A TAPU is the title deed that confirms registered ownership of property in Turkey. Its full Turkish name is Tapu Senedi. It identifies the apartment, villa or plot, names the owner, records their ownership share and gives the registration details.
While looking for property in Turkey, you may hear “the TAPU is ready” or “the title deed is transferred after full payment.” What does that mean for your purchase? This guide explains what the document contains, what needs checking and how the property is registered in your name.
When Does the Property Become Yours?
You have chosen an apartment, signed the purchase agreement and paid the seller. You might even have the keys. There is still one essential step to complete the purchase.
In a standard sale, ownership passes to you when the transfer is entered in the land registry. The purchase agreement records the terms you and the seller have accepted. Bank records confirm the payments. Having the keys gives you access to the property. Before paying a deposit, establish when the title will be transferred and which conditions must be met. These terms belong in your purchase agreement.
If you lose the paper document, your ownership remains recorded in the land registry. You can request a replacement through the Land Registry Office or Web Tapu.
Where Are Title Deeds Issued in Turkey?
Property registration is handled by the local Land Registry Office, Tapu Müdürlüğü. These offices are part of the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, known as TKGM.
The Alanya Land Registry Office is in Kızlarpınarı. For directions, use the address Kızlarpınarı Mahallesi, Hacıkadiroğlu Sokak No. 16, Alanya, Antalya.
At Musa Homes, we help you choose a property and handle the preparation for the title transfer. Our lawyer checks the property documents. Our team explains the purchase terms and gives you a list of the documents we need from you. Our after-sales team submits the application through the official Web Tapu portal. Once the application has been checked, SMS notifications provide payment information and appointment details. We arrange to meet you and accompany you to the Land Registry Office.
If you cannot stay in Turkey until the transfer is complete, you can authorise our representative through a power of attorney. We help prepare the document with the powers needed for your purchase. Our representative then completes the authorised steps on your behalf, with ownership registered in your name.
How Is a TAPU Different from a Purchase Agreement or an İskan?
Several Turkish documents come up during a purchase. Start with these three.
- Purchase agreement — Records the price, payment terms, included items, deadlines and each party’s obligations
- TAPU — Confirms registered ownership of the property
- İskan (yapı kullanma izin belgesi) — Confirms permission to use the completed building
For a property under construction, our lawyer also checks the building permit (yapı ruhsatı). Our lawyer checks both the title deed and the occupancy permit. The TAPU identifies the registered owner and the property, while the iskan covers the building’s authorised use.
What Information Is on a Turkish Title Deed?
The layout depends on the document’s format and issue date. Start with the information you need to identify the property and its owner.
Location and Property Details
| Turkish field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| İl | Province |
| İlçe | District |
| Mahalle, Köy | Neighbourhood or village |
| Ada | Cadastral block |
| Parsel | Land parcel |
| Pafta | Cadastral map sheet, where included |
| Taşınmaz No | Property identification number |
| Ana Taşınmazın Niteliği | Description of the main property |
| Yüzölçümü | Area recorded in that section |
| Blok, Kat | Building block and floor |
| Bağımsız Bölüm No | Registered independent unit number |
| Niteliği | Property or unit classification |
| Arsa Payı | Land share attached to the unit |
Buying an apartment in Mahmutlar? The province is Antalya, the district is Alanya and the neighbourhood is Mahmutlar.
Mesken means a residential dwelling. Dükkan refers to a shop, arsa to a building plot and tarla to agricultural land.
Owner and Registration Details
| Turkish field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Malik | Registered owner |
| Adı Soyadı | Full name |
| Hisse | Ownership share |
| Edinme Sebebi | Basis of acquisition |
| İşlem Bedeli / Satış Bedeli | Transaction value / sale price |
| Tescil Tarihi | Registration date |
| Yevmiye No | Registry entry number |
| Cilt, Sayfa | Register volume and page, where included |
Check your name, ownership share and property details before signing. Correcting an error at this stage is easier than dealing with it after registration.
How Do You Know the TAPU Relates to the Right Complex?
At Musa Homes, we show you how to check the location before you sign the purchase agreement. We open the official Parsel Sorgu service together and select Antalya, Alanya and the relevant neighbourhood, such as Mahmutlar. We then enter the Ada and Parsel numbers from the title deed and click Sorgula. The map highlights the land parcel. We switch to satellite view, zoom in and look at the surroundings. Can you recognise the swimming pool, neighbouring buildings and road towards the beach? You can now connect the cadastral details with the place you visited.
Which Documents Do Foreign Buyers Need for a TAPU?
The document list depends on your purchase. We check the following items when preparing the application.
- Your passport and a translation where required
- Your identification and tax details
- The seller’s documents and property information
- The municipal property tax value
- DASK compulsory earthquake insurance, where required
- The DAB foreign currency purchase certificate, where applicable
- A power of attorney if someone represents you
If you do not speak Turkish, an authorised interpreter attends the appointment and translates into a language you understand. Before you sign, the interpreter translates the document and the official’s questions, including confirmation that you understand the transaction and are proceeding voluntarily. The interpreter reads out your personal details, the property information, floor, unit number and declared sale price so you can check that everything is correct. You can ask questions and request clarification before signing. Once you have confirmed the details, signed the documents and completed registration, your title deed is issued.
What Is a DAB?
