Property tax in Turkey: UK guide

The contents of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Decisions related to tax should be made after thorough research, consultation and verification from a qualified financial and legal advisor.

Considering buying property in Turkey? It might be a holiday home, rental property or perhaps even a permanent home, if you’re planning to move there from the UK.

Whatever your plans, one important thing you’ll need to know about are property taxes in Turkey - and how they apply to foreign nationals. We’re here to help, with a rundown of all the main Turkish property taxes you need to know about, including the latest tax rates.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to pay property tax and other expenses in Turkey from the money services provider Wise - the Wise account. It’s not a bank account but offers some similar features, and your money is safeguarded.

Over 14.8 million people worldwide use Wise to send, spend and convert money in pounds and 40+ more currencies – for low, transparent fees* and no-markup exchange rates close to what you can see on Google. Plus, you’ll get dedicated support and volume discounts when sending large amounts.

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Do foreigners pay tax in Turkey?

Yes, foreign nationals - including British citizens - do pay tax in Turkey, but it all depends on whether they are classed as resident or non-resident for tax purposes.

You’re considered a tax resident of Turkey if you live there permanently or spent more than 183 days in the country in a tax year.¹

If you’re classed as a resident, this means you have to pay income and other taxes on worldwide earnings and income.

If you spend less than 183 days in the country (for example, if you split your time between Turkey and the UK, or another country) per year, you’re considered a non-resident.

This means you’ll only have to pay income tax on anything you earn in Turkey. Other income and earnings will be taxed in the country you’re considered to be domiciled or a permanent resident in - for example, the UK.

Who has to pay property tax in Turkey?

Everyone who buys, sells or owns property in Turkey will probably have to pay property tax.

This includes people classed as non-resident for tax purposes, if they own property and/or earn income from property.

So you’ll need to pay annual property taxes if you own real estate there, and income tax if you earn rental income from a house or apartment in Turkey that you let out short or long-term.

Property taxes in Turkey for foreigners - an overview

If you buy, sell, own or rent out property in Turkey, you’ll need to read up on the different types of property taxes and which ones apply to you.

To help make it a little easier, here’s a handy at-a-glance overview:²

Taxes when you buy a property in Turkey

Title Deed Transfer Tax (Tapu Harcı)

When you buy property in Turkey, you’ll need to pay the Title Deed Transfer Tax known as Tapu Harcı. This is currently set at a flat rate of 4%. It’s supposed to be split equally between buyer and seller, but it’s common for buyers to pay the whole amount.²

Stamp Duty

When you sign the purchase contract to buy your new home, you’ll need to pay Stamp Duty of between 0.1% to 0.6% depending on the value of the property.²

VAT

VAT may also be due when you buy a property in Turkey. The rate varies by the size of property:²

• 1% for properties under 150m2
• 8% for properties over 150m2
• 18% for commercial properties.

However, foreign citizens who buy property from a developer are exempt from paying VAT.

Taxes for selling property in Turkey

Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

When you sell a property in Turkey, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This is paid only on the profit you make, which in Turkey is the difference between the cadastral property value stated in the title deeds and the market value at the time of sale.

Rates range from 15% to 27% depending on the amount of profit you make:²

• 15% CGT for gains of up to 13,000 TRY
• 20% for gains between 13,000 and 30,000 TRY
• 27% for gains between 30,000 and 110,000 TRY.

You’ll only pay Capital Gains Tax in Turkey if you sell a property within 5 years of buying it. If you sell after 5 years of ownership, you should be exempt from CGT.²

If you’re not a tax resident of Turkey, it’s likely that the tax rules in your home country (for example, the UK) will apply.

It’s worth getting specialist tax advice on this, to help you understand your obligations and which country’s tax laws apply to you.

Annual property taxes in Turkey

There are also annual taxes every property owner in Turkey must pay, the main one being Emlak Vergisi.

Annual Property Tax (Emlak Vergisi)

Every property owner in Turkey must pay annual property tax known as *Emlak Vergisi. *The standard tax rate is 0.1% of the property value, but this increases to 0.2% in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.²

There are also different rates for commercial and industrial real estate, and land plots.

High-value Residence Tax

If you’re lucky enough to own a luxury property in Turkey, you may have to pay an additional annual tax. This is known as High-value Residence Tax, and it’s a relatively recent introduction to the country’s property tax laws.

This tax applies to property worth over 5 million TRY, and the rate varies between 0.3% to 1% depending on the value.²

Taxes on rental income in Turkey

If you rent out your property in Turkey, you'll need to pay tax on the income you make.

Here are the tax bands you need to know about:²

You should also have a tax-free personal allowance of 6,600 TRY a year.²

Manage your money between the UK and Turkey with Wise

If you own or rent out property abroad while still living in the UK, you’ll need a way to manage your money between currencies. You’ll have bills to pay in Turkey, as well as taxes.

Wise offers a cost-effective solution, with a multi-currency account that lets you manage your money between British pounds (GBP) and Turkish lira (TRY) for low, transparent fees* and mid-market exchange rates.

Plus, you can get a Wise card to spend in TRY whenever you’re next in Turkey. This clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny currency conversion fee, whenever you spend, making it easier to cover everyday expenses.

Sign up with Wise for free

Sources used:

Sources last checked 22-Nov-2025