Inheritance Procedures for Foreigners Who Deceased in Turkey

Inheritance procedures for foreigners who die in Türkiye consist of multiple stages, from the issuance of the death certificate to the transfer of the inherited property to the beneficiaries. The fact that the testator is a foreigner does not prevent the assets in Türkiye from being transferred to the heirs. In connection with this topic Inheritance Law You can also review the content titled .

However, since there is foreign citizenship in the file, additional procedures such as family records, applicable law, apostille, translation and the use of documents received from a foreign country in Türkiye may occur.

Inheritance File is Examined in Three Separate Sections

Inheritance procedures for a foreigner who dies in Türkiye cannot be completed with a single application. The process proceeds through three basic files:

1. Death and family records: Death certificate, passport, marriage and birth certificates are prepared.
2. Determination of inheritance: The identity of the heirs and their shares are determined by the deed of inheritance.
3. Transfer of assets: Tax declaration is submitted; Real estate, bank accounts, vehicles and company shares are transferred to the heirs.

A deficiency in any of these three parts can prevent other processes from progressing. In particular, missing foreign family records may prolong the inheritance decree process.

First Document: Death Certificate Issued in Türkiye

If a foreigner dies in Türkiye, a death certificate is issued by authorized health officials. While preparing the document, the identity of the deceased is determined by passport, foreign identity document or other available official records.

Death certificate is the basic document used in inheritance deed, tax and asset transfer transactions. If the name, surname, date of birth or passport information in the document is incorrect, corrections may need to be made before proceeding with the inheritance procedures.

Contacting with the consulate of the country of which the testator is a citizen may also be useful in updating family records in the foreign country and obtaining the necessary documents.

Does the Occurrence of Death in Türkiye Determine Which Law Will Be Applied?

The fact that death occurs in Türkiye does not mean that Turkish law will directly apply to the entire inheritance. As a rule, inheritance is subject to the national law of the deceased.

However, Turkish law applies to immovable properties located in Türkiye. In addition, the mandatory provisions of Turkish law are important when acquiring and sharing estate assets in Türkiye.

For example, if a foreign person has a house in Türkiye and another real estate in his own country, separate transactions may need to be carried out in different countries for these two properties.

How are Foreign Heirs Determined?

The identity of the heirs cannot be determined based on passport information alone. Family records, birth certificates, marriage certificates and divorce or death records of previous spouses obtained from a foreign country are examined together.

The following documents are generally used in the file:

• Death certificate issued in Türkiye,
• The deceased's passport and foreign identity records,
• Heirs' passports,
• Birth and marriage certificates,
• Family or population registration samples,
• Divorce, custody and adoption decisions, if any,
• Will or inheritance agreement, if any.

Documents received from a foreign country may require apostille or consular certification, depending on the country. Turkish translations of the documents must also be prepared duly.

Where to Get a Certificate of Inheritance?

The deed of inheritance shows who the heirs are and the inheritance share of each. In cases where there is a foreign inheritor or a foreign heir, the document is usually obtained from the civil court of peace.

The court may investigate the national law of the deceased and family records in a foreign country. If the documents submitted to the file are not sufficient, new records may be requested from the relevant country authorities or expert opinion on foreign law may be requested.

An inheritance certificate obtained in a foreign country cannot always be used directly in title deed transactions in Türkiye. The document may need to be approved by the Turkish court or a separate inheritance certificate may need to be obtained in Türkiye.

Urgent Decision: Is the Estate In Debt?

Heirs should take into account not only real estate, money and company shares, but also the debts of the estate. Mortgages, loans, tax debts and ongoing enforcement proceedings may impose an economic burden on heirs. About the relevant aspect of the process Inheritance Process of Foreigners Who Own Real Estate in Türkiye There is detailed information on the page.

In cases where Turkish law is applied, as a rule, inheritance can be rejected within three months. For legal heirs, this period generally starts from the date on which the death of the testator is learned.

The heir's appropriation of the estate's assets or his involvement in transactions other than ordinary management may cause him to lose his right to reject the inheritance. For this reason, a legal review should be made before selling or withdrawing money about the estate that is thought to be in debt.

