Author: Luxury Estate Turkey
Viewed 33 times
18 December 2025
A power of attorney for real estate in Turkey is a legally recognised instrument that allows property transactions to be carried out through an authorised representative, without the physical presence of the buyer or owner. For foreign nationals, it is a standard and widely used solution when personal attendance in Turkey is impractical.
In the Turkish legal system, a properly executed power of attorney grants the representative the right to act on behalf of the principal within clearly defined limits, with full legal effect equivalent to personal participation.
Yes. Buying property in Turkey through a notarised power of attorney is fully legal and widely used by foreign buyers. As international demand for Turkish real estate has increased and remote transactions have become more common, the power of attorney for real estate in Turkey has become a routine part of the market rather than an exceptional solution.
Turkish law does not require a buyer to act through a representative; a power of attorney is not mandatory, but serves as a practical tool when personal attendance is not feasible. If a buyer is willing and able to remain in Turkey throughout all stages of the transaction — from signing documents to registering ownership — the purchase can be completed personally.
A power of attorney is typically used when the buyer or owner cannot be physically present in Turkey for the entire duration of the transaction. This is common when the buyer lives abroad, has limited time for travel, or prefers to delegate procedural matters to professionals on the ground.
In practice, a power of attorney is most often used when:
the buyer resides outside Turkey and cannot travel multiple times;
staying in Turkey for notary appointments, bank procedures, and Land Registry registration is impractical;
language barriers complicate direct interaction with notaries, banks, and public institutions;
the buyer wants to buy property in Turkey online while remaining abroad.
Personal attendance may be preferable for buyers purchasing property abroad for the first time or for those who want to oversee every stage of the process themselves. Both approaches are legally valid; the choice depends on the buyer’s circumstances and level of involvement.
A properly drafted power of attorney allows a representative to perform almost all actions required to complete a real estate transaction. The key point is that the authority must be clearly and explicitly stated in the document.
An authorised representative may sign the sale and purchase agreement on behalf of the buyer, as long as this power is expressly granted. This includes signing preliminary agreements and final contracts required to complete the transaction.
The representative’s authority must be clearly defined. Turkish notaries and public authorities rely strictly on the wording of the power of attorney. If a specific action is not mentioned, it may not be accepted.
A power of attorney may authorise the representative to open a Turkish bank account in the buyer’s name. This is a critical point for foreign buyers, as most payments related to real estate transactions in Turkey, including the purchase price, taxes, and state fees, must be processed through a Turkish bank account.
Within the scope of the authority granted, the representative may transfer funds to the seller, pay title deed fees, transaction taxes, and other mandatory charges related to the purchase. Turkish banks accept transactions carried out by authorised representatives when a valid power of attorney is presented.
After ownership is registered, the new owner must transfer or activate utility subscriptions for electricity, water, gas, and internet. These procedures can also be handled through a power of attorney, allowing the property to be fully operational immediately after purchase without requiring the owner’s presence in Turkey.
This is particularly relevant for buyers who plan to rent out the property or use it shortly after completion of the transaction.
While most real estate procedures can be handled by a trusted representative, certain actions require a specific legal status. Representation in court proceedings or before migration authorities, for example, generally requires a licensed Turkish attorney.
A power of attorney is issued at any Turkish notary office (Noter). For foreign nationals, the standard requirements include:
a valid passport with a notarised Turkish translation;
a Turkish tax number (Vergi Numarası);
in some cases, a passport-size photograph.
The document is prepared in Turkish by the notary. If the principal does not speak Turkish, the text is read and explained in the presence of a sworn translator. Only after the content has been fully explained and confirmed does the principal sign the document. Once notarised, the power of attorney is registered electronically and becomes legally effective.
The principal receives the original document along with receipts for notary and translation fees.
If the principal is outside Turkey, a power of attorney may be issued through a Turkish consulate or before a local notary in the country of residence. In the latter case, the document must be apostilled and drafted in a form acceptable under Turkish law. Not all foreign notarised documents are automatically valid in Turkey; the wording and format matter.
For foreign nationals who do not speak Turkish, the involvement of a sworn translator is mandatory. This is not a formality. The translator ensures that the principal fully understands the content of the document and that the wording accurately reflects the principal’s intent.
The translator reads and translates the text of the power of attorney in full and confirms this with their signature. Without the translator’s signature, the document is considered invalid. In most cases, the notary office arranges the translator, and the translator’s services are paid separately.
A power of attorney in Turkey may be issued without a fixed expiration date, in which case it remains valid until revoked. In real estate transactions, however, it is generally advisable to specify a limited validity period. This period is usually set long enough to complete the specific transaction for which the power of attorney is issued.
Equally important is limiting the scope of authority. The document should include only those powers that are necessary to complete the intended transaction. Issuing a general power of attorney for real estate matters is appropriate only when there is absolute trust between the parties and no narrower alternative exists.
Ownership in Turkey arises from registration at the Land Registry (Tapu Müdürlüğü), not from signing a contract. If personal attendance is not possible, a notarised power of attorney becomes mandatory. Turkish registry officials do not accept documents from third parties unless the authority to act is explicitly granted.
In practice, this means that even if all commercial terms have been agreed and payments have been prepared, the transaction cannot be completed unless the property power of attorney contains the correct wording for Tapu procedures.
For a representative to complete title deed registration on behalf of the buyer or owner, the power of attorney must clearly authorise the following actions:
submitting and signing all documents required by the Land Registry for ownership transfer;
representing the principal during Tapu procedures;
collecting the issued title deed after registration.
In addition, the document must authorise payment of all state fees, title deed taxes, and registration charges related to the transfer of ownership. Without this authority, the Land Registry may refuse to proceed even if the representative is otherwise properly appointed.
