Vat Exemptions for Foreigners
Dear Foreign Health Insurance customers, With this blog post, we will share a brief information about VAT exemptions in housing purchase processes. For this purpose, we present the Onyx Partners Global blog post in this direction.
For this purpose, we recommend that you seek support from consultant lawyers who are professionals in this field before making any purchase / investment in Turkey.
Real estate sales made as a first delivery to foreign nationals and institutions not resident in Turkey, are exempt from VAT according to subparagraph (i) of Article 13 of the VAT Law.
The principle of reciprocity, which is required for foreign persons to acquire real estate or limited real rights in Turkey, was abolished with an amendment made in the Land Registry Law in 2012, thus facilitating the acquisition of real estate by foreigners in Turkey.
Parallel to the above-mentioned regulations, the regulation on the implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, was amended in 2017, 2018 and 2022 in order to encourage the sale of residences and workplaces to foreigners. The right to acquire Turkish citizenship is given to foreigners who purchase immovable property worth at least USD 500,000, or real estate investment fund participation shares worth at least USD 500,000, on the condition that they do not sell for three years.
IMMOVABLES COVERED BY THE EXEMPTION
Buildings constructed as residences or workplaces are included in the scope of the exception regulated in Article (13/i) of Law No. 3065.
In order for the residence or workplace to be subject to delivery within the scope of this exception, it is obligatory that the building be constructed as a residence or workplace, it should hold a building permit, and should be delivered ready for the use of the buyer. Where applicable, floor servitude must be established in residences or workplaces. Residences or workplaces defined as residences, shops, offices, apartments, timeshare, or similar in the building permit, are considered within the scope of exception.
FIRST DELIVERY OF RESIDENCE OR WORKPLACE
Exception is applied at the FIRST DELIVERY to be made by the taxpayer who has built a residence or workplace. In case the residence or workplace is purchased from the builders, and sold to someone else, the delivery of the residence or workplace is not considered as first delivery.
BUYERS WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THE REGULATION
- Turkish citizens that have lived abroad for more than six months with a work or residence permit
- Persons of foreign nationality who have not settled within the last 6 months in Turkey
- Institutions that do not have their legal and/or business center in Turkey, and do not earn income in Turkey through a workplace or permanent representative
It is possible for buyers who meet these conditions and benefit from this exemption to purchase more than one residence or workplace within the scope of the exemption.
You can ask any questions to lawyers for FREE, by sending an e-mail to [email protected] for Residence Application, Investment or Buying Real Estate in Turkey.
Best Regards
E-İkametsigorta Team