How Long is the Period for Inheritance and Transfer Tax?

Inheritance and transfer tax declaration if death occurred in Türkiye:

• If the heir is in Türkiye, within four months following the date of death,
• If the heir is in a foreign country, it is given within six months following the date of death.

The declaration can be submitted by all heirs together, or each heir can submit a separate declaration for his/her share.

Immovable properties, bank accounts, vehicles, company shares and receivables in Türkiye are evaluated in the declaration. Certain debts of the estate and death-related expenses may also be taken into account according to the conditions in the legislation.

How are the properties in Türkiye transferred to the heirs?

Immovable Properties

After the deed of inheritance is received, the transfer of inheritance is initiated through Web Land Registry or the relevant land registry office. For foreign heirs, passport, inheritance certificate and power of attorney, if any, are presented. Also Do Foreigners Have the Right to Inherit in Türkiye? The issues explained in should be evaluated together with the concrete incident.

It is possible to transfer real estate to a foreign person by inheritance. However, if there is a limitation regarding the protection of the property due to the location of the immovable property or the citizenship of the heir, sale or liquidation may be requested after the transfer.

Bank accounts

The bank may examine the inheritance decree and tax-related documents and pay the amount in the account in proportion to the inheritance shares. It is possible that the bank may request additional documents depending on the account type.

Tools

Vehicles registered in Türkiye can be transferred to the name of the heirs after the deed of inheritance and tax procedures. The heirs can inherit the vehicle together or leave it to an heir within the scope of sharing.

Company shares

Transfer of company shares may require trade registry and share ledger transactions depending on the type of company and the company agreement. Company debts and the partnership status of the testator should also be investigated.

Do Heirs Have to Come to Türkiye?

Foreign heirs can follow up their transactions in Türkiye through a lawyer by preparing an appropriate power of attorney. The power of attorney must clearly contain the necessary authorities for the deed of inheritance, tax, bank, title deed, vehicle and company transactions. Inheritance Sharing for Foreigners' Assets in Türkiye content explains other legal points related to this stage.

Power of attorney can be issued at the Turkish consulate. If prepared by a notary public of a foreign country, apostille or certification and Turkish translation may be required.

What Happens If an Heir Cannot Be Found?

If the heir is unknown, the court may take measures to protect the estate and appoint an estate representative when necessary. Heir research can be done through family records and foreign country authorities.

If no heir is found despite the research, the heirless estate in Türkiye may be left to the State.

Transaction Calendar

• Immediately after death: Death certificate and identity records are checked.
• Quarter: If there is a debtor estate, rejection of the inheritance will be considered.
• Four or six month period: Tax declaration is submitted according to the location of the heirs.
• After the decree of inheritance: Deed, bank, vehicle and company transfers are made.
• After transfer: Heirs share, keep together or sell the goods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the death of a foreigner in Türkiye make Turkish law mandatory?

Inheritance is generally governed by the national law of the deceased. However, Turkish law applies to immovable properties located in Türkiye.

Is the death certificate alone sufficient for title deed transfer?

No. A certificate of inheritance showing the heirs and their shares must also be obtained.

Can a foreign heir reject the inheritance?

Yes. In cases where Turkish law is applied, rejection of inheritance is, as a rule, subject to a three-month period.

Can a foreign heir get a bank account before coming to Türkiye?

It is possible to carry out transactions through a lawyer or representative with a power of attorney containing appropriate authorities.

When is the tax return filed in case of death in Türkiye?

If the heir is in Turkey, it must be given within four months, and if the heir is in a foreign country, it must be given within six months.

Is a foreign inheritance certificate valid in Türkiye?

Does not always apply directly. It may need to be approved by a Turkish court or a new inheritance certificate may need to be obtained in Türkiye.

Legal information: This content has been prepared for general information purposes. Applicable law and order of action; It may vary depending on the citizenship of the deceased, the country where the heirs are located, the type of assets, the will and the debts of the estate.