If additional permits, approvals, or certificates are required for a foreign buyer, the power of attorney must also allow the representative to request and obtain them from the relevant authorities. In practice, standard legal wording is used to cover these situations, but the authority must still be clearly stated.
A power of attorney that does not allow the representative to complete the entire ownership transfer process may result in the transaction being halted at an intermediate stage.
To issue a power of attorney that allows title deed registration, a standard set of documents is required. These are provided to the notary at the time of issuance and typically include:
the principal’s passport with a notarised Turkish translation;
a Turkish tax number (Vergi Numarası);
identification details of the authorised representative, including passport or ID information and residential address.
If the power of attorney includes the right to sell property, two photographs of the principal are required and are physically attached to the document. Without photographs, the Land Registry will not accept a power of attorney for sale transactions.
When issuing a power of attorney for selling a specific property, a copy of the relevant Tapu is also required. The notary may request additional copies or documents depending on the circumstances of the transaction.
The most frequent and potentially dangerous mistake when buying property in Turkey is granting overly broad authority. A general power of attorney that allows unrestricted disposal of property may legally permit actions the principal never intended, including resale or registration of encumbrances such as mortgages.
For a single purchase transaction, the power of attorney should identify the specific property or clearly describe its characteristics. In many cases, it is also advisable to specify a maximum transaction amount. This creates an additional layer of protection and limits the representative’s authority to the intended scope.
When issuing a power of attorney for selling property, the document must state the exact address of the property and the terms of sale. As noted earlier, the presence of the principal’s photograph is mandatory for such documents. Without it, the Land Registry will refuse to process the sale.
These requirements are not formalities. In practice, improperly drafted powers of attorney are one of the most common reasons for delays and refusals during Tapu registration.
A power of attorney is often used not only to complete the purchase or sale itself, but also to handle related administrative matters once the owner has left Turkey or cannot attend in person.
Opening a bank account and managing payments related to the transaction can be delegated to a representative. Under a notarised power of attorney, the representative may open an account in the principal’s name and conduct banking operations, including transferring funds to the seller and paying taxes and state fees related to the property transaction.
Turkish banks accept withdrawals and other account operations carried out by authorised representatives, provided the power of attorney explicitly grants this authority.
If the power of attorney is issued outside Turkey and the principal does not yet have a Turkish tax number, the document must include a clause authorising the representative to obtain it. Without this clause, banks will refuse to open an account or process payments.
After ownership is registered, contracts for electricity, water, gas, and internet must be transferred to the new owner. To avoid travelling to Turkey solely to visit utility providers, the power of attorney may include authority to connect and transfer utilities.
In practice, this allows the representative to contact service providers, sign contracts, and ensure that the property is fully operational immediately after the transaction is completed.
Property ownership in Turkey allows the owner to apply for a residence permit based on ownership. Certain steps in this process may be carried out under a power of attorney, including preparation and submission of documents to the Migration Directorate, payment of state fees, and collection of the issued residence permit card.
However, personal attendance at the biometric appointment—fingerprinting and photograph—is mandatory for all applicants and cannot be delegated. No power of attorney can replace the applicant’s presence at this stage.
Representation before migration authorities is often carried out by a licensed attorney, particularly in more complex cases.
A power of attorney may be revoked at any time, regardless of the reasons for revocation or the position of the authorised representative. The revocation procedure is straightforward but must be completed correctly to ensure legal effect.
Revocation is carried out through any Turkish notary office. If the principal does not speak Turkish, a sworn translator must be present to confirm the expression of intent.
The notary prepares a formal deed of revocation, which the principal signs. Once the revocation is recorded in the electronic notarial system, the power of attorney is considered terminated.
Only the principal’s passport and basic information about the power of attorney are required, such as its registration number, date of issuance, and the name of the notary office. No additional certificates or confirmations are necessary.
A power of attorney ceases to be valid from the moment the revocation is registered in the notarial system. The notary sends notifications to relevant authorities, including the Land Registry (Tapu Dairesi), and to the authorised representative.
In practice, system updates and notifications may take time. For this reason, it is advisable to inform the representative in writing and, where possible, retrieve the original document.
A power of attorney simplifies the transaction process but carries inherent risks if used carelessly.
If the document grants more authority than necessary, especially unrestricted rights to dispose of property, the principal becomes vulnerable. A dishonest representative could legally perform actions that are difficult to challenge, as the authority was granted by the principal themselves.
For this reason, a general power of attorney for real estate transactions should be issued only when it is truly necessary and when there is absolute trust between the parties.
Risk reduction starts with the choice of a representative. It is generally safer to appoint a professional, such as a licensed attorney or a real estate agent operating in Turkey. For such professionals, reputational and legal consequences of misconduct are significant, which reduces the risk of abuse.
Equal attention should be paid to the content of the power of attorney itself. Before signing, every clause should be reviewed carefully: personal details, scope of authority, validity period, and financial powers. If the document is drafted in Turkish, it should be reviewed line by line with a sworn translator to ensure that the wording accurately reflects the principal’s intentions.
Only after this verification should the power of attorney be notarised.
Luxury Estate Turkey has been operating in the Turkish real estate market since 2015 and holds a valid licence to conduct property transactions in Turkey.
Our team assists clients with structuring powers of attorney specifically for real estate transactions, ensuring that the authority granted is sufficient for the transaction while protecting the client’s interests.
We provide full support throughout the process — from preparing the power of attorney to completing Tapu registration — allowing foreign buyers and property owners to proceed confidently, even when they cannot be personally present in Turkey.
Turkish Citizenship 
YouTube
Instagram 
Facebook 
WhatsApp 
Telegram 
