The inheritance process for the assets of a foreign person in Türkiye (real estate, bank, vehicle) operates in accordance with Turkish law.
Applicable Law (MÖHUK art. 20-21)
- The national law (citizenship) of the testator applies
- For real estate in Türkiye, Turkish Law law (sharing of inheritance)
- National law for bank account/real estate
Process
- Death notification (sent to Türkiye if the person died abroad)
- Inheritance certificate (Turkish Civil Court of Peace)
- Inheritance and Transfer Tax declaration
- Real estate title deed inheritance
- Bank account refund
Inheritance Certificate
- Heirs can apply
- Passport, foreign documents for foreign heirs
- Apostille + translation
Inheritance and Transfer Tax
- Declaration within 4 months
- Foreign heirs also receive tax taxpayer
- Advantage if there is a double taxation agreement
Rights of the Foreign Heir
- Same rights as the Turkish heir
- Rules for foreigners to acquire real estate for real estate in Türkiye (except for the military forbidden zone)
Will
- Foreign nationals can draw up a will
- The form depends on the law of that country or Turkish law. According to
- Foreign wills are enforced in Türkiye
Supreme Court 14. HD
14. HD adopts that when claiming the assets of foreign heirs in Türkiye, the application of "national law + Turkish law" must be done correctly, and most of the time it will be a mixed application.
Inheritance and foreigners law lawyer is recommended.