Türkiye plans to make its Secure Payment System mandatory for property sales from 1 October 2026. Where some or all of the price is paid in cash, by bank transfer or electronic funds transfer, the money must move through an approved mechanism that links payment to the Land Registry transfer. The Ministry of Trade says the objective is simultaneous exchange of ownership and money, reducing non-payment, theft, fraud and unrecorded transactions. A 16 September reminder from the property profession makes the approaching deadline operationally important for overseas buyers.
Money is held until the title changes hands
The published workflow places the agreed sale price in a blocked payment account. The parties use a reference number and begin the title-deed process; the money is released to the seller only after the Land Registry confirms the transfer. If the transfer fails, the funds remain protected and are returned under the system process. A service fee is expected to be deducted from the amount sent to the seller.
The rule covers individuals and companies
The official framework covers a property owner transferring title and the buyer receiving it, including both natural persons and legal entities. It is not limited to transactions arranged by an estate agent. Agents may guide the parties, but the payment and title steps run through the participating financial institution and the Land Registry.
Overseas buyers should test the banking route early
Before the appointment, confirm which participating institution will handle the payment, whose name the source account must carry, transfer limits, cut-off times, service charges and whether the agreed currency must be converted to lira. Also confirm access to e-Devlet or the alternative procedure for a foreign buyer. The public Ministry notice does not list every participating institution, supported currency or non-resident identity route, so do not assume your normal international transfer will automatically fit the process.
Do not split the real price off the official record
The professional warning published on 16 September specifically cautions against declaring only a lower official value and paying the balance outside the secure system. Buyers should ensure that the contract, bank trail and declared sale price are consistent. A secure-payment reference does not validate the property's legal condition or make an inaccurate declaration safe.
Payment protection is not legal due diligence
The system addresses the timing and security of the money transfer. It does not replace checks of title ownership, liens, mortgages, zoning, occupancy permission, earthquake and building records, valuation, tax, power of attorney or citizenship eligibility. Ask the bank, Land Registry and an independent lawyer to confirm the exact process in writing before sending funds, particularly for deposits, reservation payments or multi-currency deals not fully explained in the public notice.
Anadolu Agency — authorised-adviser warning before the system starts, 16 September 2026 →
Anadolu Agency — five-question explainer on the secure-payment workflow, 29 June 2026 →