FAQ
- What documents are required for real estate registration in Turkey?
For real estate registration in Turkey, only a valid passport is necessary.
- What additional expenses are there when purchasing property?
When obtaining a title deed (TAPU), a purchase tax is paid, amounting to 4% of the declared property value at the Cadastre Office, cadastre fees (approximately 100 euros), a fixed fee determined by the Regional Cadastre Office, a sworn translator's service fee (around 30 euros), property appraisal fee (around 150 euros), and a brokerage fee of 3% of the actual property value.
= Can foreigners get a loan from a Turkish bank?
Currently, Turkish banks do not provide loans to foreign citizens, except for those who permanently reside in Turkey, have the right to work, and an official salary. For those interested in purchasing property with credit, we recommend looking into properties with interest-free installment options.
- What documents are required for obtaining a residence permit (VKN)?
The following documents are needed for obtaining a residence permit:
TAPU, a document with a recent date from the Cadastre Office, confirming ownership of the property to the present day,
Copies of passport pages containing personal data and a photo, as well as pages with entry stamps into the country (originals are required during the immigration service appointment),
4 biometric photos taken within the last 6 months,
Original marriage certificate and its translation, notarized by a Turkish notary (an apostille is required for notarization),
Original birth certificates of children and their translations, notarized,
Medical insurance for each family member,
Bank statement proving sufficient funds for living,
Criminal record certificate translated and notarized,
Bank statement confirming payment of taxes and the personal ID document issued by the Turkish Government,
Petition.
- Whose name should the TAPU be registered under to obtain a residence permit?
The TAPU can be registered under the name of either spouse to apply for a residence permit for the whole family.
- What rights does a foreign citizen have regarding the purchased property?
Non-residents in Turkey have the same rights as Turkish citizens, including the ability to sell, rent, inherit, and gift their property.
- What is the difference between the terms "apartment" and "flat"?
In Turkey, "apartment" refers to a flat in a residential building. Due to potential differences in terminology in your country, it's recommended to clarify the purpose of the property. If the property is registered as an office or commercial space in the Cadastre Office, a residence permit cannot be obtained. Residence permits are only issued for properties designated as residential.
- Property area?
The area of the property that construction companies and agencies provide is referred to as the gross area. This includes the entire area of the apartment including balconies and walls, plus a share of the area of staircases, elevators, and common infrastructure of the complex. The net area refers to the actual area of the apartment, indicating the total area of all rooms and spaces, measured from the inner part of the walls of rooms and balconies.
- What documents are required for real estate?
TAPU - Title Deed Document
ISKAN - Technical Passport of the Property (In Turkey, ISKAN confirms the completion of the property and the right to inhabit it).
- What amount of money can be transferred to your account in Turkey?
The Turkish government does not limit the incoming funds. Currently, from Russia, it's possible to transfer up to 1,000,000 USD or the equivalent amount into your account per month.
- Which districts are closed for residence permits?
As of July 1, 2022, a new regulation came into effect, stipulating that new residence permits will not be issued to foreigners in areas where the foreign population exceeds 20% of the total population. As a result, the list of closed districts for residence permits has increased to 1200 from the original 781. In closed districts, it's only possible to renew residence permits or apply for Turkish citizenship.
Please request the full list of closed districts from your manager.
- Through which banks can transactions to Turkey be made?
Due to sanctions, the following Russian banks have been disconnected from SWIFT transfers: Sberbank, VTB, "Otkritie" Bank, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, "Bank Russia", Moscow Credit Bank, Russian Agricultural Bank, and Sovcombank. Other banks continue to facilitate transactions to Turkey.
- What amount of cash can be taken out of Russia?
Currently, you can take out no more than 10,000 USD or the equivalent in foreign currency, or the equivalent in rubles of 10,000 USD. If the amount exceeds this, it needs to be declared.
- Do Turkish banks require documents about the origin of funds?
Banks in Turkey do not require documents about the origin of funds.
- Will Banks, the Tax Authority, or the Cadastre Office inform about my assets or funds?
Government institutions and banks in Turkey do not report on the assets of foreign individuals.
- What are the property maintenance expenses?
Everyone who owns or rents a property pays monthly fees for maintenance called "aidat". Aidat includes all complex or communal expenses. The amount is determined by the complex management during resident meetings, and the decision is recorded in the complex management book and notarized.
- Is it necessary to sign a sales contract at a notary?
In Turkey, there's no requirement to sign a sales contract in a notary. A contract signed within private companies holds equivalent value in case of legal proceedings. During the property registration process at the Cadastre Office, a deed of conveyance of ownership rights is signed in the presence of a sworn translator, along with the previously signed sales contract, including the notarized one, if applicable. This notarized contract is not required for obtaining a TAPU.
- Taxation upon selling property?
Income derived from selling property in Turkey is subject to taxation. If the property owner is a legal entity, the corporate tax is 20%. Individuals are not required to pay tax if they have owned the property in Turkey for at least 5 years. The percentage of the income tax ranges from 15% to 35%.
- Taxation when renting out property?
According to Turkish taxation laws, the amount received from renting out property is subject to tax ranging from 15% to 35%. The exact percentage is determined based on the income after deducting the tax-exempt amount.
- What is the purpose of an appraisal?
For foreign individuals, obtaining a property appraisal is mandatory for registering real estate at the Cadastre Office. The amount stated in the appraisal report is informational for the Cadastre Office and is not an official property value, except in cases of applying for Turkish citizenship.
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