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Costs of Buying Property in Turkey: The Complete List
03.10.2026
Sergei Dubinets, founder and CEO of DDA Real Estate Turkey, explains every detail of the costs involved in buying property in Turkey.
The first question almost every Client asks me is: "How much will I pay on top of the apartment price?" It's the right question. The worst case is when someone plans their budget down to the last dollar and then, on the day they receive the TAPU, learns about expenses nobody told them about.
So I'm breaking it all down step by step. This is the actual list we work through with every Client.
The first question almost every Client asks me is: "How much will I pay on top of the apartment price?" It's the right question. The worst case is when someone plans their budget down to the last dollar and then, on the day they receive the TAPU, learns about expenses nobody told them about.
So I'm breaking it all down step by step. This is the actual list we work through with every Client.
TAPU HARCI - 4% of the property value stated in the TAPU. This is the government tax for registering ownership and the largest expense item.
Example: an apartment for $200,000 - the tax is $8,000.
Exception - properties under the urban renewal program. If a building is constructed under the urban renewal program (kentsel dönüşüm), no TAPU tax is paid. On an expensive property, that saves thousands of dollars, which is why we always highlight these projects to our Clients separately.
Example: an apartment for $200,000 - the tax is $8,000.
Exception - properties under the urban renewal program. If a building is constructed under the urban renewal program (kentsel dönüşüm), no TAPU tax is paid. On an expensive property, that saves thousands of dollars, which is why we always highlight these projects to our Clients separately.
When you transfer utilities into your name, the utility companies charge a deposit:
Pay attention to the water deposit: the difference is almost 15 times. If you apply for a residence permit right after the purchase, it is sometimes more cost-effective to connect the water once you have it.
- Water: 9,000 TL without a residence permit, or 600 TL if you already have one.
- Electricity: 1,500 TL.
Pay attention to the water deposit: the difference is almost 15 times. If you apply for a residence permit right after the purchase, it is sometimes more cost-effective to connect the water once you have it.
The main expense: TAPU tax
All other expenses
Water and electricity connection
On average, transaction costs consist of two parts:
With these figures, you can plan your budget with confidence, and there will be no surprises on the day of the transaction.
- TAPU tax - from 0 to 4% of the property value (0% for urban renewal properties);
- related expenses - typically $2,000-3,000.
With these figures, you can plan your budget with confidence, and there will be no surprises on the day of the transaction.
What it all adds up to
You can save on the power of attorney: if you attend the transaction in person, you don't need a notarized power of attorney. Another legal way to save is to choose a property under the urban renewal program.
You cannot save on tax by understating the price in the TAPU. This is the first thing I warn Clients about. An understated price in the TAPU backfires on you: when you sell, you'll owe tax on the difference, and the property may simply not qualify for a residence permit or citizenship.
At DDA Real Estate Turkey, we give each Client a full breakdown of all costs for their property in advance, before any deposit is paid. You know the final amount before you make your decision.
Amounts are current as of publication and may change along with rates and the lira exchange rate.
You cannot save on tax by understating the price in the TAPU. This is the first thing I warn Clients about. An understated price in the TAPU backfires on you: when you sell, you'll owe tax on the difference, and the property may simply not qualify for a residence permit or citizenship.
At DDA Real Estate Turkey, we give each Client a full breakdown of all costs for their property in advance, before any deposit is paid. You know the final amount before you make your decision.
Amounts are current as of publication and may change along with rates and the lira exchange rate.
