Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the weather like in Bodrum?
• Where is the nearest airport?
• Which airlines fly to Bodrum?
• What is the holiday season in Bodrum?
• What is the transportation system like in Bodrum?
• How near is Turkey to joining the EU?
• Are house prices likely to rise when this happens?
• Can we drink the tap water?
• What voltage is the electricity?

• What does Off-Plan Property In Turkey and Re-Sale Property In Turkey mean?
• Can I arrange Finance/Mortgage for a Property in Turkey?
• Can I import my belongings/furniture and car into Turkey?
• How do I import a vehicle/car into Turkey?
• Do I need medical insurance in Turkey?
• Can we install Satellite/Digital TV to a property in Turkey?
• Can we have a Telephone in our Property in Turkey?
• Should we have air-conditioning?
• Can I open a Turkish Bank Account if I own a Turkish Property?
• What about bringing pets into Turkey?
• Are there any charges when owning a Turkish Property in a Complex?
• Does owning a property in Turkey entitle a person to residency?
• Do I have to be a Resident or have a Resident’s Visa to purchase Property in Turkey?

Cumberland Properties offers a professional, comprehensive and friendly service to ensure that all our clients are guided through the purchasing process and endeavour to offer a comprehensive portfolio of property across Turkey.

• Do You Arrange Viewing Trips?
• If I Purchase a Property in Turkey, Am I Going To Have To Come Over To Turkey Lots Of Times?
• How Will I Understand Everything? I Don't Speak Turkish.
• Would Cumberland Properties Help Me To Rent My Turkish Property Out To Holidaymakers?
• Are There Any Extra Costs Or Fees When Buying Property in Turkey That I Should be Aware Of?

• Is it easy to buy property in Turkey?
• Am I eligible to purchase a property in Turkey?
• How Do I Buy A Property in Turkey?
• What does freehold mean?
• Is There Stamp Duty On Turkish Property?
• Is There An Annual Tax On Turkish Property?
• Is it easy to sell and transfer the proceeds out of Turkey?
• What About Capital Gains Tax on Turkish Property?
• Are the title deeds the same as in my country?
• Why does the title deed value differ from that of the agreed purchase price?
• Can the title deed have more than one name?
• Can I ‘Will’ My Turkish Property To My Beneficiaries?
• What about inheritance tax?
• Can I Buy Turkish Property Without A Lawyer?

General Information on Bodrum and Turkey

Bodrum-Milas International Airport (International code: BJV) is 35km away, approximately 30 minutes from the Bodrum town centre. For transportation from the airport, there are taxis run by numerous airport transfer companies or a bus service, HAVAŞ, is available.

The holiday season is generally from mid-April to mid-October with July and August being the busiest. However, now that more people are buying property in Turkey the holiday season in Bodrum is all year round.

The “Dolmuş” (dohl-moush) offers cheap and reliable service throughout the Bodrum peninsula on pre-set routes. Yellow taxis are a relatively inexpensive service, available 24 hours-a-day and to be found in most locations. Rent-a-car is also an option that provides more flexibility. However, driving in Turkey can be a different experience to driving in the UK so pay attention to road signs and traffic.

The opinion is that Turkey will eventually enter the EU.

Yes, it is likely based on recent trends from other countries on accessing the EU.

Bottled water should always be used for drinking and is very cheap to buy. However, it is perfectly safe to clean your teeth with tap water.

It is 220 volts and all UK electrical items can be used with an adaptor.

Living in Turkey

Off- plan is a property which has yet to be built. Re-sale is a property which has had a previous owner and is being resold.

Yes, mortgages for Turkish properties are now available both from Turkish Banks and UK finance organisations. More detailed information can be obtained from upon request.

Yes, but the transportation and duty can be expensive. Good quality furniture is readily available in Turkey. “Furniture packs” can be purchased quickly and easily through Cumberland by simply clicking on the ‘After-sales’ tab on this website.

If you are visiting Turkey with your vehicle as a tourist, you should have full documents and insurance for your vehicle. Details of your car will be registered in your passport on arrival at the border. A foreign plated vehicle is permitted to remain in Turkey for a maximum of six months in any 12 month period.

