Buy Istanbul property with complete peace of mind. Legal certainty, from day one.
NLI Global is an independent law firm that represents you — the buyer — not the seller. We verify ownership at the Land Registry, run full legal due diligence, and guide the transfer from start to finish, so you can buy with confidence and nothing left to chance.
Free, no-obligation consultation with a licensed lawyer.
Disclaimer: NLI Global is an independent law firm offering legal consultancy and representation services. NLI Global is not a government body or official document issuing authority, nor does it directly grant visas, residence permits, or citizenship statuses. Official status determinations are made solely by competent government authorities.
Title Deed (Tapu) Verification
Full Legal Due Diligence
Bilingual Purchase Contracts
Representation by Power of Attorney
Comprehensive legal conveyancing, handled by lawyers.
Select a property from any broker or developer. Our attorneys manage the full legal transaction so title is safely registered in your name.
Title Deed & Ownership Search
Examining official Land Registry records to confirm clean title, ownership history, and absence of liens or mortgages.
Legal Due Diligence
Reviewing occupancy permits (İskan), municipal records, zoning compliance, and tax status prior to payment.
Contract Drafting & Review
Drafting and reviewing dual-language sales contracts to ensure fair terms and buyer legal protections.
Foreign Ownership Clearance
Verifying statutory eligibility and coordinating the mandatory valuation report required for foreign buyers.
Payment & Banking Oversight
Structuring transaction payments and advising on compliant Central Bank currency exchange (DAB) procedures.
Representation by Power of Attorney
Executing every conveyancing step under a notarized power of attorney for clients buying remotely.
Land Registry Title Transfer
Representing you at the Tapu Directorate to finalize title transfer and receive your official title deed.
Post-Purchase Tax Registration
Securing tax numbers, assisting with utility transfers, and advising on ongoing local property tax rules.
Why you should work with a lawyer when buying property in Istanbul.
A broker's job is to sell you a property. A lawyer's job is to protect you — whatever you're buying it for.
Buying for the first time? A lawyer is essential.
Foreign property law, title procedures, and required permits are unfamiliar territory. We check every legal condition before you commit, so nothing is left to assumption.
Buying from abroad? A lawyer protects your money.
We tie every payment to a verified legal condition and can complete the purchase for you under power of attorney, without you travelling to Istanbul.
Already have an agent? You still need a lawyer.
An agent's role is to sell the property. A lawyer works only for you — reviewing the contract and verifying the title before you sign. The two roles work together; one doesn't replace the other.
Independent legal representation — working only for you.
Real estate brokers represent the seller or the deal. As an independent law firm, NLI Global acts exclusively in the buyer's legal interest — verifying title safety before any contract is signed.
We answer only to you. You engage us on a fixed fee, so our only responsibility is protecting your legal interest through the purchase and registration.
We check before you pay. Title, debts, and permits are verified against official records before any funds are transferred — not after.
We stay until it's registered. We don't step away after the contract is signed — we represent you through to the final Tapu registration in your name.
The seller pays them a commission
A fixed fee. You pay us. We work only for you.
Provides listings and standard sale forms
Title verification, due diligence & contract drafting
Tells you the asking price
Checks title, debts, permits and foreign-buyer rules first
Hands you the keys
Registers the title deed in your name at the Land Registry
Never transfer funds before the title check is complete.
A clean-looking listing can still carry a hidden mortgage, an unresolved inheritance dispute, or a missing occupancy permit. We confirm the Land Registry record and the building's legal status before any payment moves — not after.
What owning property in Istanbul gives you.
A legally verified purchase is a genuine asset, not just a transaction.
Full Ownership Rights
Eligible foreign buyers receive full freehold title, registered directly in their name at the Land Registry.
No Residency Required
You do not need Turkish residency or citizenship to own property here.
Property in Your Name
The title deed (Tapu) is issued directly to you — not held through a company or nominee.
Rental & Resale Potential
Istanbul's rental market and long-term appreciation make ownership a genuine investment, not just a purchase.
Buy From Anywhere
The full purchase can be completed remotely under a notarized power of attorney.
Family Can Co-Own
Title can be registered in more than one name, including a spouse or family member, at the point of purchase.
Six legal checks every purchase goes through.
We run these checks before you sign or pay — not after.
Title Chain Verification — checking Land Registry records for clean, disputed-free title.
Encumbrance Search — verifying the property carries no mortgages, liens, or attachments.
Occupancy Permits (İskan) — reviewing municipal building and zoning permits.
Foreign Ownership Rules — checking statutory military-zone and area restrictions apply to the property.
Contractual Protections — drafting a balanced, bilingual purchase agreement before you sign.
Off-Plan Risk Management — verifying developer guarantees and construction permits, where relevant.
A structured legal workflow, from start to registered title.
Initial Legal Consultation
We review the property and define the required legal conveyancing scope.
Due Diligence & Title Verification
We inspect Land Registry files, check encumbrances, and verify zoning status.
Contract Review & Negotiation
We prepare or review the purchase contract, adding clauses to protect your deposit.
Banking & Payment Compliance
We structure payment in compliance with Turkish Central Bank regulations.
Title Transfer Registration
We represent you before the Land Registry Directorate to register your title deed.
Citizenship Legal Qualification
Where your purchase meets statutory program rules, we can advise on citizenship filing separately.
Notice: Processing times depend on Land Registry and bank review. NLI Global provides legal advice and manages your file. Official registration is completed by the relevant government authorities.
