Inheritance law

Inheritance Law in Turkey

Foreign nationals with assets in Turkey — whether property, bank accounts, or business interests — need to understand how Turkish inheritance law applies to their estate and to the estates of family members from whom they may inherit. Turkey’s inheritance framework is governed by its own statutory rules, which do not automatically yield to the wishes expressed in a foreign will or the inheritance law of another country. Without proper planning and legal guidance, the distribution of assets in Turkey can become a lengthy and costly process for surviving family members.

At Soylu Law, we assist foreign nationals in all matters relating to inheritance in Turkey — from estate planning and will drafting through to the administration of estates and the enforcement of inheritance rights before Turkish courts.

We Provide Legal Assistance In:

• Will drafting and estate planning for foreign nationals in Turkey
• Inheritance proceedings for property and assets located in Turkey
• Certificate of inheritance (veraset ilamı) for foreign heirs
• Recognition of foreign wills in Turkey
• Disputes between heirs and contesting of wills
• Forced heirship rights and reserved shares
• Inheritance tax guidance
• Transfer of inherited property to foreign nationals
• Inheritance rights of foreign spouses
• Estate administration and asset liquidation

Which Law Applies to Your Estate in Turkey?

Under Private International Law (Law No. 5718), Turkish courts apply the national law of the deceased to matters of inheritance. This means that if a foreign national passes away leaving assets in Turkey, the inheritance may in principle be governed by the law of that person’s home country — subject to important exceptions where Turkish law will override, particularly regarding immovable property located in Turkey.

For immovable property — land, apartments, and buildings — Turkish courts consistently apply Turkish law regardless of the nationality of the deceased. This is a critical distinction for foreign nationals who assume that a will prepared in their home country will be sufficient to govern the transfer of their Turkish property.

Inheriting Property in Turkey as a Foreign National

Foreign nationals who inherit property located in Turkey must initiate proceedings before the Turkish courts or notary offices to establish their right to the estate. The first step is typically obtaining a certificate of inheritance (veraset ilamı), which formally recognizes the heirs and their respective shares under applicable law. Where the deceased was a foreign national, additional documentation — including apostilled death certificates, family registry records, and in some cases a determination of the applicable foreign law — will be required.

Foreign nationals inheriting Turkish real estate must also comply with the same restrictions that apply to property purchases — meaning that nationals of certain countries may face limitations on their ability to hold inherited property in Turkey, and may be required to sell within a specified period.

Forced Heirship and Reserved Shares

Turkish inheritance law — governed by the Turkish Civil Code (Law No. 4721) — provides for a system of forced heirship, under which certain close relatives are entitled to a reserved share of the estate regardless of the contents of any will. Descendants, parents, and in certain circumstances spouses are protected heirs whose minimum entitlement cannot be reduced by testamentary disposition. Foreign nationals drafting wills that include Turkish assets should ensure that these provisions are taken into account, as a will that conflicts with Turkish forced heirship rules will be partially invalid with respect to assets located in Turkey.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Inheritance proceedings in Turkey involve multiple authorities — notary offices, civil courts, land registry offices, and tax authorities — and are conducted entirely in Turkish. For foreign heirs managing this process from abroad, the procedural complexity is compounded by distance and unfamiliarity with the system.

At Soylu Law, we communicate with our foreign clients in English, ensuring that you understand every step of your case. We manage the full inheritance process on behalf of foreign heirs, minimizing the need for physical presence in Turkey wherever possible.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We are available online for clients located outside Turkey.