Purchase of real estate in Turkey for most far-sighted buyers — This is a serious step, when taking all conditions and factors should be taken into account. In particular, in addition to the liquidity and characteristics of the property, it is important to understand the country's legislation governing the transfer of ownership of real estate by inheritance.
How is real estate inheritance carried out in Turkey, what rights are given to foreign owners, how to draw up a will, enter into an inheritance, and how much does it cost? We will tell you in detail in our expert article.
Content of the article:
- Law on inheritance of real estate in Turkey
- Drafting a will
- Inheritance of real estate in Turkey in the absence of a will
- How inheritance is divided between relatives in Turkey
- Inheritance of real estate in Turkey for foreigners
- Registration of inheritance in Turkey
- Forms of wills in Turkey
- The procedure for entering into inheritance in Turkey
- Inheritance tax in Turkey
Law on inheritance of real estate in Turkey
Inheritance law in Turkey applies to both local citizens and foreigners who own homes in the eastern state. That is, a foreign citizen legally has the opportunity to register an inheritance for the transfer of his property located on the territory of the Republic of Turkey, if all legal directives are followed.
The key aspects of Turkish inheritance law are:
Making a will
As in any other civilized state, Turkish citizens have the opportunity to make a will. Foreigners are also entitled to the same rights, according to the “principle of reciprocity.” But for the document to be legal, it must be drawn up taking into account the articles of the Turkish Civil Code.
Basic requirements for the person making a will:
- age — at least 15 years;
- adequate mental state.
If the heir/heirs do not agree with the way the property is divided, they have the opportunity to file a petition for review of the document in accordance with the procedure provided for by Turkish laws. Any claims related to the determination of inheritance rights in Turkey are considered by the magistrate court and the court of first instance. It is quite difficult to predict the duration of the litigation process. The deadline is determined by the workload of the legal authority and the complexity of the case.
Inheritance of real estate in Turkey in the absence of a will
If a will has not been drawn up, Turkish law provides for a certain hierarchy or order of succession:
- Children and spouse have first priority of inheritance.
- If there are no offspring and no husband/wife, then the inheritance is transferred to the parents.
- If the parents die, the right to succession passes to the brothers and sisters, and then — to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
If the owner has no heirs, the accumulated benefits are transferred to the disposal of the Turkish government.
How is inheritance divided between relatives in Turkey
Inherited shares between relatives are distributed as follows:
- The inheritance is divided into equal parts between the husband/wife and children.
- The heir-spouses together with their children receive ¼ property.
- The spouse sharing the inheritance with the parents and their children receives the half prescribed by law.
- If the deceased's estate is to be divided between the spouse and the grandparents and their children, they are entitled to ¾ shares according to law.
Important! The Civil Code regulates the distribution of property between relatives, providing for some restrictions. In the inheritance law of the Turkish Republic, there is such a thing as a “reserved part”. This is that part of the share of the inheritance established by law to which heirs without a will have full rights.
The reserved portions of the share provided by law are distributed as follows:
- no more than 75% — children.
- no more than 50% — father and mother.
- no more than 25% — brothers and sisters
- no more than 50% — spouse without children.
If the heir is a minor child, the right to manage the property is given to his officially married father or mother, or third parties (guardians) determined by the court if there are no parents.
Inheritance of real estate in Turkey for foreigners
Turkish legislation regarding the inheritance rights of foreigners in Turkey is based on the “principle of reciprocity”. Thus, automatic inheritance of real estate in Turkey by a citizen of the Russian Federation is not possible. To transfer the rights to inherit their Turkish apartments, Russian owners must draw up a legally valid will.
The process of preparing documents for inheriting real estate located abroad requires a serious and professional approach. And, as a rule, in this matter you cannot do without the help of a good lawyer. Since an apartment or house in Turkey is a profitable and reliable asset, it is very important that it remains in the family, regardless of the circumstances.
This boutique hotel in the Gazipaşa district of Alanya was built in 2026 and accommodates 56 guests. Its 28 single-bedroom rooms, each 20 square meters in size, are located on the first, second, and third floors. All rooms are furnished and feature a balcony and a bathroom. The hotel is 1,200 meters from the sea, 150 meters from the city center, and five minutes from the airport.