Döviz Alım Belgesi, or DAB, is the bank certificate used for the required foreign currency conversion when a foreign individual buys property in Turkey. Exchanging money at a currency exchange office does not replace this banking procedure. The DAB and the payment receipt for the seller serve different purposes. We explain the banking steps before the payment is made. Valuation requirements depend on the purpose of the transaction. A purchase for Turkish citizenship follows a separate process for confirming the qualifying investment amount.
How Does the TAPU Transfer Work?
Once you have chosen the property and our lawyer has checked the documents, we record the purchase terms in the agreement. These include the property details, price, payment method, included items, title transfer date and key handover. For a furnished apartment, an inventory records what stays. If you are paying in instalments, the agreement includes a payment schedule. It also sets out the conditions for refunding the deposit if a legal obstacle is found.
Our team submits the application documents. The Land Registry Office reviews them and provides instructions about any further requirements, fees and the appointment. We explain how and when payments will be made to the seller, in line with the registration process and applicable banking rules. Before signing, we check the parties’ details, property, ownership shares, declared price and relevant terms again. After registration, you receive confirmation of ownership.
How Much Does a TAPU Transfer Cost in Turkey?
In Alanya, buyers are commonly asked to cover the full title transfer tax under the purchase terms. Where this applies to your transaction, we record it in the agreement. The total transfer tax for a standard sale is 4% of the declared sale price. This must reflect the actual transaction price and cannot be lower than the municipal property tax value. For example, a taxable value of TRY 5,000,000 results in a total transfer tax of TRY 200,000.
Additional costs include the Land Registry service charge, döner sermaye, DASK insurance, the interpreter and any other services needed for your purchase. If you use a power of attorney, its preparation and certification add to the costs. Musa Homes prepares a cost breakdown for the selected property. You can see the purchase price, registration expenses and total budget.
Can a TAPU Support a Turkish Residence Permit Application?
We help you find property suitable for a residence permit application in Turkey and check its address, value and documents against the current requirements. After the purchase, the title deed is registered in your name. Our after-sales team helps you prepare the application documents and submit the residence permit application. You provide your personal documents and attend the immigration appointment. Your TAPU confirms ownership and forms part of the application. The immigration authority decides whether to grant the residence permit.
Planning to Apply for Turkish Citizenship Through Property Investment?
We help you find properties that meet the requirements for Turkish citizenship by investment, starting from USD 400,000. Our lawyer checks the property documents, the seller’s eligibility and the proposed purchase against the programme rules. We help arrange the banking steps and register ownership in your name. A restriction preventing a sale for three years is entered in the land registry. Once the purchase has been registered and investment eligibility confirmed, our lawyer assists with the citizenship application. You provide the personal documents for yourself and any eligible family members included in the application. We explain the document requirements and help with translations and notarisation. Turkish authorities make the citizenship decision.
Buying Property with Musa Homes
Musa Homes has helped buyers purchase property in Turkey since 2009. We are a licensed real estate agency based in Alanya and registered with the Alanya Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
We start with your plans and budget, then select apartments and villas in Alanya, arrange viewings and discuss prices and payment terms. Our lawyer checks the documents and handles the legal work for the purchase. If you would like to explore the neighbourhoods and view homes in person, arrange a property viewing trip with Musa Homes. Your advisor prepares an itinerary around your requirements. Tell us your budget and what you plan to use the property for. We will send you suitable options and explain the documents, purchase costs and title transfer process.
Frequently Asked Questions About TAPU in Turkey
What is a TAPU in Turkey?
A TAPU, formally called Tapu Senedi, is the Turkish title deed confirming registered property ownership. It identifies the property and owner, states the ownership share and records the registration details. In a standard sale, ownership transfers when the purchase is registered.
Where do I get a Turkish title deed?
Title deeds are issued through the Land Registry Office, Tapu Müdürlüğü. At Musa Homes, our after-sales team submits the application through Web Tapu and accompanies you to the appointment once the documents have been checked.
What documents do foreign buyers need for a title deed in Turkey?
Foreign buyers need a passport, a translation where required, and identification and tax details. The application also requires the relevant property documents, municipal tax value, DASK insurance and a DAB certificate where applicable. A representative needs a suitable power of attorney.
Can I get a TAPU without travelling to Turkey?
Yes. A representative can complete the authorised steps under a valid power of attorney. A Turkish consulate in your country may be able to issue it, depending on its requirements and your circumstances. Musa Homes helps prepare the wording for the purchase and registration. The property is registered in your name.
Do I need an interpreter at the title deed appointment?
An authorised interpreter is required if you do not speak Turkish. The interpreter translates the document and the official’s questions. You check your details, the property information and the declared sale price before confirming your agreement and signing.
How much is the title deed transfer tax in Turkey?
For a standard sale, the total title transfer tax is 4% of the declared sale price. This must reflect the actual transaction price and cannot be lower than the municipal property tax value. Your purchase agreement sets out who covers the cost. Service charges, insurance and other required services are additional.
How long does a TAPU transfer take?
In Musa Homes’ experience, registration takes approximately two to five working days after the application is submitted with complete documents. Removing a mortgage, correcting information or supplying additional documents can extend the process to 10–14 working days or longer. These are estimates for planning your purchase.
Can two people be named on a Turkish title deed?
Yes. A property can be registered to two or more owners, with each person’s share recorded. For example, two buyers can each own a half share.
What happens if I lose my TAPU?
Losing the paper title deed does not end your registered ownership. You can request a replacement through the Land Registry Office or the official document services available through Web Tapu.