From 1 May 2026, a new phase of regulation will begin in the Turkish real estate market. The government is officially introducing a mandatory secure payment system for transactions involving the sale and purchase of apartments, houses, and land plots. The main objective of the reform is to completely eliminate cash payments made “hand to hand” and to ensure full transparency of all financial transactions. This change is already being described as one of the most significant reforms in recent years, as it directly affects both Turkish citizens and foreign buyers.

According to Turkish media reports, the Ministry of Trade is implementing a unified digital payment mechanism for real estate transactions. The buyer will transfer funds exclusively through the official payment system, where the money will be temporarily blocked until the transaction is completed and then automatically transferred to the seller after the registration of property ownership. Direct cash transfers between the parties will no longer be considered safe and will effectively be removed from legal practice.

The new payment model will be introduced gradually. During the initial phase, the system will operate in a pilot mode and will later become mandatory for all real estate transactions across Turkey. Even if the parties reach a private agreement, notaries and land registry offices will no longer accept transactions where payments were made in cash without being recorded in the system.

The transition to secure payments is driven by several long-standing issues in the real estate market, including the widespread practice of understating property values in official documents, difficulties in proving payment in the event of disputes, fraud in transactions between unfamiliar parties, and losses in government tax revenues. Authorities emphasize that the secure payment system protects both buyers and sellers while making the market more transparent and predictable.

For buyers, especially foreign investors, the changes are generally positive. Risks are minimized, as funds are not transferred until ownership is officially registered, financial transparency is ensured, and the actual purchase price is clearly documented. At the same time, all payments will be processed through banks or authorized payment services, which means proper documentation and proof of the source of funds will be required.

Sellers will also need to adapt to the new rules. Payment will only be received after the registration of the transfer of ownership, concealing the real transaction price will no longer be possible, and all operations will be recorded and subject to verification. The transfer of title (Tapu devri) becomes the key stage after which the system automatically completes the financial part of the transaction.

The introduction of the secure payment system marks the end of informal settlement practices in the Turkish real estate market. The government is prioritizing transparency, control, and protection for all parties involved. Buying or selling property under the new conditions will require professional support, a clear understanding of financial procedures, and strict compliance with the law. For those planning real estate transactions, 2026 will represent a turning point toward a more regulated but significantly safer market environment.