How to buy an apartment in Istanbul as a foreigner (2026): the steps in order

Short answer: Foreigners can buy an apartment in Istanbul in their own name, within limits set by Turkish law. The usual order is: choose the exact unit, get a Turkish tax number, check the title deed, sign the contract in the form the law requires, get a valuation report, pay through a bank and sign the official deed at the Land Registry office. No residence permit is needed.

Who this applies to: foreign individuals buying a home in Istanbul · As of: 31 October 2026

Can foreigners buy property in Istanbul?

Yes. Foreign nationals of the countries determined by the President can buy property in their own name. According to Invest in Türkiye, the official investment office, three limits apply:

Limit	What it means for you
Up to 30 hectares per foreign individual	Not a concern for an apartment purchase
Foreign ownership capped at 10% of a district’s private-property area	In rare cases a district or area can be closed to new foreign purchases
Military and special security zones	Property in prohibited military zones cannot be bought; special security zones need the governor’s permission

Which nationalities can buy, and on what conditions, is decided by the President under Article 35 of the Land Registry Law (No. 2644), not by the seller.

What are the steps to buy an apartment in Istanbul?

The table shows the usual order for a ready or off-plan apartment bought from a developer. Details differ by project.

#	Step	What to ask or check
1	Decide the purpose and shortlist units	Home, holiday home or investment; district, size, delivery stage, budget and payment currency
2	Confirm the exact unit	Block, floor, unit number, what the price includes, and the payment plan in writing
3	Get a Turkish tax number	A Turkish tax or foreigner ID number must appear on the title deed; the Land Registry can usually obtain a foreigner ID number for you, but banks typically ask for a tax number, so get one early
4	Check the title deed and the project	Who the registered owner or developer is, and whether there is a mortgage, lien or other restriction; for off-plan units, the building permit and the condominium servitude (kat irtifakı); for finished buildings, the occupancy permit and condominium ownership (kat mülkiyeti)
5	Sign the contract in the form the law requires	A promise-to-sell contract for an off-plan unit is valid only if made before a notary; the sale itself is completed by an official deed signed at the Land Registry. A private written sale agreement does not transfer ownership. Get a full translation before you sign
6	Get a valuation report	In most purchases by foreign buyers, the Land Registry requires a valuation report from a licensed valuation firm, applied for via Web Tapu; a report can be used for 12 months
7	Pay through a bank	Pay to an account in the seller’s name and keep every receipt; avoid cash
8	Take out earthquake insurance	Mandatory earthquake insurance is required for buildings, according to Invest in Türkiye
9	Book the Land Registry appointment	The seller and buyer apply together, online through the Land Registry’s Web Tapu portal (the old randevu.tkgm.gov.tr address now opens it) or through the Alo 181 call centre
10	Sign the official deed at the Land Registry office	Bring your passport and photos; a certified interpreter is needed if you do not speak Turkish
11	Pay the title deed fee and register utilities	The fee is set by law and charged separately to the buyer and the seller; ask for the exact amount in writing before the appointment

Which documents will you need?

Invest in Türkiye lists these documents for the title deed application:

• passport or photo ID (non-Latin-alphabet IDs need a notarised, certified translation)
• photographs
• a document on the current market value of the property
• the mandatory earthquake insurance policy
• a certified interpreter, if you do not speak Turkish

Your lawyer or agent should confirm the current list before the appointment, because the Land Registry can ask for more depending on the case.

Do you need a residence permit, and do you get one?

You do not need a residence permit to buy. Invest in Türkiye states that property owners can apply for a renewable short-term residence permit; the legal basis is Article 31(1)(b) of Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection. The qualifying property type and value are set by the Ministry of Interior and applied by the Presidency of Migration Management; check its current list before relying on this route.

Can you buy without travelling to Istanbul?

Usually yes, through a power of attorney given to someone you trust, often your lawyer. Have it drawn up for this specific purchase either at a Turkish consulate, or before a notary in your country in full notarial form with your photo and an apostille attached. The Land Registry also requires a notarised Turkish translation. A signature-only certification is not accepted. Ask who will hold the title deed afterwards.

Does buying an apartment give you citizenship?

Not automatically. Citizenship through property is a separate procedure with its own conditions, including a minimum value of USD 400,000 and a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed. The final decision is made by the President. Read Turkish citizenship through property: the USD 400,000 condition before you let citizenship decide a purchase.

How do you protect yourself during the purchase?

Check the agency’s authorisation certificate, the seller’s ownership and every payment route before you pay. Our checklist for avoiding property scams in Istanbul shows how to check each one with official tools.

What should you ask for before you pay a deposit?

1. The documents for the exact unit. The title deed record or, for an off-plan unit, the developer’s documents for that unit, including its condominium status and the building permit.
2. Proof of authority to sign. Ask who signs for the seller or developer, and on what authority.
3. The draft contract and a full translation. Have both reviewed by a lawyer you choose, independent of the seller and the agency.
4. An interpreter, if you need one. A certified interpreter is required at the Land Registry if you do not speak Turkish.
5. A narrow power of attorney, if you will not travel. Limit it to this purchase and know how to cancel it.