Buying Property in Turkey as a Foreigner (Title Deed & DAB)

Turkey's robust real estate sector offers spectacular opportunities for expats blending lifestyle upgrades with high rental yields (particularly in Istanbul, Antalya, and Bodrum). Additionally, Turkish laws allow property buyers to acquire 'Short-Term Residency'. However, the state has fortified the transaction framework to control foreign capital effectively.

The $200,000 Threshold for Real Estate Residency

If your goal is not merely investment, but to relocate yourself and your family to Turkey via a Property-Based Residence Permit, the legislation radically changed in October 2023.

• Minimum Value: The purchase price and the official Title Deed (Tapu) valuation of the property must be a minimum of $200,000 USD (across all Turkish cities).
• Residential Only: You cannot acquire residency by buying commercial lands, shops, or empty agricultural plots. The official zoning of the title deed must be 'Residential' (Mesken).
• Open Neighborhoods: The property must be located in a neighborhood where the quota for foreign residents has not been exceeded.

The Mandatory 'DAB' (Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate)

You cannot simply send US Dollars directly to the seller's account. This is strictly illegal under current Title Deed protocols.

To counter currency fluctuations, the Central Bank of Turkey mandates that foreign buyers must bring foreign currency into the country and sell it to the Central Bank via a local intermediary bank. Once the USD/EUR is converted strictly into Turkish Lira (TL) for the transaction, the bank issues a 'Döviz Alım Belgesi' (DAB). The Tapu Directorate will digitally verify this exact document before transferring the deed to your name.

The Valuation Report (GABİM Automation)

To protect foreign buyers from predatory overpricing and to prevent municipal tax evasion, the Tapu system mathematically requires an Independent Valuation Report. When a foreigner logs into the national 'WebTapu' portal to initiate a purchase, the state randomly assigns a Capital Markets Board (SPK) licensed appraiser to evaluate the property. The sales price transferred cannot logically deviate from this official appraisal.

The Necessity of Due Diligence

Transacting real estate in Turkey without a lawyer is notoriously risky. Behind a beautiful apartment facade could lie heavy bank mortgages (İpotek), third-party confiscation orders (Haciz), or demolition verdicts for zoning violations. Rona Legal executes end-to-end Legal Due Diligence directly at the Land Registry, ensuring your transaction is flawless and your funds are fully protected.