Selling a home you own abroad can feel complicated, and foreigners selling property in Turkey usually worry about the same three things: the paperwork, the tax, and getting the money out of the country afterwards. Here is the short answer. A foreign owner can sell Turkish property to any buyer, Turkish or foreign, through the Land Registry (Tapu ve Kadastro), and the transfer itself is often completed in a single appointment once the file is ready. The work is in the preparation.
At Gordion Partners we are an advisory firm in central Istanbul that guides foreign owners through this process, and selling real estate in Turkey is work we handle every week. This guide explains how foreigners selling property in Turkey complete a sale from start to finish, what documents you need, the taxes that apply, and how to send your proceeds home.
Can foreigners sell property in Turkey?
Yes, foreigners can sell property in Turkey on the same basis as the original purchase. If you were able to buy the property as a foreign national, you are able to sell it, and you can sell to a Turkish citizen, another foreigner, or a company. The sale is registered at the local Land Registry Office, which is part of the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Tapu ve Kadastro). Ownership passes only when the new title deed (tapu) is signed there, not when a private contract is agreed.
The same rules that limit foreign ownership at the time of purchase, such as restrictions near military zones, do not create new problems when you sell. They mostly affect who your buyer can be. If your buyer is also a foreign national, their nationality and the location of the property still have to clear the standard checks, which can add time.
What documents you need before you sell
A smooth sale starts with a complete document file. Selling real estate in Turkey requires a specific set of papers, and missing one is the most common reason an appointment is postponed. You will usually need the following.
- The original title deed (tapu) for the property in your name.
- Your passport and, in most cases, a notarised Turkish translation of it.
- Your Turkish tax number, which any foreigner can obtain from the local tax office or online.
- A property valuation report from an authorised appraiser (explained below).
- Compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) that is current for the property.
- A recent property tax clearance from the municipality, confirming there are no unpaid local taxes.
- Biometric photographs, usually two, taken recently.
If the property is held by more than one owner, every owner has to be represented at the signing, either in person or through a power of attorney. Requirements can change and vary by city, so confirm your own list with an advisor before you book the appointment.
How foreigners selling property in Turkey complete the sale, step by step
The process of how to sell property in Turkey as a foreigner follows a clear sequence. Knowing the order helps you avoid wasted trips to the Land Registry.
- Agree the price and terms with your buyer, ideally in writing.
- Obtain the valuation report, which is mandatory whenever a foreign national is on either side of the sale.
- Clear any debts on the property, including local property tax, DASK insurance, and utility accounts.
- Apply to the Land Registry Office for a transfer appointment. The buyer usually pays a deposit at this stage under a private agreement.
- Pay the title deed transfer fee, then attend the appointment, where both sides sign and the new tapu is issued on the spot.
From a ready file to a signed deed, the active part of selling real estate in Turkey is often a matter of a few weeks, though the time you spend finding a buyer is separate and depends entirely on the market. For owners abroad, knowing how to sell property in Turkey as a foreigner without travelling is often the real question, and the power of attorney route below answers it.
Taxes when selling property in Turkey as a foreigner
The main tax to plan for when selling property in Turkey as a foreigner is capital gains tax. Capital gains tax on property sale in Turkey applies to the profit you make, that is the difference between your indexed purchase price and your sale price, not the full sale amount. As of the time this article is written, a key relief applies: if you have owned the property for more than five years before selling, the gain is generally exempt from this tax for individuals. Sell inside five years, and the gain is added to your annual income and taxed on a progressive scale.
Two points soften the figure. First, the original purchase cost is adjusted for inflation using an official index before the gain is calculated, which reduces the taxable amount. Second, there is a small annual exemption threshold that is updated each year.
Beyond capital gains tax on property sale in Turkey, expect the title deed transfer fee in Turkey, which by law is around four percent of the declared sale value as of the time this article is written. In principle it is split between buyer and seller, though local practice on who actually pays varies. Tax rates and thresholds change every year, so confirm the current numbers with an advisor and the Turkish Revenue Administration before you commit to a price.