Where you can save and where you can't
| Expense | What it is | Approximate amount |
|---|---|---|
| Döner sermaye | Land registry office stamp duty | 22,000-40,000 TL |
| DAB certificate | Döviz Alım Belgesi, confirmation of foreign currency sale to a bank | 10,000 TL |
| DAB exchange rate difference | Exchange rate difference when converting currency | depends on amount and rate |
| Translator | Present when the TAPU is issued | 3,000-5,000 TL |
| Belediye | Address certificate from the municipality | 1,500 TL |
| Opening a bank account | Turkish account for payment | 10,000 TL |
| DASK | Mandatory earthquake insurance | 1,500 TL |
| Passport translation and notary | Certified translation into Turkish | 5,000 TL |
| Notarized power of attorney | If you buy through a representative, including the translator's work | from 20,000 TL |
| İskan | Fee for the habitation certificate, mainly in Alanya and Mersin | depends on the property |
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| Expense | What it is | Approximate amount |
|---|---|---|
| Döner sermaye | Land registry office stamp duty | 22,000-40,000 TL |
| DAB certificate | Döviz Alım Belgesi, confirmation of foreign currency sale to a bank | 10,000 TL |
| DAB exchange rate difference | Exchange rate difference when converting currency | depends on amount and rate |
| Translator | Present when the TAPU is issued | 3,000-5,000 TL |
| Belediye | Address certificate from the municipality | 1,500 TL |
| Opening a bank account | Turkish account for payment | 10,000 TL |
| DASK | Mandatory earthquake insurance | 1,500 TL |
| Passport translation and notary | Certified translation into Turkish | 5,000 TL |
| Notarized power of attorney | If you buy through a representative, including the translator's work | from 20,000 TL |
| İskan | Fee for the habitation certificate, mainly in Alanya and Mersin | depends on the property |
Costs of Buying Property in Turkey: The Complete List
03.10.2026
Sergei Dubinets, founder and CEO of DDA Real Estate Turkey, explains every detail of the costs involved in buying property in Turkey.
The first question almost every Client asks me is: "How much will I pay on top of the apartment price?" It's the right question. The worst case is when someone plans their budget down to the last dollar and then, on the day they receive the TAPU, learns about expenses nobody told them about.
So I'm breaking it all down step by step. This is the actual list we work through with every Client.
The first question almost every Client asks me is: "How much will I pay on top of the apartment price?" It's the right question. The worst case is when someone plans their budget down to the last dollar and then, on the day they receive the TAPU, learns about expenses nobody told them about.
So I'm breaking it all down step by step. This is the actual list we work through with every Client.
TAPU HARCI - 4% of the property value stated in the TAPU. This is the government tax for registering ownership and the largest expense item.
Example: an apartment for $200,000 - the tax is $8,000.
Exception - properties under the urban renewal program. If a building is constructed under the urban renewal program (kentsel dönüşüm), no TAPU tax is paid. On an expensive property, that saves thousands of dollars, which is why we always highlight these projects to our Clients separately.
Example: an apartment for $200,000 - the tax is $8,000.
Exception - properties under the urban renewal program. If a building is constructed under the urban renewal program (kentsel dönüşüm), no TAPU tax is paid. On an expensive property, that saves thousands of dollars, which is why we always highlight these projects to our Clients separately.
When you transfer utilities into your name, the utility companies charge a deposit:
Pay attention to the water deposit: the difference is almost 15 times. If you apply for a residence permit right after the purchase, it is sometimes more cost-effective to connect the water once you have it.
- Water: 9,000 TL without a residence permit, or 600 TL if you already have one.
- Electricity: 1,500 TL.
Pay attention to the water deposit: the difference is almost 15 times. If you apply for a residence permit right after the purchase, it is sometimes more cost-effective to connect the water once you have it.
The main expense: TAPU tax
All other expenses
Water and electricity connection
On average, transaction costs consist of two parts:
With these figures, you can plan your budget with confidence, and there will be no surprises on the day of the transaction.
- TAPU tax - from 0 to 4% of the property value (0% for urban renewal properties);
- related expenses - typically $2,000-3,000.
With these figures, you can plan your budget with confidence, and there will be no surprises on the day of the transaction.
What it all adds up to
You can save on the power of attorney: if you attend the transaction in person, you don't need a notarized power of attorney. Another legal way to save is to choose a property under the urban renewal program.
You cannot save on tax by understating the price in the TAPU. This is the first thing I warn Clients about. An understated price in the TAPU backfires on you: when you sell, you'll owe tax on the difference, and the property may simply not qualify for a residence permit or citizenship.
At DDA Real Estate Turkey, we give each Client a full breakdown of all costs for their property in advance, before any deposit is paid. You know the final amount before you make your decision.
Amounts are current as of publication and may change along with rates and the lira exchange rate.
You cannot save on tax by understating the price in the TAPU. This is the first thing I warn Clients about. An understated price in the TAPU backfires on you: when you sell, you'll owe tax on the difference, and the property may simply not qualify for a residence permit or citizenship.
At DDA Real Estate Turkey, we give each Client a full breakdown of all costs for their property in advance, before any deposit is paid. You know the final amount before you make your decision.
Amounts are current as of publication and may change along with rates and the lira exchange rate.
Where you can save and where you can't
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