Foreign nationals resident abroad can be exempt from VAT on the first purchase of a residence or workplace from a construction company in Turkey, provided certain conditions are met. Our partner accountants handle the process from checking eligibility through to closing.
- Scope
- Assessing eligibility for VAT exemption on a first sale to a foreign buyer
- How the Service Works
- Through our partner accountants, in coordination with the construction company
- Relevant Authority
- Tax office and the construction company
What is commonly known as a "VAT refund for foreigners" is, technically, an exemption: an eligible buyer never pays VAT in the first place on a purchase made directly from a construction company, rather than a tax being paid and later returned. This distinction matters because the exemption does not apply to a resale — a purchase from another individual rather than from the construction company. To qualify, the buyer generally needs to be resident abroad, hold no Turkish work or residence permit (with some exceptions), and have brought the purchase price into Turkey in foreign currency — all of these conditions need to be met together.
Two Commonly Confused Terms
- Exemption
- An eligible buyer pays no VAT at all at the time of purchase; the construction company issues the invoice without VAT.
- Holding Period Requirement
- A condition that the property benefiting from the exemption not be disposed of for a period set out in law; a sale before that period ends can lead to the exemption being clawed back.
In practice the process begins before the title deed transfer: a bank document showing the price was transferred from abroad in foreign currency (a foreign exchange purchase certificate) is obtained, coordination is set up with the construction company, and the invoice is issued without VAT. Our partner accountant assesses whether the conditions are genuinely met before the purchase, since a shortfall discovered after the sale is completed is far harder to correct retroactively.
Who It’s For
Foreign nationals resident abroad buying a residence or workplace in Turkey for the first time
We check together whether the conditions are met before the purchase.
Those wanting to clarify whether they meet the exemption conditions
Work/residence permit status is central to this assessment.
Buyers who will request an invoice without VAT from the construction company
Correct invoicing is decisive for the exemption to be valid.
Investors who will bring the purchase price into Turkey in foreign currency
Correctly obtaining the transfer document is the basis of the exemption claim.
Required Documents
Passport and documentation showing residence abroad
Sale promise agreement or title deed information
A foreign exchange purchase certificate showing the price came from abroad
This is the core basis of the exemption.
Details of the construction company
A declaration of not holding a Turkish work or residence permit
One of the conditions required for the exemption.
A notarised power of attorney, if the transaction is handled by proxy
The document list can vary by application reason and personal circumstances; the current requirements of the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management apply.
Process Steps
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01
Initial Assessment
Within 1-2 daysWhether the buyer meets the exemption conditions is checked before the purchase.
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02
Coordination with the Construction Company
Within a few daysThe construction company is contacted to arrange invoicing under the exemption.
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03
Documenting the Foreign Currency Transfer
Alongside the transferA foreign exchange purchase certificate showing the price came from abroad is obtained.
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04
Issuing the Invoice Without VAT
Before the title deed transferOnce conditions are met, the construction company issues the invoice under the exemption.
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05
Title Deed Transfer and Follow-Up
Transfer day and afterThe title deed transfer is completed and you are informed about the holding period requirement.
You can get in touch with us to benefit from this service.
Get in Touch With UsLegal Basis
VAT Law No. 3065
The basis for the VAT exemption granted on a first delivery to foreign nationals resident abroad (temporary exemption provisions).
Land Registry Law No. 2644
Governs the general framework for foreign nationals acquiring immovable property.
Common Mistakes
Learning about the exemption conditions only after the sale is completed
A shortfall discovered after the sale may not be correctable retroactively.
Paying the price in Turkish lira from within Turkey and losing the exemption
The price must come from abroad in foreign currency.
Selling the property before the holding period requirement ends
A sale before the period ends can lead to the exemption being clawed back.
Expecting the exemption on a resale purchase too
The exemption applies only to a first delivery from the construction company.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically it is an exemption; the buyer never pays the VAT in the first place, so there is no tax being returned afterward.
No, the exemption applies only to a first delivery made directly by the construction company.
As a general rule, not holding a work or residence permit is a condition; we assess any exceptions during a consultation.
The price must come from abroad in foreign currency; paying from within Turkey puts the exemption at risk.
There is a holding period set out in the legislation; we confirm the current period together during a consultation.
We cover the title deed and purchase process on a separate page; here we focus only on the VAT exemption.
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Last updated: 24.08.2026
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.