Ways to Pay for Property in Turkey

One important question that interests absolutely every foreign buyer of property abroad is how to pay for a property purchase in Turkey.

There are various ways to handle this, and they are all fairly simple and accessible. The main rule in 2026: large amounts are best paid by bank transfer, and for citizenship by investment no other method will do.

Buyers from abroad will have no trouble paying for property in Turkey. The exception is transfers from countries under international sanctions: some Turkish banks reject such payments, so the transfer route is agreed with the bank before paying a deposit. Our specialists have prepared a detailed guide on how to do it.

Paying for the deal: the available options

Modern Turkish developers offer a wide range of options for buying property to a broad range of buyers. There are ways to buy a home even if the buyer does not have the full amount. In this case, they can take advantage of offers from construction companies or Turkish banks: an installment plan or a mortgage.

Installment plan. This option is available when buying property at the construction stage. Ideally, the down payment should be no more than 20% of the full price. The remaining amount is paid in installments until construction is completed. The payment schedule is set out in the contract when the deal is concluded. The terms differ from project to project, and the contract and the transaction procedure for property under construction are regulated by law: the developer has no right to take money before the contract is signed.
A mortgage is taken out at a bank at an interest rate of 2.87–3.24% a month, about 34–39% a year (data as of October 2, 2026), for up to 70–90% of the valuation if the home is worth less than TRY 5 million: this is what the rules of the banking regulator BDDK in force since January 2026 allow, depending on the home's energy efficiency class, but each bank sets its own terms for foreigners. Loans are issued only in Turkish lira.

If you have an amount that fully covers the price of the property you have chosen, you can pay for the purchase right away using any method convenient for you. The price on the TAPU is stated in lira, but a foreigner who does not live in Turkey may pay the seller in foreign currency.

Paying by bank transfer

Paying for a property purchase in Turkey by bank transfer is one of the most common ways for the buyer and the seller to settle. With this method, you can transfer funds to the account of the seller or of the Turkish real estate agency you have a contract with, from your personal account in your country of residence. In this case, you will have to pay a commission. For example, banks usually charge a fraction of a percent of the amount, with a minimum and a maximum fee, so check the fee and the transfer route with your bank in advance. We have covered in detail how to choose a bank and a currency and prepare the documents in our article on transferring money to Turkey to buy property.

A bank transfer is the only suitable method if the apartment is being bought for citizenship by investment. In this case, the foreign currency is sold to a Turkish bank, which issues a foreign exchange purchase certificate (döviz alım belgesi) that is then checked when the citizenship application is processed.

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Opening your own account in Turkey and transferring funds from it to the seller's account

Another bank transfer option is to open an account in the buyer's name at a Turkish bank. From this account, you can also make a transfer to the seller or withdraw cash and hand it to the seller. To open an account, you will need your passport and a Turkish tax number; the bank will also ask where the money comes from.

Bank transfer from a legal entity

You can pay for Turkish property from your company's business account, referring to the signed contract. In Turkey, there are no restrictions on bank transfers or cash withdrawals. However, under financial monitoring rules (MASAK), for large amounts the bank requests documents on the source of funds, and the transfer may be delayed while they are checked.

Buying property in Turkey with cash

With this payment method, you can withdraw cash from your personal account at a Turkish bank, cash a bank card or a traveler's check, or bring the cash with you. If you choose the last option, remember that there is a limit on the amount of cash that can be brought in without a declaration, which is €10,000. Since buying property requires a larger amount, you will have to declare it, stating the source of the funds. The amount you can bring into Turkey itself is not limited, but undeclared money may be seized at customs. Also check the rules for taking cash out of the country you are traveling from. There is a commission for cashing traveler's checks, and bank cards also have a daily withdrawal limit. If you do not have enough of your own funds for the purchase, instead of cash you can take out a mortgage from a Turkish bank.

Paying through payment systems

One of the fastest ways to send money to Turkey and pay for property is to use payment systems. In this case, you do not need to open an account to send the funds. Payment system fees range from 1% to 10% depending on the amount transferred. However, the limits on a single transfer in such systems are usually low, so they are used for a deposit or small payments rather than for the full purchase price.

