Documents Needed to Buy Property in Turkey: A Full Checklist for Foreign Buyers

Most delays in a Turkish property purchase are not caused by the property itself but by missing or inconsistent paperwork. A passport translation with a spelling difference, a currency certificate that does not match the price or a power of attorney without an apostille can postpone the land registry appointment. This checklist sets out the documents a foreign buyer usually needs, what the seller provides, and the extra papers required when you buy remotely or off-plan.

Last updated: November 2026. Requirements can change and individual land registry offices may ask for additional documents, so confirm the list before your appointment.

Quick Checklist for Foreign Buyers

• Valid passport and a notarised Turkish translation
• Recent passport-style photos
• Turkish tax number
• Foreign exchange purchase certificate (döviz alım belgesi) from a Turkish bank
• Valuation report from a licensed appraiser
• Compulsory earthquake insurance (DASK) policy for the property
• Proof that the title deed fee and land registry charges have been paid
• A sworn interpreter at the signing if you do not speak Turkish
• Power of attorney, if someone signs on your behalf

Documents You Need Before the Purchase

Passport and translation

Your passport must be valid on the day of the transfer. The land registry uses a notarised Turkish translation of the identity page, so check that your name is spelled the same way on the translation, the tax number record, the bank documents and the contract.

Turkish tax number

A tax number (vergi numarası) is needed for the transfer, for paying fees and for most bank transactions. It can be obtained quickly with your passport. See our guide to getting a Turkish tax number and bank account.

Bank account and currency certificate

Buyers without a Turkish citizenship connection generally pay in foreign currency, which must be sold to a Turkish bank before the title transfer. The bank issues a foreign exchange purchase certificate, and the land registry uses the lira amount on that certificate for the declared sale price. A local bank account is not always legally required, but in practice it makes the conversion and the certificate much easier. Read more about transferring money to Turkey to buy property.

Documents for the Title Deed Transfer

• Valuation report: foreign buyers need a valuation report prepared by an appraiser licensed by the Capital Markets Board. The land registry orders or verifies it before the transfer. Our guide to the property valuation report explains what it includes.
• DASK policy: a valid compulsory earthquake insurance policy for the property is required for the transfer.
• Fee payment: the title deed fee and the land registry service charge are paid before the appointment, and the payment is checked at the office.
• Photos: recent passport-style photos of the buyer, and of the attorney if one is used. The office will tell you how many it needs.
• Interpreter: if you do not speak Turkish, a sworn interpreter attends the signing and confirms that you understand the transaction.

The transfer itself is signed at the land registry office, after which the new title deed is issued in your name. Learn what the document shows in our guide what is a tapu in Turkey?

Documents the Seller or Developer Provides

• Title deed or title information for the property and the seller's identity document.
• Occupancy permit (iskan) for completed buildings, which confirms the building was finished according to its permit. See what is iskan in Turkey?
• Project documents for new builds: building permit, construction servitude or condominium title information and, where relevant, the invoice for VAT purposes.
• Debt and encumbrance information: confirmation that mortgages or other annotations have been removed, or will be removed at the transfer.

Do not rely only on copies supplied by the seller. An independent check of the title record is part of property due diligence.

Extra Documents If You Buy Remotely

Many foreign buyers complete the purchase without travelling by giving a power of attorney to a lawyer or trusted representative.

• Power of attorney from a Turkish consulate: usually the simplest option, because it is issued in Turkish and in the format the land registry expects.
• Power of attorney from a foreign notary: it normally needs an apostille (or consular legalisation) and a sworn Turkish translation before it can be used.
• Clear scope: the document should explicitly authorise buying property, paying fees, obtaining the tax number and DASK, and signing at the land registry.

Not sure whether you need legal support? Read do you need a lawyer to buy property in Turkey?

Extra Documents for Off-Plan Purchases

If the property is still under construction, the key document is the contract itself. For consumer purchases, it must be made at the land registry or as a notarised sale promise, and the developer must provide a pre-contract information form before you sign. Keep copies of the building permit, the payment schedule and any completion guarantee with the contract.

Documents to Keep After the Purchase

• The title deed and the transfer documents
• The valuation report and the foreign exchange purchase certificate
• The DASK policy, which must be renewed every year
• Utility subscription and building management documents

These papers are needed again when you apply for a residence permit, sell the property or rent it out. If you plan to apply for a residence permit, see our guide to short-term and family residence permits. Citizenship applications have their own document list and conditions, explained on our Turkish citizenship page.

Common Document Mistakes

• Name spelled differently on the passport translation, tax record and bank certificate
• Passport that expires before the appointment
• Currency converted without the bank issuing a purchase certificate
• Foreign power of attorney without an apostille or sworn translation
• Power of attorney that does not explicitly cover property purchase
• DASK policy issued for the wrong address or unit

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a residence permit to buy property in Turkey?

No. Foreigners can buy property with a passport and tax number. A residence permit can be applied for after the purchase if you want to stay in Turkey.

Is a valuation report mandatory for foreign buyers?

Yes. Foreign buyers need a valuation report from a licensed appraiser before the title deed transfer.

Can I buy property in Turkey without being there?

Yes. With a valid power of attorney, a representative can complete most steps and sign at the land registry on your behalf.

How long does it take to prepare the documents?

If your passport is valid and the property's records are in order, the documents can usually be prepared within days. See how long it takes to buy property in Turkey.

Ready to Start?

Follow every step of the purchase in our property buyer's guide for Turkey, explore the market in our Property Turkey guide or browse current property for sale in Turkey. Our team can also prepare your document checklist for a specific property.