Ask a lawyer: Buying a house or real estate in Turkey
Exterior view of houses in Alanya, Turkey. (Shutterstock Photo)

How do you go about buying a house in Turkey? Here's everything you need to know



With its varied climate, beautiful nature and rich history, Turkey is a popular destination for foreigners looking to purchase a home outside of their home country.

According to official numbers from the second half of 2020, housing sales to foreigners increased by 4% compared to the same period of 2019. During the pandemic, Turkey’s house sales fell slightly; however, the latest figures show that activity in the real estate sector has gradually lifted.

In June 2021, sales to foreign buyers marked the best January-June period ever, topping the 20,000 threshold for the first time. Sales in the period saw a nearly 44% year-on-year increase.

Turkey could be one of the best countries to buy a house. However, there are some details that you need to consider to make sure you do everything right.

Istanbul-based lawyer Elvan Kakıcı Şimşek explained that foreigners who want to buy real estate in Turkey should pay attention to their legal rights to avoid becoming victims.

"There are some issues that foreigners who want to acquire real estate should pay attention to in order to prevent problems that may arise because foreigners are not familiar with the legislation and practices in Turkey," she said.

General view of apartment blocks in Istanbul, Turkey. (Shutterstock Photo)

What you should know