Top 5 Asked Questions Regarding Property Acquisition By Foreigners

1) Is a translated copy of the passport required?

• As regulated in our communiqué on “validation of identity in foreigners’ land registry transactions” no.2013/13, Turkish translations of passports and foreign country identity cards with an alphabet other than the Roman alphabet may be requested by the Directorate of Land Registry if required; however, Turkish translation will not be requested for passports or national identity cards issued in the Roman alphabet.

2) Is the transfer of property to foreign origin real persons by inheritance possible?

• Transfer of property to foreign origin real persons by inheritance is possible. However, if the transferred property is located in a zone where a real person may not acquire a property; the property is required to be sold or liquidated otherwise after the transfer. Furthermore, in the event of transfer of property by inheritance to a person who is from a country not include in the list of Article 35, the property in question must be sold or liquidated otherwise after the transfer.

3) Are there any liabilities required on the part of a foreigner who acquires a land without any building?

• Any foreigner who acquires a land without any building is required to develop a project on the acquired land within 2 years from the date of acquisition, and submit the project for the approval of the related ministry depending on the type of the project. The time frame for completing the project shall be determined by the relevant ministry. (Review of regulations to extend the time frame is underway).

4) Is blue card valid as an identity certificate?

• The General Directorate of Census and Citizenship started the Blue Card arrangement on 12 April 2013, and Blue Cards issued after that date may be used as an identity certificate on their own. Documents issued before 12 April 2013 regarding the use of rights reserved in Law 4112/5203 (Blue/Pink Card), shall continue being considered together with the identity card from the country or passport. Transactions of individuals who apply with a passport or an identity card from their countries without presenting their Blue Cards but having the rights provided in Law 5901 shall be carried out after they are queried on the blue card log of the central civil registration system (MERNIS) or through the query of the census registry to be obtained from the civil registry for this purpose.

5) How to appraise value for properties required for citizenship at land registry?

• The sum of receipts evidencing payments must have a value equal to USD 250,000 according to the USD selling exchange rate of the Central Bank of Turkey on the date prior to the date of deposit. The amounts listed in the appraisal report and the official bill may not be less than the sum of values in the receipt