How to Buy Property in Turkey from Abroad — Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

How to Buy Property in Turkey from Abroad — Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

Alanya has become one of the Mediterranean's most sought-after destinations for international property buyers. With its stunning coastline, year-round sunshine, affordable property prices, and a thriving expat community, Alanya attracts buyers from all over Europe and beyond. Whether you're looking for a holiday home, a retirement retreat, or a smart investment, Turkey's property market offers exceptional value — and buying from abroad is more straightforward than you might think.

At Alanya Eiendom, we have been guiding international buyers through the Turkish property market since 2003. This step-by-step guide is written for anyone purchasing property in Alanya from outside Turkey.

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Why Alanya?

Alanya consistently ranks among the top destinations for foreign property buyers in Turkey, and for good reason:

• Affordable Mediterranean lifestyle — property prices remain significantly lower than comparable coastal destinations in Spain, Italy, or Greece
• Strong rental yields — Alanya's booming tourism sector means excellent potential for rental income
• International airport access — Gazipaşa Airport and Antalya International Airport offer direct and connecting flights from across Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, and beyond
• Established expat communities — large communities of Norwegians, Germans, Russians, Dutch, and British nationals are already settled in areas like Mahmutlar, Avsallar, Kestel, and Oba
• Legal security for foreign buyers — Turkey has a well-established legal framework for foreign property ownership

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Step 1: Research and Shortlist Your Property

The process begins long before you arrive in Turkey. Start by browsing available listings at alanyaeiendom.com, where you can filter by location, property type, price range, and features.

Our team can arrange a live video tour of any property before you travel, so you can shortlist your favourites with confidence. Most international clients shortlist between 3 and 5 properties online before booking a viewing trip.

Tips for shortlisting:

• Decide early whether you want an apartment, villa, or off-plan project
• Consider proximity to the beach, amenities, and airport
• Think about whether you plan to use the property personally, rent it out, or both

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Step 2: The Viewing Trip

We strongly recommend a 3–5 day visit to Alanya before committing to a purchase. This gives you time to view multiple properties, explore different neighbourhoods, and get a genuine feel for the area.

At Alanya Eiendom, we provide a full viewing trip service at no cost to you:

• Airport pickup and drop-off from Gazipaşa or Antalya Airport
• Guided property viewings with full translation and explanation
• Neighbourhood tours — we show you the areas that best match your lifestyle
• No pressure — our role is to inform, not to push

Many of our clients make an offer during the viewing trip, while others return home to consider. Both approaches are perfectly normal.

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Step 3: Obtain a Turkish Tax Number (Vergi Numarası)

Every foreign buyer must obtain a Turkish tax identification number (Vergi No) before purchasing property. This is a simple process:

• Takes approximately 30 minutes at a local tax office (Vergi Dairesi)
• Requires only your valid passport
• Alanya Eiendom accompanies you to handle all translation and paperwork

The tax number is required to open a Turkish bank account, sign contracts, and complete the title deed transfer.

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Step 4: Opening a Turkish Bank Account

While not always legally mandatory, having a Turkish bank account makes the payment process significantly easier. It allows you to:

• Receive your international transfer in Turkey
• Pay ongoing costs such as utilities, management fees, and taxes
• Manage rental income if you lease the property

We can accompany you to a local branch of a major Turkish bank — the process typically takes around an hour with your passport and tax number.

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Step 5: Transferring Money from Abroad

The most common method for international buyers is a SWIFT bank transfer from your home country bank account to your Turkish bank account. Here is what to keep in mind:

• Transfers should be made in EUR or USD for ease of conversion
• Your home country bank may require documentation confirming the purpose of the transfer (property purchase)
• Currency exchange — converting your home currency to EUR or TRY — can be optimised through our recommended currency brokers, potentially saving you a meaningful percentage on larger transfers
• All funds transferred into Turkey for a property purchase must be documented, as the Turkish bank will issue a currency exchange certificate (DAB — Döviz Alım Belgesi), which is required for the title deed transfer

Important: Always ensure your international transfer is fully documented. Undocumented transfers can complicate the Tapu process.

