How to Sell Your Property After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship
Last Updated on October, 2025 by admin
After becoming a Turkish citizen through real estate investment, many foreign investors plan to sell their property or reinvest in new opportunities.
Before doing so, there are two essential legal steps you must complete:
- Change the title deed (Tapu) to your Turkish name, and
- Remove the non-sellable record (the 3-year restriction added during your citizenship application).
These two steps are mandatory before any sale can legally take place. Below is a clear, step-by-step explanation of both processes.
1. Changing the Title Deed to Your Turkish Name
When you obtain Turkish citizenship, your legal identity changes. This means that the ownership information on your title deed (Tapu) must be updated to reflect your new Turkish identity number and Turkish name.
Even if you already have your new ID and passport, your Tapu still shows your old name and nationality until you officially request an update. This process does not happen automatically.
Where and How to Apply
- Apply at the Land Registry Office (Tapu Müdürlüğü) where your property is registered.
- Prepare and submit the following documents:
- Your new Turkish ID card
- Your old title deed
- Citizenship certificate (Vukuatlı Nüfus Kayıt Örneği)
- A short petition requesting the name and nationality update
The process usually takes 1–2 working days and only requires a small administrative fee.
This is not a property sale — only an update of ownership details in the system.
Tip: If your Turkish name differs slightly from your original name (for example, “John Smith” became “Can Smit”), you must complete this update before any sale so your identity matches the Tapu records exactly.
2. Removing the “Non-Sellable” Record (3-Year Restriction)
During your citizenship purchase, a 3-year non-sellable condition (satılamaz şerhi) was added to your title deed. This annotation prevents the property from being sold or transferred before the mandatory investment period ends.
After three years have passed since the annotation date, you can officially request to remove this restriction.
Step-by-Step Removal Process
- Ensure the 3-year period has fully expired (counted from the annotation date on your Tapu).
- Visit the Land Registry Office where your property is located.
- Submit:
- Your Turkish ID card
- Your title deed
- A petition requesting the removal of the non-sellable record
- (If requested) A confirmation letter from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization showing your citizenship approval date
Once the annotation is lifted, your property becomes fully transferable and sellable to any buyer — Turkish or foreign.
Important: This removal does not happen automatically. You must apply for it yourself. Many investors forget this step and face delays when trying to sell.
3. Selling Your Property After Completing the Updates
After these two updates are complete:
- Your title deed now shows your Turkish name.
- The non-sellable annotation has been removed.
You can freely sell your property at any Tapu office in Turkey.
If you sell after five years from your purchase date, your profit will also be exempt from capital gains tax.
Conclusion
To sell your property after obtaining Turkish citizenship, make sure your Tapu reflects your new Turkish identity and that the 3-year restriction has been officially removed.
Both steps are simple, fast, and essential for a smooth sale process.
Need professional help?
The Property Istanbul team can manage both procedures on your behalf — including the Tapu update and restriction removal — safely and efficiently, even under power of attorney.
Contact us today to get started.
We have been guiding international investors in Istanbul for more than 10 years. If you’d like to see the market in detail, take a look at our Istanbul properties map or browse through our Istanbul property search engine for the latest listings. For any questions, you can always reach us at in**@*************bu.com. Our team will be glad to help.