Selling property in Turkiye without flying there.

Selling an apartment or land in Turkiye while you live in the US is usually done through a power of attorney. Three things decide whether the sale goes smoothly: a power of attorney the land registry will accept, a clean record for the property, and the Turkish tax rules on the sale. Turkish-law work is handled by the Turkish attorneys at Sonmez Partners.

1. 01

   Step 1 · Power of attorney

   The consulate route is the safest.

   Turkish consulates in the US draw up sale powers of attorney as notarial deeds, by appointment through konsolosluk.gov.tr. Bring a valid Turkish ID card, two passport photos and a copy of the title deed. The power must clearly authorize the sale.

2. 02

   Step 1 · The other route

   A US notary plus apostille is not always accepted.

   A power signed before a US notary needs an apostille and a sworn Turkish translation, and land registry offices are strict about its wording. The Los Angeles consulate, for example, excludes title-deed matters from its no-visit apostille method. Ask the land registry office before relying on it.

3. 03

   Step 2 · Before the appointment

   Clear the property tax first.

   A property with unpaid property tax (emlak vergisi) generally cannot be transferred, apart from listed exceptions such as inheritance. Settle it with the municipality, and check the title record for mortgages, liens or annotations before agreeing a price.

4. 04

   Step 3 · Title deed fee

   Each side owes its own share.

   The title deed fee is charged on the sale price declared at the land registry, and minimum values can apply. The seller and the buyer each owe a share. Who pays is often negotiated, but each party stays liable for its own share by law.

5. 05

   Step 4 · Turkish tax on the gain

   Held for five years? Usually no tax.

   • A gain is taxable in Turkiye only if the property is sold within 5 years of acquisition
   • Property acquired by inheritance or gift is excluded
   • Residents declare a taxable gain on 1–31 March of the following year, after an annual exemption (TRY 150,000 for 2026)
   • A non-resident seller who does not otherwise file an annual return files a separate return within 15 days of the sale, at the tax office where the property is
6. 06

   Coming soon

   A secure payment system for sales.

   Turkiye has announced a secure payment system that holds the price until the title is transferred. Its start date has been postponed more than once, and which sales it will cover is still being set. We will update this guide when it applies.