1+0
20 m²
11093
This unfurnished 80 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the second floor of a building built in 2022 in the center of Alanya, in the Saray neighborhood, next to Cleopatra Beach. The apartment has two bedrooms, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
2+1
80 m²
11092
This 55 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in the central part of Alanya, in the Saray neighborhood, next to Cleopatra Beach. It is on the second floor of a building built in 2022 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
55 m²
11091
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the upper Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2024 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 1,500 m, and to the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
60 m²
11090
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2009. It offers sea views and residence permit options. The apartment is delivered furnished and includes a living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and two balconies. It is 200 m from the sea and 50 m from the city center.
2+1
110 m²
11089
This 3+1 duplex apartment, measuring 160 sq m, is located on the ninth and tenth floors of a building built in 2023 in the Mahmutlar district. The layout includes a living room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is delivered unfurnished and is suitable for citizenship applications. The distance to the sea is 450 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
3+1, Duplex
160 m²
11088
This furnished 1+1 apartment, measuring 48 m², is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2014 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It features a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 700 m, and to the city center is 150 m. The property is eligible for a residence permit.
1+1
48 m²
11086
This 1+1 apartment, 58 sq m, in Nizhnyaya Oba, Obagel, is located on the third floor of a building built in 2016 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one glassed-in balcony. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
1+1
58 m²
11085
This 70 sq m 1+1 apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the third floor of a building built in 2015 and is delivered furnished. The apartment has one bathroom and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 600 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
70 m²
11084
This 1+1 apartment, measuring 52 m², is located on the second floor of a building built in 2010 in the Güllerpınarı district, in central Alanya. The apartment is delivered furnished and is suitable for a residence permit. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 200 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
1+1
52 m²
11083
This 2+1 garden duplex apartment, measuring 100 m², in the Avsallar neighborhood occupies the first and second floors of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,000 m, and to the city center is 850 m.
2+1, Duplex
100 m²
11082
This furnished 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 110 m², is located on the ninth floor of a ten-story building in the Mahmutlar district. The building was built in 2021. The two-level apartment features two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 350 m.
2+1, Duplex
110 m²
11081
This 40 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Kestel district of Alanya is being delivered furnished. It is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2015, 450 meters from the sea and 100 meters from the city center. The apartment has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony.
1+1
40 m²
11080
This 2+1 duplex apartment in Verkhnyaya Oba is 112 m² and is located on the fourth floor of a five-story building built in 2023. The apartment is delivered with new luxury furniture. The two-level layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,500 m, and to the city center is 1,000 m.
2+1, Duplex
112 m²
11079
This three-story, 6+2-bedroom villa, 300 m² in the Oba district of Alanya, is being delivered furnished. The house has five bathrooms and six balconies, and on the 800 m² plot, there is an additional one-bedroom cottage for guests or a helper. Built in 2024, the villa occupies the first, second, and third floors. It is 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.
1+0, 6+2
300 m²
11078
This 3+1 duplex apartment, measuring 135 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors of a building built in 2010 in Nizhnyaya Oba, Alanya. The apartment is delivered furnished. The layout includes three bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, two balconies, and a terrace. The sea is 200 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
3+1, Duplex
135 m²
11077
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Mahmutlar district is located on the eighth floor of a building built in 2023 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 800 m, and to the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11076
This furnished 4+1 duplex apartment, measuring 196 m², is located on the ninth floor of a ten-story building built in 2010 in the central Alanya district of Cumhuriyet. The two-level layout includes four bedrooms, a living room, three bathrooms, a balcony, and a terrace. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 50 m.
4+1, Duplex
196 m²
11075
This 70 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the fourth floor of a building built in 2018. It is 500 m from the sea and 250 m from the city center. The apartment is delivered furnished and features a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony.
1+1
70 m²
11074
This furnished 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the seventh floor of a building built in 2021 in the Mahmutlar district. The layout includes a bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and a balcony. The distance to the sea is 500 m, and to the city center is 250 m.
1+1
50 m²
11073
Registration of inheritance in Turkey
The best way to transfer an inheritance — take care of drawing up a written will. The legality of the procedure is confirmed by two witnesses and a state notary (or other officially authorized person). There are two main requirements for witnesses: age of majority and legal capacity.
The testator writes a will for real estate in Turkey by hand, puts a date and signature.
