If you are also planning to sell your property in Turkey, make sure to read this article carefully so you can avoid potential losses.
In recent years, the Turkish real estate market has become extremely popular, and many of our clients have chosen to purchase property as a way to obtain Turkish citizenship. Now, after several years, many of them want to sell their property and either buy another one or invest in a different opportunity.
In this article, we have explained all aspects of selling property in Turkey in a simple, practical, and concise way.
Conditions for Selling Property in Turkey
In general, the Turkish government provides two types of residency options for foreigners who purchase property:
1- Tourist Residency (Temporary Residency)
By purchasing a property worth at least $200,000, you can apply for Turkish tourist residency, which can be renewed annually.
2- Permanent Residency and Turkish Citizenship (Passport)
By purchasing a property worth at least $400,000, you can obtain permanent residency and a Turkish passport, officially becoming a Turkish citizen.
The rules for selling properties purchased for $400,000 or more are slightly different from properties purchased for tourist residency purposes (below $400,000), which we will explain briefly below.
Conditions for Selling a Property Purchased for Turkish Citizenship
As mentioned, foreigners can apply for Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property worth at least $400,000 and receive their Turkish passport after completing the required process.
However, you are not allowed to sell or transfer the property for 3 years after obtaining citizenship through that property. After this period, you can sell the property and benefit from its potential increase in value.
Very Important Note!
Citizenship is granted only once for each property title deed. This means that if you sell your property to another foreign buyer, that person cannot obtain Turkish citizenship through the same property because citizenship has already been granted based on this property.
Can You Sell Your Property to Another Foreigner or Must You Sell It to a Turkish Citizen?
Yes, you can sell your property to buyers of any nationality, and there are no restrictions regarding this matter.
In fact, it depends on the buyer’s purpose. For example, if the foreign buyer wants to obtain a Turkish passport through the property, they cannot do so because you have already obtained citizenship through this property. However, if their purpose is investment or obtaining tourist residency, there will be no problem.
Important Note!
You can also sell your property to Turkish citizens. However, since Turkish buyers usually purchase properties at slightly lower prices, many foreign owners prefer selling their properties to other foreigners. Legally, there is absolutely no restriction.
If I Sell My Property After 3 Years, Will My Citizenship Be Cancelled?
No. Your Turkish passport (citizenship) is permanent and will not be cancelled.
As mentioned earlier, you are not allowed to sell the property during the first 3 years. After that period, you can sell your property freely and continue enjoying all the benefits of Turkish citizenship.
Conditions for Selling Properties Below $400,000
If you purchased a property worth less than $400,000 and now want to sell it, you can easily sell it to either a foreigner or a Turkish citizen.
However, you should know that selling a property in Turkey (below $400,000) will cause your residency based on that property to be cancelled.
Now, you may have some questions:
What Is the Minimum Amount Required to Buy Property in Turkey?
For tourist residency purposes, you need to purchase a property with a minimum value of $200,000.
If residency is not your priority and you only want to invest, you can purchase an apartment in Istanbul or other Turkish cities with less than $150,000.
Does Buying an Affordable Apartment Provide Residency for My Spouse and Children?
Yes. If your property is worth at least $200,000, you, your spouse, and your children under 18 years old can also obtain tourist residency.
How Long Can Tourist Residency Through Property Ownership Be Renewed?
As long as the property title deed remains under your name, you can continue applying for residency based on your property ownership.
This is similar to rental-based residency; however, unfortunately, rental agreements are no longer accepted for obtaining residency in many cases.
Property Sale Regulations in Turkey (Updated 2026)
So far, we have explained the general conditions for selling property in Turkey. However, there are several important legal points you should know to avoid any potential issues.
Legal Restrictions on Selling Property in Turkey
There are no legal restrictions on selling property in Turkey.
You can sell your property at any time to any person you agree with (whether Turkish or foreign).
The only important point is for those who obtained Turkish citizenship through property investment. They must wait for 3 years before selling the property; otherwise, their citizenship may be affected.
For properties below $400,000, there is no time restriction on selling.
Providing an Expert Valuation Report (Ekspertiz)
Just as you received a property valuation report (Ekspertiz / Gayrimenkul Değerleme) when purchasing your property, you will also need this report when selling it.
What Is a Property Expert Report?
It is an official report prepared by government-approved organizations and provided to the property owner and buyer. This report determines the actual market value of the property based on various factors, preventing anyone from showing an unrealistically higher or lower price.
