Turkey to mandate secure payment system for real estate sales

Turkey is set to implement a mandatory Secure Payment System for real estate transactions starting October 1, 2026. This new regulation aims to synchronize the transfer of property ownership with the transfer of funds, ensuring that the sale price is only released to the seller once the title deed transfer is officially completed at the land registry.

Under the new system, funds paid by the buyer will be held in a secure account and will not be transferred directly between parties outside the system. This mechanism is designed to mitigate risks such as fraud, theft, and forgery, while also reducing the need for carrying large amounts of cash and combating unregistered economic activity.

Real estate professionals will play a role in supporting clients through this transition. Burak Arpacı, President of the Ankara All Real Estate Agents Professional Chamber, noted that the system does not exclude agents and will help reduce grievances by ensuring transactions are officially recorded. Experts also advise citizens to work with authorized real estate consultants to avoid risks associated with unregistered individuals.