Buying property in Turkey does not require a large number of documents. For a foreign buyer, the main document is a valid passport, while the remaining documents are prepared during the transaction process. The documents required depend on the status of the property, the stage of construction and whether the seller is a private owner or a developer.
The main thing is to understand in advance which documents will be needed in your specific situation and which documents should be checked with the seller, developer and for the property itself.
In this guide, we explain the main documents required to buy property in Turkey and separately look at the documents that should be checked before the purchase.
What Documents Does the Buyer Need?
To buy property in Turkey, a foreign buyer primarily needs a valid passport and a notarised translation if required for the specific procedure.
The transaction may also require a tax number or foreign identification number, photographs, a power of attorney if the buyer is not present in person, and a payment document related to the purchase, including the Döviz Alım Belgesi (DAB) — a document confirming the required conversion of foreign currency through a bank.
Checking Documents Before the Purchase
For Completed Properties
When buying a completed property, it is important to check the TAPU, İskân and Numarataj.
TAPU
TAPU is the main document related to registered ownership of the property. For the buyer, it is important not simply to see the TAPU, but to make sure that the information corresponds to the specific property and its current status. It is also important to check for any mortgages, liens, restrictions or other encumbrances. We explain TAPU, ownership verification and property registration in more detail in our dedicated guide: TAPU in Turkey.
İskân
İskân, officially Yapı Kullanma İzin Belgesi, is related to the permission to use a completed building. For a completed apartment, it is one of the important documents used to assess the status of the building and confirm that the building has completed the required occupancy procedure.
Numarataj
Numarataj is related to the official addressing and numbering of the building and individual apartments. For the buyer, it is mainly useful for checking that the address, block and apartment number correspond to the documents and the actual property. This is particularly useful in large residential complexes where there may be several blocks and many similar apartments.
Documents for Buying Property Under Construction
When buying property at an early stage of construction, a separate TAPU for the specific unit may not yet exist. It is therefore important to understand who owns the land, who is developing the project and on what basis the developer is selling the specific apartment or villa. In this case, we look not only at the future property itself, but also at the documents related to the project.
TAPU for the Land
If the project is under construction, the TAPU may be registered for the land plot. In this case, it is necessary to check who owns the land and understand how the rights to the future apartments are distributed between the landowner and the developer.
In Turkey, the arsa payı karşılığı inşaat sözleşmesi model may be used when the land does not belong to the construction company. This agreement can determine which independent units are allocated to the developer and on what basis the developer has the right to sell them.
For the buyer, this is one of the key points when purchasing property at an early stage of construction.
Building Permit (Yapı Ruhsatı)
This is one of the first documents that should be checked when buying property under construction. It shows that the project is being developed on the basis of an issued building permit and approved project documentation.
Kat İrtifakı
As the project develops, Kat İrtifakı may be established — a registered right connected to a specific future independent unit.
For the buyer, it is important to understand whether a separate registration for the specific unit already exists.
What to Check Before Paying a Deposit
Before paying a deposit, the buyer should have clear answers to several simple questions.
Who owns the property or land? Who is selling the property? Does the seller have the right to dispose of the specific apartment? Is there a Yapı Ruhsatı? If the building is completed, is there an İskân? Do the address and apartment number match the documents? What is the status of the specific unit, and when can the TAPU be registered?
These questions are particularly important when buying a new-build property, as the legal status of the apartment may change as construction progresses.
Which Documents Does Demirağ Property Help Arrange?
For a foreign buyer, the most difficult part of the process is often not choosing the property itself, but understanding the sequence of administrative procedures.
The Demirağ Property team supports the buyer throughout the preparation of the transaction. We help arrange the required documents, check the property documents and coordinate communication with the seller, developer, bank, notary and other parties involved in the process.
It is important to us that the buyer understands what they are purchasing, which documents they are signing and at what stage the transaction is. We take care of the organisational details to make buying property in Turkey clear, straightforward and as comfortable as possible for the client.
