Can You Sell the Property After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship?
- Özgür Kurucuk
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’ve secured Turkish citizenship by investment, congratulations — you now belong to one of the most dynamic nations bridging Europe and Asia. But many investors ask the same follow-up question:
“Can I sell my property after obtaining Turkish citizenship?”
The short answer is yes, you can — but timing is everything.
Under Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and the Regulation on its Implementation, properties purchased for citizenship purposes must be held for at least three years from the day the title deed (TAPU) is registered in your name. This restriction — called the Condition of Not Selling for 3 Years — ensures that your investment genuinely contributes to the Turkish economy.
Once this 3-year period passes, you’re completely free to sell, transfer, or reinvest the property without affecting your citizenship status.
At Kurucuk & Associates, a leading Istanbul-based law firm specializing in Turkish citizenship by investment, we help investors manage every stage of the process — from purchase to eventual resale — while protecting both your citizenship status and financial returns.
What Happens to the Property After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship?
When you obtain Turkish citizenship through real estate investment, the property’s title deed (TAPU) includes a legal annotation — a note that says the property cannot be sold or transferred for three years.
This restriction is enforced by the Land Registry and Cadastre Office (Tapu Dairesi) under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
In simple terms:
You own the property fully, but cannot sell or transfer it for three years.
The restriction is visible on the TAPU and acts as a safeguard for the citizenship process.
After three years, the annotation is lifted automatically or upon request — allowing you to sell freely.
This system protects the integrity of the Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program, ensuring that investors remain committed for at least the minimum holding period.
The 3-Year Property Retention Requirement Explained
The 3-year retention rule is the cornerstone of real estate-based citizenship. It’s simple, but it must be respected carefully.
When the 3-year period begins and ends
Your timeline begins the moment the title deed (TAPU) is registered in your name at the Land Registry Office.
Example:
If your TAPU was registered on 1 March 2026, your property becomes eligible for sale on 2 March 2029.
The countdown starts from that exact date — not the date of purchase, payment, or application submission.
What if you sell early?
Selling the property before completing three years can have serious consequences.
Your citizenship may be revoked, since the sale violates one of the key conditions under which it was granted.
You could face administrative penalties or have your application retroactively canceled.
Put simply, don’t sell early. Even an unintentional breach can lead to long-term complications.
Are there exceptions?
Only in extraordinary cases — such as natural disasters or force majeure — might the authorities consider exceptions. Even then, it requires special permission from the Ministry of Interior or the Presidency.
For 99% of investors, there are no exceptions. The best strategy is to plan your investment and exit timing carefully with your lawyer.
Selling the Property After Citizenship — The Legal Process
Once your 3-year holding period has passed, selling your property is straightforward — provided you follow proper legal steps.
Here’s how the process works in practice:
1. Confirm the 3-year period
Your lawyer will obtain an official extract from the Tapu Dairesi showing the TAPU registration date and verifying that the 3-year restriction is expired or lifted.
2. Get a property valuation
Order an official valuation report (Ekspertiz Raporu) to determine the property’s fair market price.
This is especially important for foreign buyers and ensures transparency for both parties.
3. Manage tax obligations
Before finalizing the sale, calculate your capital gains tax (Gayrimenkul Satış Kazancı Vergisi) — the tax on the profit made from selling your property.
If you’ve held the property for more than five years, you might be eligible for capital gains exemptions under Turkish tax law.
4. Sign and notarize the sale agreement
Your lawyer will draft a Turkish-law compliant sales contract, handle translations, and notarize all documents to ensure smooth execution.
5. Finalize the sale at the Land Registry
Both buyer and seller must attend (or be represented via Power of Attorney) at the Land Registry Office to complete the title transfer.
Once registered, your sale is official.
6. Declare and pay applicable taxes
Declare any profits and pay property transfer tax (Tapu Harcı) — typically 4% of the sale price, usually paid by the buyer but negotiable.
Tax Implications & Financial Considerations
Selling your citizenship property brings both opportunity and tax responsibility. Here’s what you should know.
