Selling Property After Turkish Citizenship by Investment: 2025 Full Guide

Selling Property After Turkish Citizenship by Investment: 2025 Full Guide

Selling property after Turkish citizenship is possible, but there are certain steps and legal details you must follow. This guide explains the 3-year holding requirement, how to remove the restriction on your title deed, and what to do before selling.

What is the 3-Year Holding Rule?

If you gained Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate worth at least $400,000, you agreed to hold the property for a minimum of three years. This rule is applied through a “cannot be sold” annotation (in Turkish: satılamaz şerhi) added to the title deed.

Selling the property before this period can result in losing your citizenship status.

How to Remove the Restriction on the Title Deed

After the 3-year holding period ends, the restriction is not removed automatically.

You must apply to the Land Registry Office (Tapu) and request the removal of the “not for sale” annotation. The Tapu Office then contacts the General Directorate of Land Registry to get an official approval. Once this is granted, the restriction is removed, and the property becomes eligible for sale.

Renting the Property During the 3 Years

You are allowed to rent out the property during the 3-year holding period. Rental income does not affect your citizenship status and is legally permitted.

Make sure to declare rental income and follow local tax laws.

Tax and Profit Considerations After the 3-Year Holding Period

The Turkish real estate market has shown consistent growth. Many investors sell their property after the 3-year holding period and often achieve a good return, especially in cities like Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.

However, if you sell your property within 5 years of purchase, capital gains tax (gelir vergisi) may apply. This tax is not calculated on the total sale amount, but on the profit (net gain) from the sale. The profit is adjusted annually using the Revaluation Rate (Yeniden Değerleme Oranı) announced by the government.

The tax rate can be up to 20%, depending on the profit amount and holding period.

Important: If you hold the property for more than 5 years, no capital gains tax is applied.

To calculate the correct tax and avoid mistakes, it is strongly recommended to contact our team before proceeding with the sale. We can help you understand your net profit, legal steps, and compliance requirements.

Legal and Tax Considerations

Before selling your property, pay attention to the following:

• Compliance: Ensure all transactions comply with Turkish laws to maintain your citizenship rights.

• Documentation: Keep all purchase contracts, rental agreements, and official letters.

• Taxes: Work with a tax advisor to understand capital gains tax and rental income tax rules in Turkey.

Selling Steps Summary

1. Wait for the 3-year restriction to expire.

2. Apply to the Tapu to remove the “not for sale” annotation.

3. Wait for the official approval.

4. Once the restriction is removed, you may sell the property.

More:

General Directorate of Land Registry

Guide on Acquiring Turkish Citizenship through Property Investment 2025

Property Purchase Costs Turkey: Easy 2025 Guide