How to Buy Property in Turkey Without Travelling: Power of Attorney Guide (2026)

Yes. You can buy property in Turkey without travelling there. You give a person you trust in Turkey, usually a lawyer, a power of attorney (in Turkish, vekaletname). That person signs for you at the title deed office (tapu), handles the paperwork and keeps you updated. You choose the home, approve the price and send the money. You never have to board a plane.

Can You Really Buy Property in Turkey Without Visiting?

Yes, and it is common. Many foreign buyers, from the Gulf to Europe and Asia, complete their purchase this way.

Turkish law lets a representative act for you at the land registry. They do the steps that need someone in the room. You make the decisions. Here is how the work is usually split:

What Is a Power of Attorney (Vekaletname)?

A power of attorney is an official document that lets another person act in your name. It must be made by a notary or a Turkish consulate. A simple signed letter is not enough.

Specific vs General Power of Attorney

There are two main types. For a property purchase, the specific one is almost always the better choice.

Keep in mind: a power to buy does not give a power to sell.

Where Can You Get a Power of Attorney?

You have three options from abroad, and a fourth if you can make a short trip.

Option 1: At a Turkish Consulate (Recommended)

This is the simplest route. The consulate prepares the document in Turkish, and it can be used in Turkey directly. You do not need an apostille or a translation.

• Book an appointment through the consulate's online system (konsolosluk.gov.tr).
• Bring your valid passport and the agreed Turkish draft from your lawyer.
• Bring the property details and your representative's full name and ID or passport number.
• If you do not speak Turkish, the consulate will ask for an interpreter.

Appointment waiting times differ a lot between cities. Book early.

Option 2: At a Local Notary, Then an Apostille

If your country is part of the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, you can sign at a notary at home. Then:

1. Get an apostille on the document in your country.
2. Send the original to Turkey by courier.
3. A sworn translator translates it into Turkish.
4. A Turkish notary certifies the translation.

This route has more steps, and some land registry offices are stricter with foreign notary documents. Ask your lawyer to check the draft before you sign.

Option 3: Countries Outside the Apostille Convention

If your country has not joined the convention, the document needs legalisation instead. Your foreign ministry certifies it, then the Turkish consulate. After that, it is translated and notarised in Turkey.

Option 4: A Short Visit to a Turkish Notary

If you can visit Turkey for one day, a Turkish notary can prepare the document in under an hour. You will need a sworn interpreter if you do not speak Turkish.

What Your Power of Attorney Should Include

A clear document protects you. A vague one causes delays or misuse. Ask your lawyer to include:

• Your details: full name, passport number, nationality and Turkish tax number (if you already have one).
• Your representative's details: full name and Turkish ID or passport number.
• The property: city, district, block (ada) and parcel (parsel) numbers, and the unit number.
• A photo of you: land registry offices expect your photo to be attached and sealed on the document.
• The exact powers: only the tasks needed for this purchase (see the list below).
• An end date: a power of attorney has no end date unless you write one. Six months is usually enough for one purchase.

Powers Usually Needed for a Purchase

• Getting a Turkish tax number in your name
• Signing the sales agreement for the named property
• Paying the price, taxes and fees from your funds
• Signing the transfer and collecting the title deed at the tapu office
• Buying DASK earthquake insurance
• Opening electricity, water and gas accounts
• Applying for a valuation report, if you need one

Powers to Leave Out

• Selling, giving away or mortgaging any property in your name
• Taking a loan in your name
• Any power that is not linked to this purchase

Step-by-Step: How to Buy Property in Turkey Remotely

Step 1: Choose the Property From Home

Ask for live video tours, not only photos. Your representative should visit the home for you, using our apartment viewing checklist. Also check that the listing is verified through EİDS.

Step 2: Get Your Turkish Tax Number

You need a tax number before the transfer. Many foreigners can get one online. If that does not work, your representative can get it with your power of attorney. See our tax number guide for both ways.

