Turkey Property Title Deed (Tapu): Complete Guide for Foreign Buyers
What is Tapu in Turkey?
Tapu is the official property title deed in Turkey – your legal proof of property ownership. Issued by the Land Registry Office (Tapu Dairesi), this document confirms ownership of land, property sections, or structures and is legally valid unless proven irregular.
3 Types of Tapu in Turkey
Turkey recognises three main types of property title deeds, each with different ownership rights and restrictions.
How to Get Your Tapu After Property Purchase
Immediate Title Transfer
Once you complete full payment for your Turkish property, you’re entitled to receive the tapu immediately (unless special delivery conditions apply).
Title Deed Office Process
Visit your local Tapu Dairesi (Land Registry Office) to complete the transfer. All Turkish property transactions must be processed at these official government offices.
Can’t Travel to Turkey? Use Power of Attorney
Turkish Embassy Option
Prepare a Power of Attorney (POA) at the Turkish Embassy notaries. The document will be in Turkish, allowing your appointed representative to handle the transaction.
Local Notary Alternative
If no Turkish Embassy is nearby, use a local notary office. Request a POA sample from your real estate company for proper formatting.
Critical Requirement: Your POA must have an APOSTILLE stamp to be valid in Turkey.
POA Types
- General POA: For multiple property purchases in different locations
- Specific POA: For single property transactions (recommended to avoid future conflicts)
Title Deed Transfer Process
Professional Translation
Sworn translators are available at Tapu offices in your language during signing.
Immediate Document Receipt
Receive your paper title deed within minutes of signing. You can obtain replacement copies even if lost since ownership is officially registered.
Required Documents for Tapu Transfer
Seller Requirements
- 1 passport photo
- Original ID card + photocopy
- Current deed copy
- DASK insurance (earthquake insurance – original + copy)
- Municipality-approved property valuation
Buyer Requirements
- 2 passport photos
- Original passport + photocopy
- These documents are sufficient for Land Registry applications
How to Schedule Your Tapu Appointment
- Visit the official website: https://randevu.tkgm.gov.tr/en
- Book your appointment online
- Arrive on time and follow the queue system
Turkey TAPU Title Deed Delivery: 23 Essential Questions & Answers (2025 Updated)FAQ
1. What is TAPU, and why is title deed delivery crucial in Turkey?
TAPU is the official property title deed in Turkey that proves legal ownership of real estate. The title deed indicates ownership of immovable property (land), sections of immovable property, or structures, and is issued by the Land Registry Office. Without a valid TAPU registered in your name, you cannot be considered the legal owner of your property in Turkey. The equation is simple: No TAPU, No Ownership!
2. When exactly should I receive my TAPU after property purchase?
TAPU should be delivered once full payment for the property purchase has been made. If there is no special condition regarding delivery, you deserve to receive the TAPU immediately after completing full payment. However, TAPU may be delivered before full payment if accepted by the seller, typically in return for a collateral clause added to the TAPU for the remaining amount owed.
3. Where must TAPU delivery take place according to the 2025 regulations?
TAPU can only be issued at the local Land Registry & Cadastre Office (called “Tapu Dairesi” in Turkey)( Or lately at a Notary office for Turkish People). Both the seller and buyer must meet at the local Land Registry and Cadastre Office and sign the delivery papers under government employee supervision. No TAPU can legally be issued without your (or your authorised representative’s) signature at the local Land Registry & Cadastre Office.
4. What are the three types of TAPU certificates available in Turkey?
There are three main types: 1) Condominium Ownership Deed (Kat Mülkiyeti) – for completed construction with individual ownership, 2) Floor Easement Deed (Kat İrtifakı) – for properties under construction or preliminary registration, and 3) Shared Deed (Hisseli Tapu) – showing partners of immovable property. Additionally, there are red TAPU certificates for completed residential or commercial buildings, and blue TAPU certificates for undeveloped land.
5. How long does the TAPU delivery process take in 2025?
The title deed transfer process takes no more than 2 days in most cases. Getting an appointment date for final signatures might take anywhere from a couple of days up to 10 days, depending on how busy the local office is. In small holiday towns like Alanya and Bodrum, it usually takes a day or two, while in Istanbul, it may take up to 10 days or even 2 weeks. On average, the entire process takes up to 3 weeks.
6. What documents do I need as a foreign buyer for TAPU delivery?
Foreign buyers need: 2 passport photos, original passport + photocopy, Turkish tax number, translated and notarised versions of all documents, property appraisal report (valid for 3 months), and DASK earthquake insurance document. During the procedure, you’ll be asked to hand over your passport (not a copy, but the real one) and 2 passport-size pictures.
7. Can I use a Power of Attorney (POA) for TAPU delivery if I cannot travel to Turkey?
Yes, if you cannot come to Turkey, you may prepare a Power of Attorney to act on your behalf at the Turkish Embassy notaries or at a local notary office. When buying or selling property in Turkey, if you authorise a solicitor to act on your behalf during the title deed transfer process, a power of attorney must be apostilled if you’re sending it from your home country.
8. What is the Apostille requirement for POA in 2025?
You must get an APOSTILLE stamp on your POA, or it will not be valid in Turkey. Turkey joined the Hague Apostille Convention on September 29, 1985. Turkey launched the electronic Apostille system with e-Apostilles exclusively issued for electronic documents by the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs since January 2019.