Tax Item | Before 3-Year Mark (not allowed) | After 3-Year Mark |
Capital Gains Tax | Risk of citizenship revocation + taxable gain | Taxable if sold before 5 years; exempt if held beyond 5 years |
Property Transfer Tax (Tapu Harcı) | Typically 4% (often buyer pays) | Same — 4%, may be negotiated |
Income Tax / Declaration | Applies to non-resident income | Same rules apply |
Citizenship Status Impact | Revocation possible | Citizenship remains permanent |
The bottom line: selling after the 3-year rule means your citizenship is safe, and you only need to comply with standard tax obligations.
Can You Lose Citizenship After Selling the Property?
No — not if you’ve met the 3-year condition.
Once you’ve held the property for the full three years and your citizenship is granted, it becomes permanent. Selling the property afterward has no effect on your Turkish nationality.
However, if you sell the property before the condition expires, the government can revoke your citizenship under the Regulation on the Implementation of Turkish Citizenship Law for non-compliance.
To stay compliant:
Verify your TAPU date.
Wait until the exact 3-year mark passes.
Consult your lawyer before signing any sale agreement.
Common Scenarios & FAQs
Can I sell my property to a family member after getting citizenship?
Yes — but only after the 3-year restriction ends. Selling to a family member during the restricted period is still considered an early sale.
Do I need to buy another property after I sell?
No. Once you’ve obtained Turkish citizenship, there’s no obligation to maintain or replace the investment.
Can I rent out my property during the 3 years?
Absolutely. You’re free to rent it out and earn income. The restriction applies only to selling, not leasing.
How is the 3-year period calculated?
From the TAPU registration date — not the purchase or application date.
Can my citizenship be revoked if I sell early?
Yes. Selling before the 3-year period violates the investment condition and may lead to revocation.
Investment Perspective — Exit Strategy & ROI
A smart investor doesn’t just think about getting citizenship — they plan their exit strategy from the start.
Turkey’s property market offers strong potential for appreciation, especially in Istanbul, Antalya, and İzmir. The 3-year retention period often aligns with real estate growth cycles, meaning investors can enjoy both citizenship and profit.
Compare this to other global programs:
Turkey: 3-year no-sale requirement.
Caribbean programs: 5-year holding periods (e.g., Grenada, Dominica).
EU routes (like Malta): often require larger investments or donations.
Once your 3-year term ends, you can sell, reinvest, or diversify your portfolio — turning your citizenship property into an active, profitable asset.
Expert Legal Insights — Kurucuk & Associates
At Kurucuk & Associates, we’ve guided hundreds of international investors through every stage of the Turkish citizenship journey — from acquisition to resale.
Our lawyers specialize in:
Real estate due diligence and TAPU clearance
3-year compliance verification
Capital gains and tax optimization
Legal representation during sale transactions
Advisory for post-citizenship investments and asset diversification
Our firm combines deep legal expertise with practical market insight, ensuring your sale is both profitable and compliant. We speak fluent English, Arabic, and Turkish, and we act as your trusted legal partner in every step of your investment life cycle.
Key Takeaways about Main Question 'Can You Sell the Property After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship?'
Yes — you can sell your property after obtaining Turkish citizenship.
The key is timing: wait for the 3-year holding period to expire. Once that’s done, you’re free to sell, transfer, or reinvest — without risking your citizenship.
Checklist before selling:
✅ Confirm the exact TAPU registration date.
✅ Verify that the 3-year annotation is lifted.
✅ Obtain a valuation report.
✅ Review tax implications with your lawyer.
✅ Complete the sale through the Land Registry.
Your citizenship remains permanent. Your investment, flexible. Your next opportunity — unlimited.
Need Legal Help Selling Your Citizenship Property in Turkey?
Kurucuk & Associates, Istanbul’s trusted English-speaking law firm, offers tailored assistance for property sales, taxation, and compliance under the Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program.
📍 Contact us today to discuss your situation in confidence.
Our Turkish Citizenship by Investment team will handle the paperwork, taxes, and Tapu procedures — so you can focus on what matters most: your investment’s success.