As a rule, a testamentary document is prepared directly at the notary's office. The owner will need the following documents:
- Passport (original, copy with photo, translation into Turkish).
- Copies of heirs’ passports and their translation into Turkish.
- Photos — 3 pieces
- TAPU (certificate confirming ownership of property).
- Mental health certificate. Remember that the validity of the certificate is limited to one day. It is important to have time to transfer it to the notary.
It is not necessary to have a TIN in Turkey. But you cannot do without a licensed translator during the procedure. Witnesses also need to have their passports with them.
The will is drawn up in three copies, which are handed over to:
- to the interested party;
- to the Official Documentation Office of the Republic of Turkey;
- To the Ministry of Housing of Turkey.
If the testator needs to revoke a valid will, you can update the document. New amendments that are incompatible with the old ones will replace them.
Forms of wills in Turkey
Drafting a will is possible in two forms:
- written;
- oral.
Inheritance in Turkey for Russians, Belarusians, Ukrainians and other foreign citizens must be prepared in writing and executed in accordance with all official regulations in a notary office.
The will is kept by a notary and, if necessary, can be submitted to the court to confirm inheritance rights.
Procedure for inheritance in Turkey
Step-by-step instructions for receiving bequeathed property:
1. Preparation of a package of documents:
- copy of the will;
- copy of the testator’s death certificate;
- documents confirming the relationship with the testator.
2. The heir contacts a lawyer in Turkey (preferably a Russian-speaking one) and hands over the documents to him.
3. The lawyer submits a petition to the court, attaching documents. If no difficulties/clarifications arise, after a short period of time a court decision is made, according to which the heir receives TAPU on the property.
Important!
If the document was drawn up in the country where the heir lives and certified according to all the rules by a notary, it will also have legal force in the Republic of Turkey. But to do this, the will must be certified at the Turkish consulate, and then forwarded to the municipal court of the region where the property is located.
4. The court ruling is forwarded to the Cadastral Department, where the certificate of ownership of the object is reissued to the heir.
5. The notary records the fact of inheritance in the Chamber of Notaries and transmits the information to the Turkish embassy at the place of permanent residence of the heir. Embassy employees notify the regional registry office about this.
Inheritance tax in Turkey
Donations and transfers of inheritance to real estate impose certain tax obligations on the heirs. The amount of tax is correlated with the cost of housing, which is determined according to the inventory carried out, on the date specified when drawing up an inheritance or drawing up a deed of gift. That is, the lower the value of the property, the lower the tax deductions. The amount of the contribution, in comparison with the EU powers, is small. The rate varies from 1% to 30%.
The law provides for payment of inheritance tax twice a year (May and November) in equal payments over 3 years. Foreigners pay an additional state fee.
This boutique hotel in the Gazipaşa district of Alanya was built in 2026 and accommodates 56 guests. Its 28 single-bedroom rooms, each 20 square meters in size, are located on the first, second, and third floors. All rooms are furnished and feature a balcony and a bathroom. The hotel is 1,200 meters from the sea, 150 meters from the city center, and five minutes from the airport.
1+0
20 m²
11093
This unfurnished 80 sq m two-bedroom apartment is located on the second floor of a building built in 2022 in the center of Alanya, in the Saray neighborhood, next to Cleopatra Beach. The apartment has two bedrooms, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
2+1
80 m²
11092
This 55 sq m one-bedroom apartment is located in the central part of Alanya, in the Saray neighborhood, next to Cleopatra Beach. It is on the second floor of a building built in 2022 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
55 m²
11091
This 60 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the upper Oba district is located on the third floor of a building built in 2024 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 1,500 m, and to the city center is 1,000 m.
1+1
60 m²
11090
This 110 sq m two-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2009. It offers sea views and residence permit options. The apartment is delivered furnished and includes a living room, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and two balconies. It is 200 m from the sea and 50 m from the city center.
2+1
110 m²
11089
This 3+1 duplex apartment, measuring 160 sq m, is located on the ninth and tenth floors of a building built in 2023 in the Mahmutlar district. The layout includes a living room, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two balconies. The apartment is delivered unfurnished and is suitable for citizenship applications. The distance to the sea is 450 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
3+1, Duplex
160 m²
11088
This furnished 1+1 apartment, measuring 48 m², is located on the fifth floor of a building built in 2014 in central Alanya, near Cleopatra Beach. It features a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 700 m, and to the city center is 150 m. The property is eligible for a residence permit.