Step 3: Sign the Power of Attorney

Sign the document using one of the options above. If it was made at a foreign notary, courier the original to your representative. Keep a scanned copy.

Step 4: Let Your Lawyer Check the Title Deed

Before any money moves, your lawyer checks the land registry record for mortgages, seizures, court orders and other notes. They also check the occupancy permit (iskan) and the seller's identity.

Step 5: Sign the Sales Agreement

Your representative signs the agreement for you after you approve it. It should state the price, the payment dates, who pays which costs and what happens if the deal fails.

Step 6: Make the Payment Safely

At the tapu office, foreign buyers need a foreign exchange certificate (döviz alım belgesi) from a Turkish bank. Your representative will plan the payment so this document is issued in your name. Turkey's secure payment system is also set to become mandatory on 1 December 2026. Make sure your power of attorney covers both the payment step and the title deed step.

Step 7: Prepare the Final Documents

Your representative buys DASK earthquake insurance, which is needed for the transfer. A standard purchase does not need a valuation report. If you plan to apply for a residence permit or citizenship, they order one. It is valid for 12 months.

Step 8: Transfer Day at the Tapu Office

Your representative and the seller meet at the land registry. The officer checks the power of attorney, the payment documents and the fees. Then both sides sign. The title deed fee is 4% of the declared price. By law, the buyer and the seller each pay 2%. In practice, who pays is often agreed in the contract. See our guide to property purchase costs for the full list.

Step 9: After the Purchase

You get a scan of the new title deed the same day. Your representative then opens your utility accounts. They can courier the original deed to you or keep it safe until your visit.

How to Keep Your Money Safe

Most problems in remote purchases are about money, not paperwork. Follow these simple rules:

• Never send money to your representative's personal account.
• Confirm the seller's bank details by phone or video call, not by email alone.
• Do not pay a large deposit before the title deed checks are done.
• Keep a receipt and bank record for every payment.

Common Risks and How to Avoid Them

• Choosing the wrong representative: pick a licensed lawyer or a firm with a real office and track record. A lawyer is not legally required for a standard purchase, but for a remote purchase we strongly recommend one.
• Giving too much power: use a specific power of attorney with an end date.
• Wrong property details: one wrong parcel number can block the transfer. Check the draft line by line.
• Under-declaring the price: declare the real price. The penalty for under-declaring is now much higher.
• Forgetting to cancel the power: after the purchase, revoke it (azilname) at a notary or consulate and make sure your representative is formally notified.

For more traps to avoid, read 10 mistakes foreign buyers make.

How Long Does a Remote Purchase Take?

Every case is different. This is a realistic picture for a ready-built home:

Buying for Residence or Citizenship From Abroad

You can buy a property for a residence permit or for Turkish citizenship without travelling. Two things are different. You need a valuation report, and the payment records must fit the application rules. The application also needs a power of attorney that clearly covers it, and some steps may still need you in person. Plan this with your lawyer before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to come to Turkey at all to buy a property?

No. With a power of attorney, your representative can complete the whole purchase. Many buyers first visit Turkey when they collect the keys.

Can a foreigner sign a power of attorney at a Turkish consulate?

Yes. The service is not only for Turkish citizens. If you do not speak Turkish, the consulate will ask for an interpreter.

How long is a power of attorney valid?

It stays valid until you cancel it, unless it states an end date. For a single purchase, add an end date of around six months.

Buy Your Property in Turkey Remotely With SimplyTR

SimplyTR handles remote purchases from start to finish. We arrange video viewings, draft the power of attorney, check the title deed, plan the payment and complete the tapu transfer. You approve every step from home.

Book a free consultation. We'll check your case →

Selling later? Our guide to selling your property from abroad explains the same process in reverse.

This guide is for general information and is not legal advice. Rules and office practice can change. Contact SimplyTR to check the details of your purchase.