Presence of the Title Deed Owner During Property Transfer
In all countries, there is a legal requirement for the property owner to be present during the transfer of ownership.
If you cannot be present in Turkey, you can authorize iHomes through a power of attorney, and we can handle the process on your behalf.
However, if possible, it is always better for you to attend the process personally.
Property Insurance Is Required for Title Transfer!
If your property does not have mandatory insurance, especially earthquake insurance (DASK), you cannot transfer the title deed to another person.
Therefore, before anything else, make sure your property insurance is active.
It is also worth mentioning that even if you want to rent out your property, having valid insurance is required because these documents are necessary for utility services such as electricity, water, and gas.
Paying Property Taxes Before Title Transfer
Before transferring the title deed, all property tax debts must be cleared.
Taxes in Turkey are taken seriously, and if property taxes and municipal fees have not been paid, the title transfer cannot be completed.
We will explain property-related taxes and fees in more detail below.
Property Sale Taxes in Turkey
Before selling your property, you must pay all outstanding property taxes and municipal fees.
Generally, you may face two main costs:
1- Municipal Fees
Municipal fees vary depending on the property’s location, size, and other factors. However, they are usually not a significant amount, so there is no need to worry.
Municipal fees must be paid annually to the local municipality and can usually be paid in two installments.
The first installment must be paid between March 1 and May 31, and the second installment is paid in November.
2- Property Value Increase Tax (Capital Gains Tax)
When you sell your property, if its value has increased and you sell it at a higher price than the original purchase price, the government calculates the difference between the purchase price and the selling price (your profit).
Then, inflation adjustments are deducted from this amount, and 24% of the remaining amount is charged as tax.
Let’s explain with a simple example:
Assume you purchased a property for $400,000 and now want to sell it for $500,000.
The difference between your purchase price and the current selling price is:
$100,000
The government may deduct inflation adjustments. For example, if inflation is calculated at 10%, the taxable amount becomes:
$90,000
Then, 24% of this amount will be collected as capital gains tax.
Tax Exemption Conditions
■ You are exempt from this tax during the first year.
■ If you sell your property after 5 years, there is no capital gains tax.
How to Receive Payment After Selling Property
As explained earlier, before completing a property transaction, both the buyer and seller need to obtain an official property valuation report (Ekspertiz) to determine the property’s actual value.
However, the buyer and seller are free to agree on the price and payment method.
The common practice is that before the title deed transfer, the buyer pays at least 10% of the total amount, and the remaining amount is paid during the title transfer process.
It should be noted that all payment arrangements are subject to agreement between both parties.
Methods of Selling Property in Turkey
Generally, you have two options for selling property in Turkey:
You can either find a buyer yourself and handle the entire process directly, or you can work with a professional and officially registered real estate agency such as iHomes.
Below, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
1- Selling Property Without an Agent
You can advertise your property yourself on Turkish real estate platforms such as Sahibinden and manage all stages of the sale process without paying a real estate agency commission.
However, this requires two important conditions:
■ Full Knowledge of the Turkish Language
People in Turkey generally communicate in Turkish, and without sufficient Turkish language skills, you may face difficulties even when creating an advertisement, let alone handling official procedures.
Therefore, you will need an official translator approved by the Turkish authorities, which can involve considerable costs.
Having Turkish language skills is essential for any type of transaction in Turkey.
■ Complete Knowledge of Turkish Property Sale Laws
Since Turkish laws and regulations are different from many other countries, even a small legal mistake can lead to serious problems and financial losses.
Therefore, you should hire a qualified lawyer who can carefully handle all procedures for you without risk.
Legal fees in Turkey can also be high, and if you do not speak Turkish, you may need a translator as well, which adds additional costs.
2- Selling Property Through iHomes Real Estate Agency
Unfortunately, many people believe that real estate agents simply earn easy money, but the reality is that buying and selling property is a specialized process that requires professional knowledge and strong connections.
A successful property sale requires experience, market knowledge, and reliable networks, especially when it comes to finding qualified buyers and speeding up administrative procedures.
At iHomes, with years of experience in buying and selling properties in Turkey and a strong sales network, we can help you find the right buyer for your property and complete the entire sales process legally, securely, and with the highest possible return.
For more information, please contact iHomes so we can provide you with accurate guidance and answer your questions.
Our professional consultants are always ready to assist you with patience and expertise.