1. Information on Turkey
What are the best times of year to come over? What is the weather like in winter - would it be deserted and bleak?
Summer time (May - October) is the best in Turkey for the weather and the majority of holiday resorts can be found on the southern and western coasts of the country. These places experience more than seven months of sunshine per year. Winter is much milder than many parts of Europe, however it can rain heavily and frequently. The smaller coastal resorts generally close for the winter.

What are the medical services like in Turkey? I am concerned that we wouldn't receive the same level of care that we currently get at home.
There are no NHS hospitals in Turkey - it has both Government and privately-owned hospitals. The private hospitals are generally 40% cheaper than their European counterparts, and the medical services are good with often one-to-one patient care. Private health insurance can also be purchased in Turkey.

What about the euro - is this currency accepted in Turkey?
Yes. As is the UK pound and US dollar.

Are locals accepting of foreigners?
The majority of locals are very accepting of foreigners, and are keen to have them as their neighbor. However, it is important that foreign property buyers respect the Turkish traditions and culture.


2. Legal and financial information
Leasehold or Freehold?
The majority of property in Turkey is on a freehold basis. Occasionally, there are leasehold properties, often referred to as cooperatives. Should you opt to purchase one of these, then you will need to be informed of the cooperative system in place.

Can I buy my property without a lawyer?
Yes, theoretically it is possible, everything can be done through the local Land Registry Office. However, we strongly advise you do use a lawyer. They lawyer will represent your interests throughout the entire purchase process.

How long before I own the property?
Foreigners can buy property in their own name in certain areas of Turkey, and the process of obtaining the Title Deeds varies from resort to resort. In some areas it is as little as one months, in others, the process can take up to two - three months. A military check is carried out on the property making sure it is not in military zone before the title deeds are authorized.

Who inherits our property if one of us dies?
According to Turkish Law, the property automatically goes to spouse and children. To make amendments on the Title Deeds would involve legal assistance.

Can we take our money back out of Turkey if we sell our property?
Yes, you are able to take money back out of the country in pounds sterling or euro, via a bank is the preferred option, as this registers the money both arriving into and departing from the country. However, you will be liable to Capital Gains Tax (for the first five years), and this is on a sliding scale.

Do I have to pay taxes?
Yes, in general this is 1.5% for the buyer and 1.5% for the seller.

There is also a community tax, which is generally paid twice yearly - this is for local services and maintenance. This is very minimal in comparison to many other countries. There is also a rentals tax that should be paid if you are renting out your property.

Are there any charges when owning a property in a complex?
When purchasing a property in a complex with other homes, the average annual charge for upkeep is €200-400. The charge depends on the complex and any work that has been carried out, such as swimming pool cleaning and gardening.

Are there other costs associated with purchasing property?
Yes, these include an agency commission fee (usually around 3%), utility connection charges, mapping fees (in some resorts), and furnishing your property. We generally tend to advise clients that they should look to pay approx. 7-10% of the total value of the property, as shown on the Title Deeds, for extra costs.

Can I purchase more that one property?
Yes. Property deeds can also have more than one name on them. 


3. General questions

If I own a property in Turkey, is there a limit to the number of times I can come over in a year, or the duration of any of these visits?
There is no limit to the amount of times that you may visit Turkey in a year. On entering the country, you will pay €10 for a three-month visa. Should you enter the country again within the same three month period, you can use the same visa, but this visa is valid from the date of your first entry, not the second. Therefore you do need to check when your original visa runs out as that will still apply.

What voltage is the electricity?
Turkey's electricity is 220 volts. In some areas where power surges are a factor, the purchase of a regulator is a necessity, as it smoothes out these surges before they reach the electrical goods in your home.

Do houses have gas?
In tourist resorts, gas is available, as a form of heating gas fires, or for cooking via a bottle.

Are we able to drink the tap water?
Bottled water should always be used for drinking. Some areas do have purer water than others, however we would advise drinking bottled water, which is very cheap to buy.

Can we install satellite TV?
This is readily available in many languages, including English and German. In order to have all documentation in your own names, a residency visa is required. There is a wide selection of satellite packages available in Turkey.

Can we have a telephone?
Yes, through the national telephone company Turk Telekom. Bills need to be paid on a monthly basis. To obtain documentation in your own name, a residency visa is required.

Can I open a bank account in Turkey if I own a property there?
Foreigners can open an account at a number of the Turkish banks. Your passport is always required when going inside a bank. Cash point cards are available and can be applied for once the account is open. A bank account is useful for setting up direct debits for utility bills.

Should we have air-conditioning?
Air-conditioning is a must for the really hot months of July and August. Most of the modern units are split units and so can blow out cold air when it is hot and warm air when it gets cold. An air conditioning unit would cost on average between £200-700, depending on room size, for a high standard unit.

What is the minimum needed to furnish our property?
There are a wide range of furniture and electrical goods shops in Turkey, and prices vary according to quality. To furnish a two-bedroom apartment with enough to make it comfortable for holiday purposes, you should expect to set aside a minimum of £2000-3000. Please note that this price does not include air-conditioning.

Can we bring our own furniture from abroad?
There are many companies offering international removal services. However, we would recommend selling your furniture at home and buying the items in Turkey instead. Electrical goods are heavily taxed on entry, plus the whole process can be a lengthy one.

What about bringing pets into Turkey?
It is possible to bring a pet into Turkey with its own passport. However, on returning to the UK you would be subject to quarantine laws.

What about insurance?
On property, there are plenty of companies offering comprehensive annual cover. We advise all clients to insure their properties, and can recommend good companies to go with. Earthquake insurance is a necessity on those properties that reside in an earthquake region. 

Health insurance is also available and there are a number of suitable policies to choose from.

How do we travel to and around Turkey?
The country’s coastal areas are serviced by the following airports: Izmir, Bodrum, Dalaman and Antalya - all of which are open all year round. Traveling around Turkey is easy - there is a good network of local roads, with bus routes, and cheap taxi services.



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