News

The condition of military permission document required for real estate sales to foreigners in Turkey

has been removed by the authority to cover 16 provinces from AYDIN to YOZGAT. Based on the

related rule practiced by the government foreigners are normally not allowed to acquire or rent

property within military forbidden zones and security zones.

Difficulties incurred to obtain said document was a problem for real estate agents in the country

for long years and it is strongly estimated that this positive step to decrease bureaucracy will

contribute to an increase in home sales to foreigners who would like to buy property in Turkey.

Based on an agreement signed among General Staff, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of

Environment & Urbanization and Department of Foreign Affairs  at General Directorate of

Land Registry and Cadastre (land survey),  the “military permission condition” required for

the acquisition of immovable properties by foreign nationals in provinces such as Aydın

(except for Dilek Peninsula), Aksaray, Adıyaman, Çankırı, Çorum, Isparta, Kahramanmaraş,

Karabük, Kastamonu, Kırşehir was removed.

This development was evaluated as very promising and the good news professionals in the sector

had been long waiting for. They expressed that in the process of sales to foreigners, said special

“security” document to be obtained from authorities had often been a problematic issue for

property agents. Accordingly, the fact that formalities to obtain title deed were almost always

delayed, certainly did not make foreign buyers happy, which in return led to a substantial decrease

in demand and loss of many sales.

Thanks to the new practice put into effect though, the foreign nationals will be able to realize their

immovable acquisitions without having to obtain a permit from the military authorities.

Turkey has been a major center of attraction for foreigners and British citizens in specific who

would like to buy property in favorable holiday destinations such as Fethiye, Bodrum and Antalya.

Formal reports issued by TURKSTAT (Turkish Statistical Institute) show that thousands of

British families have bought properties to include villas and luxury apartments in said destinations

in recent years. Professionals in the sector comment the latest step taken by the government will

help to attract more foreign buyers as there will be no waiting period for a permit to be obtained

from the military, any more.