Turkey Property Sale

1. Information on Turkey

1.	We know summer is the best time of year to come over but what's it like in winter, would it be deserted and bleak?
2.	What is the standard of medical services in Turkey? I am concerned about the level of care as compared to back home.
3.	Are Euros accepted in Turkey?
4.	How do locals behave towards foreigners?

2. Legal and financial information

3. General questions
 

 

1. Information on Turkey

We know summer is the best time of year to come over but what's it like in winter, would it be deserted and bleak?? As you said rightly, summer time (May - October) is the best in Turkey for the weather and the majority of holiday resorts can be found on the southern and western coasts of the country. These places experience more than seven months of sunshine per year. Winter is much milder than many parts of Europe, however it can rain heavily and frequently. The smaller coastal resorts generally close for the winter. Back to Information on Turkey

What is the standard of medical services in Turkey? I am concerned about the level of care as compared to back home. There are no NHS hospitals in Turkey - it has both Government and privately-owned hospitals. The private hospitals are generally 40% cheaper than their European counterparts, and the medical services are good with often one-to-one patient care. Private health insurance can also be purchased in Turkey. Back to Information on Turkey

Are Euros accepted in Turkey? Yes. As is the UK pound and US dollar. Back to Information on Turkey

How do locals behave towards foreigners? The majority of locals are very accepting of foreigners, and are keen to have them as their neighbour. However, it is important that foreign property buyers respect the Turkish traditions and culture and the Turkish way of life. Back to Information on Turkey

 

2. Legal and financial information

Leasehold or Freehold? The majority of property in Turkey is on a freehold basis. Occasionally, there are leasehold properties, often referred to as cooperatives. Should you opt to purchase one of these, then you will need to be informed of the cooperative system in place. Back to Legal and financial information

Can I buy my property without a lawyer? Yes, theoretically it is possible, everything can be done through the local Land Registry Office. However, we strongly advise you do use a lawyer. They lawyer will represent your interests throughout the entire purchase process. Back to Legal and financial information

How long does it take to own the property? Foreigners can buy property in their own name in certain areas of Turkey, and the process of obtaining the Title Deeds varies from resort to resort. In some areas it is as little as one months, in others, the process can take up to two - three months. A military check is carried out on the property making sure it is not in military zone before the title deeds are authorized. Back to Legal and financial information

When bought jointly, who gets the property if one of the joint partners passes away? According to Turkish Law, the property automatically goes to spouse and children. To make amendments on the Title Deeds would involve legal assistance. Back to Legal and financial information

What are the restrictions on taking the money out of Turkey if we decided to sell our Turkish property? Yes, you are able to take money back out of the country in pounds sterling or euro, via a bank is the preferred option, as this registers the money both arriving into and departing from the country. However, you will be liable to Capital Gains Tax (for the first five years), and this is on a sliding scale. Back to Legal and financial information

What is the tax situation in Turkey? In general the tax is 1.5% for the buyer and 1.5% for the seller. There is also a community tax, which is generally paid twice yearly - this is for local services and maintenance. This is very minimal in comparison to many other countries. There is also a rentals tax that should be paid if you are renting out your property. Back to Legal and financial information

What, if any, are the annual charges if we own a property in a compound/complex? When purchasing a property in a compound with other homes, the average annual charge for upkeep is around €200-400. The charge depends on the development and any regular maintenance work that has to be carried out, such as swimming pool cleaning and gardening etc. Back to Legal and financial information

What are the additional costs involved in purchasing property in Turkey? Yes, these include an agency commission fee (usually around 3%), utility connection charges, mapping fees (in some resorts), and furnishing your property. We generally tend to advise clients that they should look to pay approx. 7-10% of the total value of the property, as shown on the Title Deeds, for extra costs. Back to Legal and financial information

Can I buy more than one property in Turkey? Yes. Property deeds can even have more than one name on them. Back to Legal and financial information

What about the limits on buying and owning land in Turkey? At the beginning of 2006, the legislation was adapted to enable foreigners - from countries where a reciprocal agreement is in place with Turkey - to purchase land in municipality areas only. Additionally, they are limited to the amount of land they can purchase - a minimum of 2.5 hectres, and a maximum of 30 hectres. Back to Legal and financial information

 

3. General questions

Are mortgages in Turkey available to foreign buyers? Mortgages are now available to foreigners looking to purchase property in Turkey.  The mortgage is based on the actual property you buy in Turkey, and not your UK assets. Surveys are carried out by a UK surveyor for the property of your choice in Turkey. Back to General questions