1+1
48 m²
11086
This 1+1 apartment, 58 sq m, in Nizhnyaya Oba, Obagel, is located on the third floor of a building built in 2016 and is delivered furnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one glassed-in balcony. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
1+1
58 m²
11085
This 70 sq m 1+1 apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the third floor of a building built in 2015 and is delivered furnished. The apartment has one bathroom and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 600 m, and to the city center is 300 m.
1+1
70 m²
11084
This 1+1 apartment, measuring 52 m², is located on the second floor of a building built in 2010 in the Güllerpınarı district, in central Alanya. The apartment is delivered furnished and is suitable for a residence permit. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 200 m, and to the city center is 100 m.
1+1
52 m²
11083
This 2+1 garden duplex apartment, measuring 100 m², in the Avsallar neighborhood occupies the first and second floors of a building built in 2024 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,000 m, and to the city center is 850 m.
2+1, Duplex
100 m²
11082
This furnished 2+1 duplex apartment, measuring 110 m², is located on the ninth floor of a ten-story building in the Mahmutlar district. The building was built in 2021. The two-level apartment features two bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 550 m, and to the city center is 350 m.
2+1, Duplex
110 m²
11081
This 40 sq m one-bedroom apartment in the Kestel district of Alanya is being delivered furnished. It is located on the ground floor of a building built in 2015, 450 meters from the sea and 100 meters from the city center. The apartment has one bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and one balcony.
1+1
40 m²
11080
This 2+1 duplex apartment in Verkhnyaya Oba is 112 m² and is located on the fourth floor of a five-story building built in 2023. The apartment is delivered with new luxury furniture. The two-level layout includes a living room, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and two balconies. The distance to the sea is 1,500 m, and to the city center is 1,000 m.
2+1, Duplex
112 m²
11079
This three-story, 6+2-bedroom villa, 300 m² in the Oba district of Alanya, is being delivered furnished. The house has five bathrooms and six balconies, and on the 800 m² plot, there is an additional one-bedroom cottage for guests or a helper. Built in 2024, the villa occupies the first, second, and third floors. It is 200 m from the sea and 100 m from the city center. The property is suitable for residency and citizenship applications.
1+0, 6+2
300 m²
11078
This 3+1 duplex apartment, measuring 135 sq m, is located on the fourth and fifth floors of a building built in 2010 in Nizhnyaya Oba, Alanya. The apartment is delivered furnished. The layout includes three bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, two balconies, and a terrace. The sea is 200 m away, and the city center is 100 m away.
3+1, Duplex
135 m²
11077
This 1+1 apartment, 55 m², in the Mahmutlar district is located on the eighth floor of a building built in 2023 and is being delivered unfurnished. The layout includes a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony. The distance to the sea is 800 m, and to the city center is 500 m.
1+1
55 m²
11076
This furnished 4+1 duplex apartment, measuring 196 m², is located on the ninth floor of a ten-story building built in 2010 in the central Alanya district of Cumhuriyet. The two-level layout includes four bedrooms, a living room, three bathrooms, a balcony, and a terrace. The distance to the sea is 150 m, and to the city center is 50 m.
4+1, Duplex
196 m²
11075
This 70 sq m one-bedroom apartment in Mahmutlar is located on the fourth floor of a building built in 2018. It is 500 m from the sea and 250 m from the city center. The apartment is delivered furnished and features a living room, one bedroom, one bathroom, and one balcony.
1+1
70 m²
11074
This furnished 1+1 apartment, 50 m², is located on the seventh floor of a building built in 2021 in the Mahmutlar district. The layout includes a bedroom, a living room, one bathroom, and a balcony. The distance to the sea is 500 m, and to the city center is 250 m.
1+1
50 m²
11073
These materials have been prepared for informational purposes and are not of a commercial nature.
Point Property — a certified real estate agency that specializes in providing a full range of real estate services for transactions with residential and commercial real estate in Turkey. Our company takes care of all the organizational aspects of a real estate transaction: searching for an object, organizing a sightseeing tour, assistance in collecting documents and checking the legal purity of documentation, support in re-registration of ownership. In addition, we provide our customers with a wide range of after-sales services.
