Russians Buying Property in Turkey: Rules, Payments and Residence (2026)

Yes, Russian citizens can buy property in Turkey in their own name with full freehold title, and they have been the largest group of foreign buyers in the country through 2026. The purchase itself is straightforward. The two areas that need planning are how the money reaches Turkey through the banking system and what the purchase means for residence.

Last reviewed November 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice.

Russians are Turkey's largest foreign buyer group

Turkish Statistical Institute figures reported through 2026 show Russian nationals at the top of the foreign-buyer table month after month, for example 263 homes in April and 268 in May. Antalya, Istanbul and Mersin are the main destinations.

Can Russians legally own property in Turkey?

Yes. Article 35 of the Land Registry Law lets foreign nationals of permitted countries acquire real estate, capped at 30 hectares per person nationwide and 10% of the privately owned area of any district. Property in military and special security zones is excluded. Title is registered at the Land Registry in the buyer's own name.

The purchase process

1. Obtain a Turkish tax number and open a bank account.
2. Reserve the property and have a lawyer run the title and contract checks.
3. Obtain the official valuation report required for foreign buyers.
4. Bring the funds into Turkey through a bank and obtain the currency exchange certificate the Land Registry asks for.
5. Complete the title-deed transfer, in person or by power of attorney.

The whole purchase can be done without travelling; see how to buy remotely.

Paying for the property

International sanctions have cut many Russian banks off from standard transfer channels, so payments from Russia can be slow, and some are refused. Turkish banks also apply source-of-funds checks to incoming money. Three practical points:

• Ask your Turkish bank, before you sign, which incoming routes and currencies it accepts for your case.
• Keep documents showing where the money comes from: sale contracts, bank statements, tax returns.
• Pay only through banks, into the seller's or the secure payment account, so that the Land Registry certificate can be issued. We do not arrange informal or cash transfers.

See how to transfer money to Turkey and how property payments are protected.

Residence permits

Owning a home can support a short-term residence permit, subject to a minimum property value. Separately, Turkey closes neighbourhoods to new foreign residence registrations once foreigners reach a set share of the local population. A home in a closed neighbourhood can still be bought, but it may not support a first residence permit. Check both points before you commit; details are in our residence permit guide.

Citizenship by investment

A purchase of at least $400,000, held for three years, qualifies the buyer, spouse and children under 18 to apply for Turkish citizenship. Of our 498 listings, 300 are citizenship-eligible; browse them on the citizenship properties page.

Taxes

Turkey taxes rental income and gains on Turkish property, and charges a title deed fee and annual property tax; see the property tax guide. Russia and Turkey have a double taxation agreement that has applied since the turn of the 2000s. Russia suspended parts of many of its tax treaties in August 2023, so ask a tax adviser how the agreement applies to you today.

Where Russians buy, and current prices

District-level figures are in the Turkey Property Price Index. For the Antalya market in detail, read the Antalya buying guide.

Frequently asked questions

Sources: Land Registry Law No. 2644, Art. 35; Turkish Statistical Institute monthly house sales data as reported by Daily Sabah and Anadolu Agency, 2026; Homes of Turkey listing data, November 2026.