Турция
From October 1, 2026, the use of the Secure Payment System will become mandatory for real estate transactions in Turkey. The new rules will apply to payments between buyers and sellers and are intended to make the transfer of funds during property transactions safer.
The system was originally scheduled to launch on July 1, 2026. However, the Turkish Ministry of Trade postponed its introduction for three months, until October 1, to complete the necessary technical preparations and system integration.
How payments will be made
If the property price is paid in full or in part by cash, bank transfer or electronic funds transfer, the payment must be processed through the Güvenli Ödeme Sistemi — the Secure Payment System.
The system synchronises the payment with the transfer of property ownership. The buyer’s funds are transferred in advance to a protected account and held there until the transaction is registered at the Land Registry Office, known in Turkey as Tapu.
Once the transfer of ownership has been registered, the system receives confirmation and releases the blocked amount to the seller. If the transaction is cancelled for any reason, the funds are returned to the buyer.
This approach addresses one of the main concerns associated with property purchases: the buyer does not have to transfer the full amount to the seller before receiving legal ownership, while the seller does not have to transfer the property before the availability of funds has been confirmed.
Why the new system is being introduced
According to the Turkish Ministry of Trade, one of the main objectives is to reduce the risks of fraud, theft and counterfeit payments, as well as to limit unregistered transactions in the real estate market. The new system also eliminates the need to transport large amounts of cash.
The change is particularly important for high-value transactions, where the time between payment and registration of ownership can create financial risks for one of the parties.
What will change for foreign buyers
Foreign buyers planning to purchase property in Turkey will also need to take the new payment procedure into account. Before completing a transaction, buyers should confirm the payment method, bank details and documents required for property registration.
The new system does not change the general procedure for registering property ownership. The transaction will still be completed through the registration of the ownership transfer at the Land Registry Office. The main change concerns the mechanism used to transfer money between the parties.
Buyers planning to purchase property after October 1, 2026, are advised to confirm the payment procedure in advance and prepare the required banking information to avoid delays during registration.
The introduction of the Secure Payment System is part of broader changes in Turkey’s real estate market aimed at increasing transaction transparency and protecting both buyers and sellers.