Bank cards

You can keep the money for buying a home in Turkey on a bank card. You can withdraw it from ATMs. But remember that only a limited amount can be withdrawn per day. Cards issued by banks under international sanctions may not work in Turkey at all.

Traveler's checks

The advantage of this payment method is that it is a safe way to carry cash. The checks are issued in your name and are easy to replace if stolen or lost. Cashing checks also involves a certain commission. But traveler's checks have now almost fallen out of use: only a handful of companies issue them, and banks rarely cash them, so you should not count on this method.

Property Purchase Procedure in Turkey for Foreigners

The process of registration of real estate in Turkey

Which methods work for a large amount: a comparison

Method	For the full purchase price	For citizenship	What to consider
Transfer from an account in your home country	Yes	Yes	Fees and timing depend on the bank; agree the route in advance
Transfer from your own account in Turkey	Yes	Yes	You need a tax number and proof of the source of funds
Transfer from a legal entity	Yes	Check separately	The bank will check the basis of the payment and the source of funds
Cash	Yes, with a declaration from €10,000	No	Risk when carrying it, customs declaration
Payment systems	Usually not	No	Low limits and fees of up to 10%
Cards and traveler's checks	No	No	Daily withdrawal limits; checks are rarely accepted

"We advise buyers to make a small test transfer, before paying the deposit, along the same route the main amount will take. That way you can see right away how long the money takes and what documents the bank will ask for. It is best to transfer the main amount once the valuation of the apartment is ready and the date of the Land Registry transaction is known," says a sales manager at Yekta Homes.

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What payments are added to the price of the apartment

In addition to the price of the apartment, in 2026 the buyer pays:

Payment	Amount	How and when it is paid
Title deed transfer fee (tapu harcı)	4% of the price, not less than the tax value; by law split equally with the seller, 2% each	Through a bank before booking the Land Registry appointment
Land Registry fee (döner sermaye)	TRY 20,870	At the same time, before the transaction
Valuation report	Depends on the SPK-licensed valuation company	To the valuer, before the transaction; the report is valid for 3 months
Earthquake insurance (DASK)	TRY 500–3,000 a year	To the insurance company, before the transaction
Sworn translator	At the translator's rate	On the day of the transaction, if the buyer does not speak Turkish
Aidat (complex maintenance fee)	Monthly; the amount is approved by the owners' meeting	To the management company after the apartment is handed over

Which method does not suit whom

Cash, for those buying for citizenship. A bank transfer with a foreign exchange purchase certificate is required.
Payment systems and cards, for those paying the full amount at once. Transfer and withdrawal limits do not allow the full price of an apartment to go through.
An unprepared transfer from a country under sanctions, for those who have not agreed the route with the bank. Some Turkish banks reject such payments, and the money is returned to the sender.

Each of these cases is visible in advance. The solution is usually the same: open an account at a Turkish bank and make a test transfer through it before paying the deposit.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to pay for an apartment in Turkey?

By bank transfer to the seller's account, either from your own account abroad or from an account at a Turkish bank.

Can you pay for an apartment in cash?

Yes, but bringing in €10,000 or more must be declared at customs, and cash is not accepted for citizenship by investment.

In what currency is property in Turkey paid for?

A foreigner who does not live in Turkey may pay in foreign currency; the price on the TAPU is stated in lira. Mortgages are issued only in lira.

What costs are there besides the price of the apartment?

A 4% title deed transfer fee (by law split equally with the seller), a TRY 20,870 Land Registry fee, a valuation report, DASK insurance and, if needed, a sworn translator.

How do you transfer money from abroad?

Through a bank and official channels. Some Turkish banks reject payments from countries under sanctions, so the route is agreed before paying a deposit.

We will help you choose a convenient way to pay for property in Turkey

If you are planning to buy an apartment in Turkey, contact us at Yekta Homes. We will find the best options for you at attractive prices from a developer in Turkey, suggest the best way to pay and advise you on other aspects of buying property abroad. To get started, leave a request on our website or call us at +90 533 782 0000.