Tapu process in Turkey

Author: Luxury Estate Turkey Viewed 732 times 06 January 2022

Turkey is an attractive, comfortable, and profitable country to live in. According to statistics of 2021, 64,500 apartments were sold to foreigners. Foreign investment in real estate was $3 billion.

The popularity of real estate in Turkey is due to the mild climate, relatively low cost of living compared to European countries, the availability of vegetables and fruits all year round.

If you want to buy a property in Turkey this article will help you to understand what documents are needed and how the process is going on.

TAPU is an official document confirming the ownership of the real estate in Turkey. TAPU can be issued for houses or apartments and farmland or building land. TAPU contains all information about the owner and the property.

The title deed document in Turkey is given for one person, but it can be issued for several persons. This procedure is simple in a legal sense. If one of the owners wants to sell his portion of the real estate, he has to get the permission of the other owners. You you don't have to issue TAPU for your children or wife/husband, because they are lineal descendants and can get a portion of their property.

The process of obtaining TAPU in Turkey begins with the preparation of the necessary documents. The list of documents can always be obtained from the Land and Cadaster Office. Sometimes a foreigner must provide permission from the military department that the property is not located in the security zone. At the same time, it is possible to collect the necessary documents in a short time, and you have not to obtain a residence permit. You can do it after buying the real estate. If you want to buy property in Turkey, you have to go through the following steps:

Step 1. Sale and purchase agreement. The contract between the seller and the buyer specifies the terms of the transaction, terms of payment, penalties. It should be noted that the contract is not enough to transfer the house or apartment to the property of the buyer.

Step 2. Making a deposit. According to the contract of sale, the buyer is obliged to make a deposit (guarantee prepayment) for the real estate. Usually, the deposit is 5-10% of the price. If the seller cancelled the agreement, he has to pay the deposit to the buyer in double amount. If the agreement was canceled by the buyer, the prepayment is not compensated to him.

Step 3. Preparing the necessary documents for the Land and Cadaster Office. For the final transfer of real estate into ownership, the buyer must provide the following documents for TAPU:

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months,
  • Certified translation of your passport, if required by the Land and Cadaster Office,
  • Tax number, which you can get free at the nearest tax office,
  • A special form indicating with buyer’s address in Turkey, names of the parents, marital status, date, and place of birth,
  • The previous title deed if available,
  • Dask - Compulsory Earthquake Insurance,
  • 1 photo of the seller and 2 photos of the buyer (6x4),
  • A document on the declared value of the property received from the municipality to which the property belongs,
  • If the buyer or the seller doesn’t speak Turkish, there must be an accredited interpreter.

Step 4. Payments. The amount of TAPU registration, which includes various taxes and duties, is determined by state authorities. The buyer must also pay for the property in full at the time of receipt of the TAPU.

Registration of property rights can be carried out by power of attorney. To do this, you must provide a notarized power of attorney.

You can also apply for a title deed TAPU online using the seller's E-devlet, which helps to access the services offered by government institutions. Usually, the process of obtaining a TAPU takes several days. The buyer becomes the legal owner of the property in Turkey after getting the TAPU.

13 May 2025
Apply for Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2025
Apply for Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2025 Discover how a $400,000 property in Turkey opens the door to Turkish citizenship. Our 2025 guide walks you through the legal process, benefits, and support. Read more
19 March 2025
Medical Insurance Changes for Foreigners in Turkey in 2025
Medical Insurance Changes for Foreigners in Turkey in 2025 Discover how Turkey's 2025 medical insurance changes affect foreign property buyers. Learn about new requirements, cost implications! Read more
03 June 2025
FLY ME AIR: Helicopter Tours in Alanya
FLY ME AIR: Helicopter Tours in Alanya FLY ME AIR offers helicopter tours over Alanya, transfers to Antalya, Belek, Bodrum, and direct flights to Northern Cyprus for business and real estate purposes Read more
27 Day
Is Now the Right Time to Buy Property in Alanya? Market, Prices, and Area Insights
Is Now the Right Time to Buy Property in Alanya? Market, Prices, and Area Insights The Alanya property market has reached stability. Find out if it is the right moment to buy or if waiting for lower prices could cost more. Read more
10 August 2024
Why You Should Buy a Home in Alanya
Why You Should Buy a Home in Alanya Alanya offers a perfect climate, stunning beaches, rich history, affordable property, vibrant social life, friendly community, and developed infrastructure. Read more
0
Live chat
Offline
Chat Service Provider Live Support Provider Alanya Digital Solutions
No Active Representatives

We're currently unavailable, but we'd love to get back to you. Please leave your contact information.