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Step 6: Signing the Sales Agreement

Once a property and price are agreed, a preliminary sales contract (Satış Vaadi Sözleşmesi) is signed between buyer and seller. At this stage, a deposit is typically paid — usually 10–20% of the purchase price.

This contract:

• Locks in the agreed price and terms
• Sets a completion timeline
• Protects both buyer and seller

Alanya Eiendom reviews all contracts on your behalf and ensures the terms are clear and fair before you sign anything.

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Step 7: Legal Due Diligence

Before proceeding to the title deed transfer, it is essential to carry out legal due diligence on the property. This includes:

• Confirming the title deed (Tapu) is clean and free of debts, liens, or encumbrances
• Verifying planning permissions and habitation licences (Iskan)
• Checking for any outstanding utility debts on the property
• Confirming the seller's legal right to sell

We work with independent English-speaking Turkish lawyers who specialise in property transactions and can conduct full due diligence on your behalf. Engaging a lawyer is strongly recommended for all foreign buyers.

Learn more about Turkish property law at the official Turkish Land Registry and Cadastre General Directorate (TKGM).

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Step 8: Power of Attorney (Vekaletname)

If you are unable to travel to Turkey for the final title deed transfer (Tapu devri), you can grant a notarised Power of Attorney (Vekaletname) to Alanya Eiendom or your appointed lawyer to complete the purchase on your behalf.

How it works from abroad:

1. Visit a notary in your home country and sign a Power of Attorney document
2. Have the document apostilled (internationally certified) in accordance with The Hague Convention
3. Send the apostilled document to Turkey — we handle the rest

This approach is commonly used by our international clients and is fully legally recognised in Turkey. Many buyers complete their entire purchase without a second visit to Turkey.

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Step 9: The Title Deed Transfer (Tapu Devri)

The final step is the official transfer of ownership at the Land Registry Office (Tapu Müdürlüğü). At this appointment:

• Both buyer and seller (or their authorised representatives) must be present
• A sworn translator must be present if the buyer does not speak Turkish (we arrange this)
• The full purchase amount must already be transferred
• Taxes and fees are paid: 4% title deed tax (split between buyer and seller by agreement, though buyers often pay the full amount)

Once the Tapu is signed and issued in your name, you are the legal owner of the property.

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Step 10: After-Sales Support

At Alanya Eiendom, our relationship with clients does not end at the Tapu. Our after-sales team handles everything you need to settle in or manage your property from abroad:

• Utility connections — electricity (EDAŞ), water (ASAT), internet and natural gas
• DASK earthquake insurance — mandatory for all properties in Turkey
• Furniture and renovation — we can source and oversee everything
• Rental management — we handle bookings, guest communication, cleaning, and income collection if you choose to rent
• Ongoing property management — regular inspections, bill payments, and maintenance coordination

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Key Costs to Budget For

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Practical Information for International Buyers

For official information on residency and citizenship by investment, visit Republic of Turkey Ministry of Interior - Directorate General of Migration Management.

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Why Choose Alanya Eiendom?

With over two decades of experience guiding international buyers in Alanya, Alanya Eiendom is one of the region's most trusted multilingual property agencies.

• Multilingual team — we speak your language
• End-to-end service — from first viewing to after-sales management
• Independent advice — we work in your interest, not the developer's
• Established network — lawyers, notaries, currency brokers, and contractors
• Transparent process — no hidden fees, no pressure

Whether you are buying your first overseas property or adding to an existing portfolio, our team is here to make the process simple, safe, and stress-free.

Ready to start your property search? Browse current listings at alanyaeiendom.com or contact our team today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Alanya Eiendom — Your trusted partner for property in Alanya, Turkey.