The procedure of buying property in Turkey is different than what we are used to in Europe. The official property transfer does not take place in the Notary office like in Europe. Instead, buyer and seller have to go to the Communal Register together. At the moment that the registration has been completed - this can take a few months - the buyer will receive the title deed, called Tapu. In the Tapu it says the price of the property, the name of the owner and some other cadastral figures. The registration is the moment that the buyer becomes the owner of the property. The Tapu is the evidence on paper. That means that the ownership of a Tapu alone is not enough. Decisive is on which name the property is signed in, according to the cadastral data.

Where you should think of when applying for the Tapu: 

• The buyer as well as the seller have to be present in person at the Tapu office, to sign the sale papers.
• Copy of the passports of the buyers and the entire name of their father and mother.
• 2 coloured recent passport photo's.
• If the property is bought by an joint-venture, the passport copies and passport photo's of every person are needed.

The conditions for buying property in Turkey are described in the Turkish cadastrelaw par. 2644. Except for certain areas, like militairy bases, foreigners can buy property in Turkey.

Costs you should notice also:

In buying procedure:
- Conveyance duty
- Registration land register
- Application military authorisation for buying property
- Translator costs
- Tapucosts
- Iskancosts
- Possibly authorisation costs

Extra costs:
- Application electricity
- Application water
- Yearly garbage pickupservice
- Yearly conveyance duty

These costs are determined by the municipality.

1.  Address of the property you bought

2.  Passport photograph of buyer

3.  Number of the piece of land

4.  Size of the piece of land

5.  Price of property in Turkish Lira

6.  Change of ownership

7.  Name of the new owner (that is you)

8.  Date of the last TAPU

9.  Date of issue of the new TAPU

10. Date and signature of the director of the TAPU Office