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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
At the beginning of 2006, the legislation was adapted to enable foreigners - from countries where a reciprocal agreement is in place with Turkey - to purchase land in municipality areas only. Additionally, they are limited to the amount of land they can purchase - a minimum of 2.5 hectares, and a maximum of 30 hectares.
Mortgages have launched in March 2007 for foreigners looking to purchase property in Turkey. We at Turkish Property World have now direct financing available with UK brokers. The mortgage is based on the actual property you buy in Turkey, and not your UK assets. Surveyors are carried out by a UK Surveyor for the property of your choice in Turkey.
Following the troubles in Iraq, is now a good time to be buying a property in Turkey, as the country shares a border with Iraq?
The South Western coast of Turkey (the main tourist area) is around 75 to 90 minutes by plane from the Iraqi border. The clash has no connection from Antalya where normal everyday life couldn't be better.
There were tourist bombings in 2006, is now a safe time to buy?
These bombs were in tourist resorts during the summer. There are currently no Foreign Office warnings advising on not to travel to these areas. And, we would always recommend that visitors refer to this web site before looking to travel.
What is the average cost of a house, what constitutes quality and what doesn't?
In all areas of Turkey, prices do vary enormously. In general, the average price for a two-bed apartment is around €50-60,000, and €100,000 for a three-bed villa. When it comes to quality, there are huge variations, so don't be afraid to pose the question to your agent.
If I purchase a property in Turkey, will this give me citizenship, or any citizenship rights?
Buying a property does not give you any citizenship rights. A residency visa is still to be applied for should you wish to stay in the country for long periods of time. The approx. cost for a five-year visa is €900-1000.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mobile telephones are bought separately in Turkey, you then can choose whether you prefer pay-as-you-go or by monthly subscription. A foreigner cannot buy a SIM card unless they have Turkish citizenship.
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.
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 €250-700, 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.
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.
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.
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.
