Turkey Property Faq - Buying Property Abroad

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Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Turkish Property

1. Information on Turkey

1. What are the best times of year to come over? What is the weather like in winter - would it be deserted and bleak?

2. What are the medical services like in Turkey? I am concerned that we wouldn't receive the same level of care that we currently get at home.

3. What about the euro - is this currency accepted in Turkey?

4. Are locals accepting of foreigners?


2. Legal and financial information

1. Leasehold or Freehold?

2. Can I buy my property without a lawyer?

3. How long before I own the property?

4. Who inherits our property if one of us dies?

5. Can we take our money back out of Turkey if we sell our property?

6. Do I have to pay taxes?

7. Are there any charges when owning a property in a complex?

8. Are there other costs associated with purchasing property?

9. Can I purchase more that one property?

10. Is there a limit to how much land I can own?


3. General questions

1. Are mortgages available?

2. Following the war in Iraq, is now a good time to be buying a property in Turkey, as the country shares a border with Iraq?

3. There were tourist bombings in 2006, is now a safe time to buy?

4. What is the average cost of a house, what constitutes quality and what doesn't?

5. If I purchase a property in Turkey, will this give me citizenship, or any citizenship rights?

6. If I own a property in Turkey, is there a limit to the number of times I can come over in a year, or the duration of any of these visits?

7. What voltage is the electricity?

8. Do houses have gas?

9. Are we able to drink the tap water?

10. Can we install satellite TV?

11. Can we have a telephone?

12. How do mobile telephones operate in Turkey?

13. Can I open a bank account in Turkey if I own a property there?

14. Should we have air-conditioning?

15. What is the minimum needed to furnish our property?

16. Can we bring our own furniture from abroad?

17. What about bringing pets into Turkey?

18. What about insurance?

19. How do we travel to and around Turkey?

1. Information on Turkey

What are the best times of year to come over? What is the weather like in winter - would it be deserted and bleak?
Summer time (May - October) is the best in Turkey for the weather and the majority of holiday resorts can be found on the southern and western coasts of the country. These places experience more than seven months of sunshine per year. Winter is much milder than many parts of Europe, however it can rain heavily and frequently. The smaller coastal resorts generally close for the winter.

What are the medical services like in Turkey? I am concerned that we wouldn't receive the same level of care that we currently get at home.There are no NHS hospitals in Turkey - it has both Government and privately-owned hospitals. The private hospitals are generally 40% cheaper than their European counterparts, and the medical services are good with often one-to-one patient care. Private health insurance can also be purchased in Turkey.

What about the euro - is this currency accepted in Turkey?
Yes. As is the UK pound and US dollar.

Are locals accepting of foreigners?
The majority of locals are very accepting of foreigners, and are keen to have them as their neighbor. However, it is important that foreign property buyers respect the Turkish traditions and culture.


2. Legal and financial information

Leasehold or Freehold?
The majority of property in Turkey is on a freehold basis. Occasionally, there are leasehold properties, often referred to as cooperatives. Should you opt to purchase one of these, then you will need to be informed of the cooperative system in place.

Can I buy my property without a lawyer?Yes, theoretically it is possible, everything can be done through the local Land Registry Office. However, we strongly advise you do use a lawyer. They lawyer will represent your interests throughout the entire purchase process.

How long before I own the property?
Foreigners can buy property in their own name in certain areas of Turkey, and the process of obtaining the Title Deeds varies from resort to resort. In some areas it is as little as one months, in others, the process can take up to two - three months. A military check is carried out on the property making sure it is not in military zone before the title deeds are authorized.

Who inherits our property if one of us dies?
According to Turkish Law, the property automatically goes to spouse and children. To make amendments on the Title Deeds would involve legal assistance.

Can we take our money back out of Turkey if we sell our property?
Yes, you are able to take money back out of the country in pounds sterling or euro, via a bank is the preferred option, as this registers the money both arriving into and departing from the country. However, you will be liable to Capital Gains Tax (for the first five years), and this is on a sliding scale.

Do I have to pay taxes?
Yes, in general this is 1.5% for the buyer and 1.5% for the seller.
There is also a community tax, which is generally paid twice yearly - this is for local services and maintenance. This is very minimal in comparison to many other countries. There is also a rentals tax that should be paid if you are renting out your property.

Are there any charges when owning a property in a complex?
When purchasing a property in a complex with other homes, the average annual charge for upkeep is €200-400. The charge depends on the complex and any work that has been carried out, such as swimming pool cleaning and gardening.

Are there other costs associated with purchasing property?
Yes, these include an agency commission fee (usually around 3%), utility connection charges, mapping fees (in some resorts), and furnishing your property. We generally tend to advise clients that they should look to pay approx. 7-10% of the total value of the property, as shown on the Title Deeds, for extra costs.

Can I purchase more that one property?
Yes. Property deeds can also have more than one name on them.

Is there a limit to how much land I can own?
At the beginning of 2006, the legislation was adapted to enable foreigners - from countries where a reciprocal agreement is in place with Turkey - to purchase land in municipality areas only. Additionally, they are limited to the amount of land they can purchase - a minimum of 2.5 hectares, and a maximum of 30 hectares.

3. General questions
Are mortgages available?
Mortgages have launched in March 2007 for foreigners looking to purchase property in Turkey. We at Turkish Property World have now direct financing available with UK brokers. The mortgage is based on the actual property you buy in Turkey, and not your UK assets. Surveyors are carried out by a UK Surveyor for the property of your choice in Turkey.