The mandatory property valuation report
A property valuation report is required by law in any sale that involves a foreign national. The report is prepared by an appraiser licensed by the Capital Markets Board, and it states the official market value the Land Registry will use as a minimum reference for the transaction. You cannot declare a value far below it.
The valuation protects everyone, but it has practical effects on the seller. It sets a floor under the declared price, which in turn affects the transfer fee and the recorded gain. The report is generally valid for a limited window, often around three months, so it makes sense to order it once you have a serious buyer rather than far in advance. Budget a modest fixed fee for it, and treat the appraiser’s figure as the anchor for your negotiations.
Transferring your sale proceeds out of Turkey
Foreigners can transfer their sale proceeds out of Turkey, and there is no general ban on moving the money abroad. The proceeds are normally paid into a Turkish bank account, then wired to your account overseas. Banks will ask for the new title deed and evidence of the source of funds, so keep every document from both the original purchase and the sale.
One detail matters if you originally brought foreign currency into Turkey to buy: keeping the bank receipts from that inbound transfer makes the outbound transfer cleaner and helps your bank process it without delay. If you bought through a company or financed the purchase, the paperwork is more involved, and this is a point where advice in advance saves time.
Selling in person or by power of attorney
Many foreign owners are not in Turkey when they decide to sell, and you do not have to be. You can grant a power of attorney to a trusted person in Turkey, prepared at a Turkish notary or at a Turkish consulate abroad, authorising them to sign the deed on your behalf. The two routes compare like this.
- Selling in person: you attend the Land Registry yourself, which means travel and scheduling, but you keep full control and sign the deed in person. This suits owners who are already in Turkey.
- Selling by power of attorney: you do not need to be in Turkey at all. You arrange a notarised power of attorney in advance and delegate the signing to your representative. This suits owners living abroad.
A power of attorney should be drafted carefully so it covers exactly the powers needed for the sale and no more. We help owners scope it correctly so they keep control while staying abroad.
How Gordion Partners helps foreigners selling property in Turkey
Selling real estate in Turkey is mostly a problem of sequence and documents, and that is where an advisor earns their place. At Gordion Partners we review your title and tax position, order the valuation, prepare a complete Land Registry file, coordinate the appointment, and guide the transfer of your proceeds afterwards. We work with foreign owners in English, French, Turkish, Russian and Chinese, and we are based in central Istanbul, so you can reach us at any stage. If you are weighing a sale, contact us for more information and we will map out your specific case. Helping foreigners selling property in Turkey through each of these steps is part of what we do every week.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to sell property in Turkey as a foreigner without travelling?
You can sell without travelling by granting a power of attorney to a trusted representative in Turkey. The document can be prepared at a Turkish consulate in your country or at a notary in Turkey, and it lets your representative sign the title deed on your behalf at the Land Registry.
Do foreigners pay capital gains tax when selling property in Turkey?
Foreigners may pay capital gains tax on property sale in Turkey if they sell within five years of buying. As of the time this article is written, individuals who have owned the property for more than five years are generally exempt, and the taxable gain is adjusted for inflation before tax is calculated.
Is a valuation report mandatory when selling?
Yes, a property valuation report from a licensed appraiser is mandatory in any sale involving a foreign national. It sets the minimum value the Land Registry will record for the transaction.
Can I transfer the sale money to my home country?
Yes, you can transfer your sale proceeds abroad. The money is usually paid into a Turkish bank account first, then wired overseas once you show the bank the new title deed and proof of the source of the funds.
How long does it take to sell property in Turkey?
Once you have a buyer and a complete document file, the official transfer at the Land Registry is often completed within a few weeks. Finding a buyer is separate and depends on the local market.
What is the title deed transfer fee?
The title deed transfer fee is set by law at around four percent of the declared sale value as of the time this article is written. In principle it is shared between buyer and seller, though who actually pays is often negotiated.
Do I need a Turkish tax number to sell?
Yes, you need a Turkish tax number to complete the sale and to handle any tax that arises. Any foreign national can obtain one quickly from a local tax office or online.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and you are strongly advised to consult a professional to evaluate your personal situation. No liability is accepted that may arise from the use of the information in this article.