9. Should I use a general or specific Power of Attorney?
If you’re buying only one property, it’s better to give a POA for a specific property. This can save you from future conflicts. If you’re buying multiple properties in different places, you may give a general POA. Special Power of Attorney (Limited Authority) is the most common type used for property transactions, granting authority to perform only specific tasks.
10. What fees must I pay during TAPU delivery in 2025?
The title deed transfer fee (stamp tax) is 4% of the property’s declared value. You will be asked to pay the 4% Property Purchase Tax (in cash) and other service fees at the Land Registry Office. This is also known as stamp duty tax and costs 4% of the purchase price, payable by the buyer in full or sometimes split between buyer and seller, depending on negotiation terms.
11. How does the new electronic TAPU system work in 2025?
Since 2021, Turkey has been issuing new TAPU certificates with QR codes. The Turkish government is gradually introducing an electronic TAPU registration system. The Web Tapu system, introduced in 2017 as part of Turkey’s Land Registry and Cadastre Information System (TAKBİS), allows individuals to manage property transactions online, replacing traditional time-consuming processes.
12. What information appears on my TAPU certificate?
The TAPU consists of three main parts: the upper part concerns property location (sections 1-13), the middle section contains property details (sections 14-24), and the lower part relates to registration information of the Land Registry and Cadastre Office (sections 25-27). The new forms include a property identification number and QR code with links to information about the property and owner.
13. Do I need to be physically present for TAPU delivery?
No, you can assign an authorised person to sign the papers on your behalf. You will need to go to the nearest notary and legally assign anyone you want to sign the final papers on your behalf. However, make sure that the Power of Attorney is ONLY to sign for the delivery of the TAPU.
14. How do I schedule my TAPU delivery appointment?
After preparing the required documents, you should go to the website https://randevu.tkgm.gov.tr/en and make the appointment. Be on time at the land registry office and follow your queue. After submitting documents, the applicant must wait for an SMS notification about the appointed date of the visit to sign the documents.
15. What happens if I lose my TAPU after delivery?
Even if you lose your deed, you may receive another one. It’s just a paper – you have already registered the documents digitally. If you lose your original deed, you may apply to any land registry office in Turkey. They have a digital copy and provide you with another one. You may also find a digital copy in the E-Devlet and Web-Tapu applications.
16. What is DASK insurance, and why is it mandatory for TAPU?
To obtain a TAPU, compulsory insurance against damage after an earthquake and other natural disasters (DASK) is required. The cost depends on real estate area, construction type, and seismic activity. For example, insuring a new 100 sq. m apartment in Istanbul costs about 18 euros per year, while in Alanya it costs around 7 euros.
17. Can multiple people be registered on the same TAPU?
Yes, you can register your wife/kids/friends on the TAPU. While it’s not quite clear how many people can be registered, authorities generally don’t mind registering 3 to 4 people at once. Up to 10 people can be co-owners, and the document can indicate how much of the land belongs to each co-owner.
18. What is the difference between Kat İrtifakı and Kat Mülkiyeti on TAPU?
The Kat İrtifakı mark means preliminary registration according to the approved plan of a project under construction – the developer must complete the second stage of registration. The Kat Mülkiyeti mark means the apartment is finally registered in the housing fund. Kat İrtifakı is the title deed of property to be built on the ground, while Kat Mülkiyeti represents individual ownership with the unit specified on the title deed.
19. Are sworn translators available during TAPU signing?
Yes, when you sign at the TAPU office, there will be a paid sworn translator in your language. If one of the participants does not speak Turkish, a state interpreter must be present. This ensures you understand all documents before signing.
20. What should I do if the seller delays TAPU delivery after full payment?
You should, in principle, get your TAPU once you have completed full payment unless mentioned otherwise during negotiations. Laws are in your favour, but justice in Turkey may take months or years. Personal efforts and dialogue with the seller may help solve the situation faster than legal action. It’s recommended to maintain communication with the developer and seek an amicable solution while considering legal consultation if necessary.
21. How many persons can be registered on a single TAPU?
According to Turkish regulations, up to 10 people can be co-owners of a single TAPU. The list of property owners can include spouses, children, parents, friends, and acquaintances without age restrictions. The document can also indicate how much of the land belongs to each co-owner. While authorities generally don’t mind registering 3 to 4 people at once, the system allows for more extensive co-ownership arrangements when needed.
22. Can foreigners buy TAPU in villages, or are there location restrictions?
Foreigners can buy property in Turkey, but there are specific restrictions. Foreign citizens cannot purchase real estate in villages; instead, they must establish a company to do so. Additionally, the areas where they wish to buy property must be city-planned. However, foreigners cannot buy property in military zones, security areas, or certain restricted zones near borders. Village properties are generally allowed unless they fall within these prohibited areas.
23. Can I buy Turkish property through a company and get TAPU?
Yes, foreign companies can purchase real estate and obtain TAPU in Turkey. However, the company must be established under Turkish law or have a legal representative in Turkey. Foreign legal entities can acquire real estate for business purposes, and the TAPU will be registered under the company name. This option is often used for commercial investments, tourism projects, or business operations.
Key Takeaway: TAPU delivery is a straightforward process when all documents are prepared correctly and appointments are scheduled through official channels. The 2025 digital improvements make the process more efficient, but physical presence (or authorised representation) at the Land Registry Office remains mandatory for final signing and delivery.
IDEAL & Partners may give you more information about the TAPU delivery process and Turkish real estate regulations. They have been in the real estate market since 2004, providing expert guidance for international property buyers in Turkey.