How long it takes.
An estimated timeline for a standard purchase. Bank and Land Registry processing times can vary.
Legal check & due diligence
1–2 weeksWe review the Land Registry file, check for debts or liens, and confirm occupancy permit status before you sign.
Contract & deposit
3–5 daysWe finalize the bilingual purchase contract and structure the deposit so it's tied to verified legal conditions.
Foreign purchase valuation
1–2 weeksA government-authorized appraisal report is obtained where required for foreign buyers.
Payment & currency compliance
3–7 daysFunds are transferred and documented under Central Bank currency-conversion rules (DAB).
Title transfer at the Land Registry
1–2 weeksWe represent you at the Tapu Directorate to complete registration in your name.
You do not need to be in Istanbul for any part of this process.
Your money is protected — and you never have to fly here.
Buying from abroad should feel just as secure as buying at home. Payments are tied to verified legal milestones, and your lawyer can act for you remotely — so distance is never a disadvantage.
Escrow-Protected Payments
Funds are released only against verified legal conditions — a clean title and a secured transaction — never on a promise or a handshake.
Secure Property Buying
We confirm ownership at the Land Registry and clear the property of mortgages, liens, and hidden debts before any money moves.
Online Representation (Remote Buying)
Buy entirely from abroad. Under a notarized Power of Attorney, our lawyers handle the contract, title search, and registration on your behalf.
Compliant Currency Transfers (DAB)
International transfers are documented to Turkish Central Bank rules, with the currency-conversion certificate handled correctly.
Free guide: documents you need to buy in Istanbul.
A simple guide to every document our lawyers check and prepare for you — from the title search to your final registration.
Qualifying real estate purchases can lead to citizenship eligibility.
Real estate purchases meeting the statutory minimum of USD 400,000 allow buyers to apply for naturalization under Turkish law. Where a purchase qualifies, NLI Global provides comprehensive legal representation throughout the citizenship filing process.
We verify property eligibility first under real estate law; if you choose to pursue statutory citizenship qualification, our lawyers handle file assembly and agency filings.
Explore Citizenship by Real Estate →Notice: Statutory thresholds and criteria are governed by government decrees. NLI Global provides legal advisory and filing representation. Official citizenship determinations remain under the exclusive authority of government bodies.
Independent legal counsel for international buyers.
Independent Representation
We act solely for the buyer. We maintain no affiliation with real estate brokers or developers, ensuring unbiased legal advice.
Istanbul-Based Legal Team
Specialized in Turkish property law, Land Registry procedures, and foreign investment regulations.
Multi-Lingual Service
Direct English-language legal service for international clients, so every contract term is fully clear before you sign.
Complete Legal Oversight
Due diligence, contract drafting, title registration, and statutory filings, all managed under a single legal representation.
Real estate legal questions, answered.
Considering an Istanbul property purchase? Talk to our attorneys about the due diligence you'll need.
Speak with an Attorney
Can foreign nationals legally buy real estate in Istanbul?
Yes. Eligible nationalities may acquire freehold residential or commercial property in Turkey, subject to military-zone restrictions and maximum individual area limits. We confirm eligibility for specific properties during due diligence.
Do I have to be in Turkey to buy property?
No. Under a notarized Power of Attorney, our lawyers can handle the complete purchase, contract execution, and title registration without your physical presence in Turkey.
What is a "Tapu" in Turkish real estate law?
The Tapu is the official title deed issued by the Turkish Land Registry Directorate, and it is the legal proof of ownership. We inspect Tapu records before purchase and represent you at final registration.
Does NLI Global sell or broker properties?
No. We operate exclusively as an independent law firm, not a real estate agency. You can bring us a property found through any broker or developer for independent legal verification.
How are my payments legally protected?
We draft contract payment terms to tie fund releases to verified legal conditions and coordinate compliant international wire transfers according to Central Bank rules.
Does buying real estate grant Turkish citizenship?
A purchase that meets the statutory $400,000 appraisal requirement lets you apply for naturalization under Turkish law. NLI Global provides legal advisory and application representation. The final decision rests with government authorities.
How are legal fees structured?
Fees depend on transaction scope and due diligence complexity. All fees are set out in a formal written retainer agreement before we begin work.
From the buyers
we represent.
As a first-time buyer in Istanbul, I had a lot of questions. NLI reviewed every document and checked the title at the Land Registry, explaining each step in plain English. I felt fully informed before I signed anything.
I bought my apartment without ever flying to Istanbul. Under a power of attorney, NLI handled the title search, the contract, and the registration — and released payment only once the title was clean. The Tapu came through in my name.
NLI gave me a clear picture of every stage before we began — the legal checks, the taxes, and exactly when each payment was due. Nothing moved until the legal conditions were met, so I never felt exposed.
Buying a home in Istanbul while living in Singapore is not easy. But the NLI legal team made it possible. They checked the documents, prepared the contract, and handled the bank steps. By the time we landed, everything was ready to sign.
I thought my will from my home country would cover my property in Turkey. NLI explained it does not work that way, and drafted a Turkish will and power of attorney alongside the purchase. It's one less thing I have to think about now.
Individual experiences vary. Property and legal outcomes depend on each transaction's circumstances.
Get legal representation before you commit to a property.
Consult with our legal team about a property you're considering in Istanbul, so your legal protection is in place before you make any commitment.
