Your matters in Turkey, wherever you are in the world, in one case file
We work the same way in every area: we understand your situation, identify the documents you need, carry out the work with an authorised specialist, and report every step back to you.
Inheritance and estates
A house, a plot of land or a bank account left by a parent. When some heirs live abroad and others in Turkey, this is where things most often get stuck.
What we do
- We obtain the certificate of inheritance (veraset ilamı) from a notary or the civil court of peace (sulh hukuk mahkemesi)
- We handle the apostille, translation and, where needed, the recognition process so that a certificate of inheritance issued abroad (e.g. a German Erbschein) can be used in Turkey
- We have the inheritance and transfer tax (veraset ve intikal vergisi) return prepared by an accountant
- We map out the route for transferring the title deed (tapu) to the heirs, dissolving joint ownership, or selling
What we need from you
- Details of the deceased and any properties you know of
- A power of attorney signed at the consulate (we arrange the appointment and the wording)
Property and rentals
You don’t need to be in Turkey to sell your home there, buy a new flat, or deal with a tenant who won’t pay.
What we do
- For purchases and sales: checks on the land registry record, zoning status, liens and mortgages
- Follow-up of land registry transactions by power of attorney, and management of appointments
- Rental agreements, follow-up of rent payments, formal notices and eviction proceedings
- Checks on outstanding building fees, property tax and utility bills
What we need from you
- Title deed details or the address
- A power of attorney suited to the transaction
Pensions and buy-back
The years you worked abroad may count towards your pension in Turkey. Getting the calculation right can make a real difference to your pension.
What we do
- We work out whether you qualify for foreign service buy-back (yurt dışı hizmet borçlanması) and what it will cost
- We make sure the insurance record from the country where you worked is prepared in a form SGK (Turkish Social Security) will accept
- We follow up your SGK application and the process of having your pension granted
- We explain clearly what to watch out for when drawing a pension from both countries
What we need from you
- Your insurance record from the social security institution of the country where you worked
- Details of any SGK history you have in Turkey
Blue Card and citizenship
Whether you are becoming a citizen of another country or already are one, your records need to be correct to protect your rights in Turkey.
What we do
- Mavi Kart (Blue Card) applications and renewals
- Registration procedures for dual citizenship and after giving up Turkish citizenship
- Updates to civil registry records for marriages, births and surnames
- Residence permit procedures for a foreign spouse and children
What we need from you
- Your ID and passport details
- The relevant documents you received from the authorities in the country where you live
Foreign documents and rulings
For a document issued abroad to be of any use in Turkey, it has to be certified and translated in the right order.
What we do
- Apostille and sworn translation
- Coordination with lawyers for the recognition and enforcement (tanıma ve tenfiz) of foreign court rulings in Turkey
- Checking in advance which authority will accept the document, and in what form
What we need from you
- The original document or a certified copy
Family and custody
You divorced abroad, but in Turkey you are still recorded as married. That causes problems with inheritance, remarriage and property transactions.
What we do
- Recognition of your divorce decree in Turkey and its entry in the civil registry
- Follow-up of custody and maintenance decisions
- Coordination with lawyers in international child abduction cases (Hague Convention)
What we need from you
- A copy of the decree with a certificate of finality
Tax
A home you rent out in Turkey can create tax obligations even if you live abroad. Forgotten returns turn into penalties.
What we do
- Preparation of your rental income tax return with an accountant
- Checking and paying property tax and other outstanding amounts
- A way forward for debts and penalties from previous years
What we need from you
- Property and rental details
- Your tax number or Turkish ID number (T.C. kimlik numarası)
Company and customs
Starting a business in Turkey, or getting your car or belongings released from customs, shouldn’t take endless back-and-forth.
What we do
- Company formation, trade registry and tax registration
- Follow-up of applications concerning foreign-plated vehicles and customs penalties
- Household goods procedures when moving
Banking and fraud
A frozen account, a timeshare you were talked into, a payment that never came back. These are the hardest matters to follow up from a distance.
What we do
- Applications to the bank for frozen and dormant accounts
- Consumer rights applications for timeshare and similar contracts
- Criminal complaints to the public prosecutor and follow-up of the case with a lawyer
Matters that require filing a lawsuit or representation in court are handled by our partner lawyers, under a power of attorney issued in your name. Throughout, AREF takes care of following up your case and keeping in touch with you.