Frequently Asked Questions
What is TAPU?
TAPU is Turkish name of title deed, which is a legal document showing that you own all rights to the property. All the properties must have a title deed from the Land and Registry office.
What is ISKAN?
There are two types of ISKAN
General Iskan and Personal Iskan.
– General Iskan is a technical document for building. This document is given by the local authority and proves that the real estate has received all necessary approvals that the building is used for residential purposes and is allowed to live there permanently.
– Private Iskan for apartments that is obtained by the owner together with Tapu and is also required for new registrations of electricity and water.
How long do I have to wait before getting my title deed?
It takes an app. 2-3 days for you to get your title deed, starting from the day you purchase a property in Turkey.
Are the prices of properties the same for Turkish citizens and foreigners?
Yes. There is a price list which is the same for both Turkish and foreign buyers. You can be sure that all conditions are the same for all buyers.
Wouldn’t I get a cheaper price for properties when I go to the developer directly?
No. Even if you go by yourself or with our real estate consultant, the same prices are offered by the developers.
Can I see a property before purchasing it?
VIX Home offers inspection trips for its customers. You can view the property from our portfolio and choose a suitable one for you.
Is the import of vehicles or furniture possible?
The import of vehicles and furniture is possible. However, the costs of transport, customs and security obligations are very high; therefore it is recommendable to buy the furniture or car in Turkey.
Can the property be rented?
This is possible of course. If you do not live permanently in your property, then the renting during your absence is even a good source of income. You will also have to pay tax on rent, should you decide to rent your property in Turkey.
Is the taxation system the same for Turkish citizens and foreigners?
Yes. The taxation system is exactly the same for everybody.
After buying a property, how can I connect gas, electricity, water and internet? And how can I pay the bills while I am away?
You must go to the utility offices and sign contracts with them. You will need to pay a connection fee, pay a nominal deposit (refundable when the service is disconnected), and register the meters in your name.
Invoices come online monthly. According to the number of the contract, the payment of utilities can be linked to the automatic payment through the online banking of the Turkish Banks. Also through the sites of communal services by credit card.
What are the returns on investment in an average in Turkey?
Returns of investment in an average in the city center are significantly lower than the rest areas, they range approximately between 4-5%, but in developed and modern areas the percentage rises to 10-15%, in addition to that, when you buy in the initial stage of construction, rental returns and the value of the property rise around 20-30% annually, so it is very easy to get 100% profitable from your property in a few years in Turkey.
What are the local taxes I will have to pay?
There are a couple of municipal taxes to be paid twice a year, but very minimal compared to major European cities.
Can foreigners get a mortgage in Turkey?
Yes, foreigners can loan money from Turkish banks. VIX Home cooperate with several targeted construction companies and collaborate with one of the best banks on the market, Vakif, Garanti, Ziraat and Deniz Bank, which offer fixed interest loan rates up to 7 years. But since April 2022, the procedure has changed and not all foreign nationals can apply for real estate loans.
How can I open a bank account in Turkey?
In order to open a bank account, first you need to get a Tax number. After that you need to provide:
– A statement showing your current address (it could be an electricity or gas bill, or a bank statement from your country).
– Your passport.
– Your tax number.
Some banks charge fees or require a minimum deposit amount.
What are the measures taken by the Turkish government to ensure the projects of its construction companies?
Turkish government guarantees the right of the buyer to all phases of the project, starting with the pre-sale stage, in which the Turkish government follows up on all licenses that the construction company extracts to implement this project. It also checks all promotions on which the project is marketed. In addition to visiting the project by Turkish government experts to inspect the typical apartments in sales offices before the project starts for sale.
Do I need to insure my property in Turkey?
Yes, after buying a property in Turkey you must insure it. During the registration of utilities, providing insurance on the property is an obligatory requirement. It can be taken easily online, and it does not cost much. We can help you find the right insurance company.
What is the tax number? And how to get it?
Tax number in Turkey (Vergi Numarsı) is your taxpayer identification number. It is issued once, used throughout Turkey and does not change even if the taxpayer changes his or her place of residence, name or other passport information. You will need it for legal and official transactions or when opening a bank account in Turkey.
You can easily obtain it as follows:
1) Apply online, at the tax office website.
2) Apply at the office of the local tax office.
Bring a copy of your passport and your address in Turkey.
Go to the nearest tax office (Vergı Müdürlüğü) in your area and ask for your tax number. They will enter your information into the system and give you a tax number card.
Can I define my attorney to run the property due to transactions in Turkey?
Yes, you can by authorizing your attorney in your country, translating the authorization (sworn translation) and getting it authenticated by the Turkish Embassy in your country.
What does a housing project with the guarantee of the Turkish government mean ?
The term construction company projects affiliated with the government sector refers to those projects that are based on a partnership between construction companies affiliated with the Turkish government and private companies, where the state construction company provides land that is naturally owned by the state, while the construction company builds and executes the project that is under the supervision of the government Turkish in terms of building quality and accuracy in appointments and specifications, and in most cases the executing agency is a reliable and strong company.
How can I get a residence permit in Turkey?
Foreign visitors can stay legally in Turkey for maximum 90 days with a tourist visa. After they buy a property and get the title deed, this directly gives them one-year residence permit that can be renewed later.
How to get Turkish citizenship?
You can obtain Turkish citizenship through the following methods:
– Investment with a capital of $500,000 or the equivalent of other currencies in the technological or industrial fields.
– Investment of $400,000 in real estate sector for three years without selling the property.
– Setting up a company and recruit 50 Turkish citizens.
– Deposit $500,000 or the equivalent of other currencies in Turkish banks or the Treasury of the State or the Turkish Investment Fund for 3 years.
Can I buy a property in instalments to apply for Turkish citizenship?
The paid amounts will be calculated only from the value of the property, and in the event of instalments or mortgage payments, unpaid amounts will not be calculated. Therefore, the value of the paid instalments must exceed $400.000 in order to be able to apply for Turkish citizenship in exchange for a property purchased in instalments.
If more than one person participates in buying the property, do all partners obtain Turkish citizenship with their families?
As long as the share of each partner in the property is worth at least $400.000 and the property evaluation approves the value of the title deed, each partner can obtain Turkish citizenship with his family and children under the age of 18 years.
Can my family get a residence permit in Turkey?
Yes. Your wife and your children under 18 years old can also get a residence permit after your application.
Is it possible to buy real estate under construction in Turkey to obtain Turkish citizenship?
Since the real estate appraisal is a prerequisite for applying for Turkish citizenship and therefore we need a title deed for the property to conduct the evaluation and there is no problem if the title deed is a final title deed for a ready project or a floor easement for a project under construction, but in the absence of any type of title deed, this property is not suitable for Turkish citizenship.
How long can the procedures for obtaining Turkish citizenship be completed?
It varies according to the professionalism of the brokerage company being dealt with and the experience of its legal team, for example in VIX Home company, you can obtain Turkish citizenship within a maximum of 90 days since the application was submitted with all the required documents, while in other new companies it may take six months or more.
Is it necessary to reside in Turkey to obtain Turkish citizenship?
It is not necessary to reside in Turkey, not even to come, as our company’s lawyer or any trusted person in Turkey can be authorized to fully carry out this process.
