home Property Turkey Blog Can foreigners buy property in Turkey? Who can buy a Turkish home?

Can foreigners buy property in Turkey? Who can buy a Turkish home?

By: Cameron Deggin

Buying property in Turkey

Who can buy a property in Turkey?

Can foreigners buy property in Turkey? Citizens of just about every country in the world can buy property in Turkey. That includes buyers from the United Kingdom, Europe, the US and the Middle East. In fact, buying property in Turkey is out of bounds for the citizens of just five countries: Syria, Armenia, North Korea, Nigeria and Cuba. Everyone else, can buy a property. 

Citizens of some countries - for example, Iraqis, Iranians and Palestinians - must obtain permission from the interior ministry before purchasing, while others aren't permitted to purchase agricultural land in Turkey.

However, for the vast majority of overseas buyers, purchasing property in Turkey is simple. The Turkish government has streamlined the property buying process so efficiently that for most, buying Turkish property is a fast and easy exercise that can usually be completed much quicker than in other countries.

And our clients have little to worry about: at Property Turkey, we're adept at navigating the Turkish property buying process right by your side, with our in-house team of lawyers and consultants providing a complete service from start to finish.


Who buys property in Turkey?

In 2019, foreign buyers bought more than 45,000 Turkish properties throughout the country, representing an impressive 15% increase over 2018. Iraqis were the top buyers, followed by Iranians, Russians, Saudis and Afghans who all purchased homes or obtained citizenship by investment. 


Where do foreigners buy property in Turkey?

Last year, Istanbul was the top choice for foreign buyers, with 20,857 property sales in Istanbul. Antalya was in second place, with foreign buyers snapping up almost 9,000 units in total. Ankara took third place with 2,539 sales completed and Bursa was in fourth with 2,213 total sales.

British buyers prefer property along the Turkish Mediterranean coastline, in the Mugla region (which includes Fethiye and Bodrum) and Antalya (Antalya City, Kas, Belek and Side). These areas began as holiday home strongholds but are now home to a sizeable expat population hailing from the UK and all over Europe. All of these areas are serviced by international airports with easy access back home. 


What kind of property can foreigners buy in Turkey?

Most buyers are entitled to own up to 30 hectares of property, so long as it’s not within a zone decreed to be military. Foreign buyers are also restricted as to the size of land they can buy: it must not be greater than 10% of the town’s total land area.


Do I need to be a resident to buy property in Turkey?

It’s not necessary to be a resident when you buy property in Turkey. However, as a new property buyer you are automatically granted a year’s Turkish residence permit.

New buyers are also eligible for Turkish citizenship by investment when they buy a home valued at a minimum of $250,000. This opportunity has been snapped up by thousands of foreign buyers, but is expected to be a temporary incentive.

Recommended
brochure image
BUYER GUIDE

The Definitive guide to buying property in Turkey

Download it now
Macoeconomic And
Invesment
Analysis



Download it now download