Required Documents for Buying Property in Turkey

Required Documents for Buying Property in Turkey – Complete Guide

Buying property in Turkey, whether for residence, investment, or citizenship, requires submitting specific documents to the relevant authorities. Knowing these documents in advance and preparing them before starting the purchase process will save time and prevent legal issues.

In this guide, we’ll go through the required documents step-by-step.

1. Valid Passport

The passport must have at least 6 months of validity remaining.
If required, the passport must be officially translated into Turkish and certified by a Notary (Noter).

2. Turkish Tax Number (Vergi Numarası)

This number is mandatory for any official purchase in Turkey.
It can be obtained from the Tax Office (Vergi Dairesi).
You will need your passport and a valid residential address to apply.

3. Biometric Photos

Usually, 2 to 4 biometric color photos in passport size are required.
The photo must be recent with a white background.

4. Property Title Deed or Preliminary Sales Contract

For ready-to-move properties, the official title deed (TAPU) or a copy of it must be provided.
For properties under construction, a Preliminary Sales Agreement (Satış Vaadi Sözleşmesi) registered at the Notary is required.

5. Property Valuation Report (Ekspertiz Raporu)

This report determines the official market value of the property and is mandatory for foreign buyers.
It must be prepared by certified valuation companies approved by the SPK (Capital Markets Board of Turkey).

6. Compulsory Earthquake Insurance (DASK)

Before the title deed transfer, having earthquake insurance is mandatory.
It can be obtained from banks or insurance companies.

7. Presence of a Sworn Translator

For foreign buyers who do not speak Turkish, the presence of a sworn translator during the TAPU signing process is mandatory.
The cost for a translator is usually ₺3,000 – ₺4,000.

8. Additional Documents for Citizenship or Residence

If the property purchase is for Turkish citizenship or residence permit, you will also need:

Bank transfer receipt showing payment from the buyer’s account to the seller’s account
Proof of property value (minimum USD 200,000 for residence and USD 400,000 for citizenship)
A pledge not to sell the property for 3 years (for citizenship applications)

Conclusion

Preparing all required documents before starting the property purchase process in Turkey ensures a faster and smoother transaction. To avoid any errors or missing paperwork, it’s highly recommended to work with a reputable real estate consultant and an experienced lawyer.