Buying Property in Turkey from Saudi Arabia: A Guide for Saudi Buyers
A practical guide for Saudi citizens and Saudi-based residents buying property in Turkey: travel, payments from Saudi banks, documents, citizenship for families and where Saudi buyers look in Istanbul.
Turkey is one of the closest and most familiar overseas property markets for Saudi families: a four-hour flight from Riyadh or Jeddah, visa-free travel, a large Arabic-speaking community in Istanbul and family-oriented compounds with pools and gardens. This guide explains how to buy property in Turkey from Saudi Arabia, step by step, with the points that are specific to Saudi buyers. For the region as a whole, see our guide to buying property in Turkey from the Gulf.
Can Saudi Citizens Buy Property in Turkey?
Yes. Saudi citizens can buy apartments, villas, commercial units and land in Turkey in their own name, under the same rules as other foreign buyers: up to 30 hectares per person, within the 10% foreign-ownership limit in each district and outside military zones. Residents of Saudi Arabia who hold another nationality buy under the rules for their own passport. Our guide to Turkish property law for foreigners explains the limits.
Why Saudi Buyers Choose Turkey
- Easy travel. Since late 2023, Saudi citizens can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, which makes viewing trips and summer stays simple.
- A dollar-based budget. The Saudi riyal is pegged to the US dollar at 3.75, and most Turkish projects sold to foreigners are priced in dollars, so your budget in riyals stays predictable even when the lira moves.
- Family compounds. Istanbul developments in areas such as Başakşehir, Bahçeşehir and Büyükçekmece offer gated compounds with pools, playgrounds and security that suit large families.
- Citizenship for the whole family. A qualifying purchase can bring Turkish citizenship for you, your spouse and children under 18.
Where Saudi Buyers Look in Istanbul
| Area | Why Saudi families like it | Example price in our listings |
|---|---|---|
| Başakşehir and Bahçeşehir | Large modern compounds, parks, mosques and Arabic-speaking schools nearby | from about USD 280,000 |
| Beylikdüzü | Newer residential area near the Marmara coast with lower prices | from about USD 130,000 |
| Büyükçekmece | Sea-facing projects and villas for summer living | from about USD 290,000; villas from about USD 2.3 million |
| Sarıyer and the Bosphorus | Green, prestigious neighbourhoods with Bosphorus views | from about USD 350,000 |
Prices from Bigist Invest listings, November 2026. Browse all property for sale in Istanbul or read about living in Başakşehir.
How to Buy Property in Turkey from Saudi Arabia, Step by Step
- Shortlist online and plan a viewing trip. Use the visa-free entry to visit for a few days; many buyers combine viewings with a family holiday.
- Get a Turkish tax number and bank account. Both can be arranged in a day in Istanbul or through a representative.
- Sign a power of attorney if you return home. A power of attorney signed at the Turkish Embassy in Riyadh or the Consulate General in Jeddah lets a lawyer complete the purchase for you. See power of attorney for buying property in Turkey.
- Transfer the funds from your Saudi bank. Send US dollars by bank transfer (SWIFT) to your Turkish account in your own name. For citizenship purchases the money must arrive from abroad and be converted at a Turkish bank, which issues the foreign exchange purchase certificate (DAB).
- Due diligence, valuation and transfer. Your lawyer checks the title deed, a licensed appraiser values the property and the title deed is transferred at the land registry. Read the full legal process of buying property in Turkey.
Paying Without Interest
Most Saudi buyers pay in cash, and many off-plan projects offer interest-free instalment plans directly from the developer, typically with a down payment of 30% to 50% and the balance spread until completion. Turkish participation (Islamic) banks offer profit-sharing home finance, but loans to non-resident foreigners are limited, so plan to fund the purchase yourself. Our guide to off-plan payment plans and buyer protection explains how to secure instalment payments.
Turkish Citizenship for Saudi Families
Saudi Arabia does not generally allow dual nationality without permission, so Saudi citizens should take advice on their own legal position before applying for Turkish citizenship. Many Saudi buyers therefore buy for a family home, residence and rental income rather than citizenship. For Saudi-based residents of other nationalities, a purchase of at least USD 400,000 held for three years can lead to citizenship for the whole family. Read more on Turkish citizenship by investment.
Documents Saudi Buyers Need
- Valid passport, translated into Turkish by a sworn translator
- Turkish tax number and bank account details
- For a power of attorney: passport and photographs, signed at a Turkish mission
- For citizenship or family residence: marriage and birth certificates, apostilled in Saudi Arabia and translated into Turkish
New to the market? Our Property Turkey buyer's guide covers costs, cities and the buying process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Saudi citizens need a visa to buy property in Turkey?
No visa is needed to buy, and Saudi citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days in 180 days. Staying longer requires a residence permit, which property ownership can support.
Can I pay in Saudi riyals?
Prices are normally agreed in US dollars or lira. Because the riyal is pegged to the dollar, most buyers convert riyals to dollars at their Saudi bank and transfer dollars.
Can I rent out my property when I am not in Turkey?
Yes. Many Saudi owners use their Istanbul home in summer and let it the rest of the year through a management company. See our property management service.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Check nationality and tax rules for your own situation before you buy.