. This eliminates any conflict of interest. Our loyalty is exclusively to you, the buyer. If a property has legal risks, we will advise you not to buy it, saving you from a bad investment.
Remote Acquisition via POA
You do not need to travel to Turkey to sign deeds or open bank accounts. We handle the entire process remotely via Power of Attorney (POA). From fund transfers to picking up your Title Deed, we manage the logistics while you stay in your home country.
"Zero-Risk" Investigation
We go beyond standard checks. We physically investigate the Land Registry records for hidden debts, mortgages, and zoning issues. We ensure the property you see is legally the property you get, with no hidden liabilities attached.
Your Dedicated Real Estate Counsel in Turkey
Real estate transactions require more than just legal knowledge; they demand local market intelligence. Our Real Estate Practice is led by senior partners who have overseen the acquisition of over $50 Million in property assets for foreign investors, ensuring zero legal complications.
Trusted by Global Clients in Complex Disputes
Retired Couple, Holiday Home Buyers 🇬🇧 (United Kingdom)
We were terrified of buying property abroad. We found a villa in Bodrum but were unsure about the paperwork. Istanbul Attorneys handled everything remotely. They even found a discrepancy in the Title Deed that the agent didn't mention and fixed it before we paid. We now have our dream home and zero stress.
Real Estate Investor (UAE) 🇦🇪
I faced a serious issue with a developer in Istanbul who delayed the project for 2 years and refused to refund my deposit. I contacted this firm for litigation. Their team was aggressive and professional. They filed a lawsuit and managed to recover my initial investment with interest within 8 months. Highly recommended.
IT Entrepreneur (USA) 🇺🇸
I needed to acquire Turkish Citizenship via property investment quickly for business travel reasons. The team guided me to a pre-approved project, handled the valuation report, and completed the purchase and citizenship application simultaneously. Professional, English-speaking, and very fast.