Tapu (Title Deed)

It is the only legal document establishing ownership — a sales contract signed with a developer or seller does not, on its own, transfer title.

Where it fits in a deal

Registering the Tapu is the final and central step of a purchase. The transfer takes place at the local land registry office, in the presence of the seller, the buyer (or their notarized representatives), and — if the foreign buyer doesn't speak Turkish — a sworn interpreter.

Required conditions and costs

Title deed transfer tax (Tapu Harcı). 4% of the value declared to the registry. By law it's split evenly between the parties (2% each), but in practice on the foreign-buyer market it's usually paid in full by the buyer, unless the contract states otherwise.

DAB certificate (Döviz Alım Belgesi). Before filing with the registry, a foreign buyer must exchange currency into Turkish lira through a bank and obtain the official exchange certificate. Without a DAB, the transaction cannot proceed.

Insurance. A valid DASK policy must be in place before registration begins.

Types of Tapu

The document is colour-coded. A pink border (sometimes described as red) is issued for residential and commercial units — apartments, houses, offices. A blue border is issued for land plots with no registered structure.

By ownership status, residential/commercial Tapu falls into two categories:

• Kat İrtifakı — a temporary right to a share in a project still under construction.
• Kat Mülkiyeti — full ownership of a completed property that has received its İskan.