Turkey introduces a mandatory secure payment system for property transactions

From 1 July 2026, a decree issued by the Ministry of Trade will come into force in Turkey, making the use of the secure payment system (Güvenli Ödeme Sistemi) mandatory for all property transactions.

Under amendments to the Regulation on Real Estate Transactions, all payments – whether the full amount or partial payments, including funds exceeding the amount of a bank loan – for the sale and purchase of residential property, land plots and other real estate must be made exclusively through this system. The buyer’s funds will be held in a special account until the transfer of ownership (tapu) is officially registered in the land registry. Once registration is confirmed, the funds are automatically transferred to the seller.

The new procedure aims to increase market transparency, minimise the risk of fraud and protect the interests of both parties to the transaction. Until 1 July 2026, use of the system remains voluntary. The Ministry of Trade reserves the right to extend the transition period by three months if necessary.

The decree was published in the Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete) on 29 April 2026.

According to experts, the new system will have a particularly positive impact on the market for foreign investors, reduce the volume of ‘grey’ transactions, boost confidence in the Turkish property market and lead to a reduction in the number of legal disputes. A commission is payable for using the system, which is deducted from the amount transferred to the seller.

The changes form part of Turkey’s consistent policy to improve the investment climate and bring business regulations into line with international security standards.