Does the war in Iraq has any effect on property situation in Turkey as the country does share a border with Iraq? The South Western coast of Turkey (the main tourist area) is around 75 to 90 minutes by plane from the Iraqi border. The clashes have no connection with Antalya and other tourist resorts, where normal everyday life couldn't be better. Back to General questions

Is it safe to buy in Turkey now as we remember the tourist bombings in 2006? These bombs were in tourist resorts during the summer. There are currently no Foreign and Commonwealth Office warnings regarding travel to these areas. And, it is always recommended that visitors refer to www.fco.gov.uk before looking to travel. Back to General questions

What is the average cost of a house in Turkey? In all areas of Turkey, prices do vary enormously. In general, the average price for a two-bed apartment is around €50-60,000, and €100,000 for a three-bed villa. When it comes to quality, there are huge variations, so don't be afraid to pose the question to your agent. Back to General questions

Are there any citizenship or residency rights after buying a property in Turkey? Buying a property does not give you any citizenship rights. A residency visa is still to be applied for should you wish to stay in the country for longer periods of time. The approx. cost for a five-year visa is €900-1000. Back to General questions

What is the limit to the number of visits allowed in a year and/or the duration of any of these visits? There is no limit to the amount of times that you may visit Turkey in a year. On entering the country, you will pay €10 for a three-month visa. Should you enter the country again within the same three month period, you can use the same visa, but this visa is valid from the date of your first entry, not the second. Therefore you do need to check when your original visa runs out as that will still apply. Back to General questions

What is the voltage in Turkey? Turkey's electricity is 220 volts. In some areas where power surges are a factor, the purchase of a regulator is a necessity, as it smoothes out these surges before they reach the electrical goods in your home. Back to General questions

Is natural gas available in Turkey?? Turkey has limited resources of natural gas, however, in tourist resorts, for heating gas fires and for cooking, gas is available in cylinders. Gas is bottled and for £13 it will last you 6 months Back to General questions

Is tap water drinkable? Bottled water should always be used for drinking. Some areas do have purer water than others, however we would advise drinking bottled water, which is very cheap to buy. Once you settle there, it is advisable to boil and cool tap water at home before drinking. Water filters are also available that can purify tap water. Back to General questions

Are we allowed to install satellite TV? Satellite TV is readily available in many languages, including English and German. In order to have all documentation in your own names, a residency visa is required. There is a wide selection of satellite packages available in Turkey. Back to General questions

Are telephone connections readily available in Turkey? Yes, through the national telephone company Turk Telekom. Bills need to be paid on a monthly basis. To obtain documentation in your own name, a residency visa is required. Back to General questions

What about mobile phones in Turkey? Mobile telephones are bought separately in Turkey. You buy the handset and you can then choose whether you prefer pay-as-you-go or pay by monthly subscription. A foreigner cannot buy a SIM card unless they have Turkish citizenship. Back to General questions

Am I allowed to open a bank account in Turkey if I own a property there? Foreigners can open an account at a number of the Turkish banks. Your passport is always required when going inside a bank. Cash point cards are available and can be applied for once the account is open. A bank account is useful for setting up direct debits for utility bills. Back to General questions

Is it a must to have air-conditioning? Yes, air-conditioning is a must for the really hot months of July and August. Most of the modern units are split units and so can blow out cold air when it is hot and warm air when it gets cold. An air conditioning unit would cost on average between €250-700, depending on room size, for a high standard unit. Back to General questions

What is the minimum budget required to furnish the property? There are a wide range of furniture and electrical goods shops in Turkey, and prices vary according to quality. To furnish a two-bedroom apartment with enough to make it comfortable for holiday purposes, you should expect to set aside a minimum of €2000-3000. Please note that this price does not include air-conditioning. Back to General questions

Is it a better option to import our furniture to Turkey from our current home abroad? There are many companies offering international removal services. However, we would recommend selling your furniture at home and buying the items in Turkey instead. Electrical goods are heavily taxed on entry, plus the whole process can be a lengthy one and expensive. Back to General questions

Can we bring our pets into Turkey? It is possible to bring a pet into Turkey with its own passport. However, on returning to the UK you would be subject to quarantine laws. Back to General questions

What about the insurance? On property, there are plenty of companies offering comprehensive annual cover. We advise all clients to insure their properties. Earthquake insurance is a necessity on those properties that reside in an earthquake region. Health insurance is also available and there are a number of suitable policies to choose from. Back to General questions

Can you tell me about travelling to and around Turkey? The country’s coastal areas are serviced by the following airports: Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya - all of which are open all year round. Travelling around Turkey is easy - there is a good network of local roads, with bus routes, and cheap taxi services. Back to General questions