Although not compulsory, it is strongly recommended that you have a valid, full insurance. As a resident in Turkey you can arrange medical insurance through local insurance companies. (Although please note that local insurance companies generally do not provide cover for people over the age of sixty.)

Yes, available through local shops and is in a variety of languages.

Yes, through the national telephone company Turk Telekom. However, a residency visa is required for billing purposes.

Yes, air-conditioning units are essential and there are “split” units for dual usage in summer and winter.

Yes, opening a bank account requires a tax number that can easily be obtained from the tax office by presenting your passport. Both the tax ID number and your passport are required to open a bank account.

It is possible to bring a pet into Turkey with its own passport. However, on returning to your country of origin, you may be subject to quarantine laws.

Yes, some complexes charge a maintenance fee for the upkeep of gardens and pools.

No, however, it does make is easier when applying for residency.

No, to buy a property in Turkey you do not need to obtain a Resident’s Visa. This is only required if you wish to remain here for longer than 3 consecutive months or wish to purchase a car or phone. For those nationals who are required to purchase a visit visa on entering the country, you are entitled to multiple visits over a period of 90 days.

How can Cumberland Properties help?

Cumberland Properties offers a professional, comprehensive and friendly service to ensure that all our clients are guided through the purchasing process and endeavour to offer a comprehensive portfolio of property in Turkey.

Yes, it is highly advisable to come out on a Turkish Property viewing trip. You will be able to attain valuable information about the area and view the properties in Turkey on offer. Our viewing trips encompass all your flights, transfers, accommodation, meals and a dedicated property consultant.

If you purchase property in Turkey through Cumberland Properties, we will manage the sale for you. You will only need to visit Turkey once. During this time, we will work with the lawyer to draw up your contract and we will arrange Power of Attorney. This means that that they can sign the Title Deeds on your behalf.

Cumberland Properties work with translators to ensure that you have a complete understanding of all legal aspects of buying property in Turkey, and a complete peace of mind. Throughout the entire process, we will liaise with you via phone and email in English.

Yes, a full rental service is available and can be reviewed under the ‘Rentals’ tab on this website.

Yes, there are extra costs involved. These include; purchase tax, passport translation, notary charges, earthquake insurance, utility connections, title deeds, property tax.

Legal Issues

Yes. Property may be purchased in your own name provided that the property is situated in an area with an official municipality (council) and is a Freehold Property.

EU citizens are able to purchase property in Turkey, please see the link for further information http://www.turkisheconomy.org.uk/buyingproperty/property.html

Sales in Turkey are cash sales, where purchasers are requested to pay cash deposit, followed by an interim cash/mortgage payment and a final amount on sales completion. This may vary, according to whether the Turkish property is off-plan, newly-built or re-sale.

Freehold means that when you purchase a property, you hold the title deed in your name. Every property Cumberland advertises is freehold.

When buying a property in Turkey there is a 3% tax payable. This is usually shared between the buyer and the vendor.

Yes, there is an annual property tax in Turkey and it is payable to the municipality (local council). The rate of this tax is announced by the municipality at the beginning of each year and is payable by end of May of that year.

Yes. A property may be resold or let and the proceeds transferred out of Turkey.

There is nothing to pay if you sell your property after an ownership period of 5 years. If sold prior to this, there is a sliding scale rule on tax, which is based on the “declared value” of the property set by the Title Deed Office.

In principal yes, however, the Title Deed Office always - and without exception - values a property much lower than that of the agreed purchase price. That way, any taxes due on a property are calculated on the lower declared value and, thus, save the owner from paying inflated property taxes. Annual property taxes can be as little as £100.

You will need to apply for deeds from the Title Deed Office and the accurate purchase is submitted at that time. Title Deeds are then drawn up and authorised by the Land Registry to the land values registered on their systems. These values are not up-to-date listings which results in a discrepancy between purchase value and deed value.

Yes, it can have as many names as you wish.

You can ‘Will’ your property to your beneficiaries. In the absence of a Will, the property will be inherited by your next of kin.

If those named on the Title Deed stand to inherit, then zero tax is applicable as they are already on the Title Deed.

Yes, it is possible. However, it is strongly advisable to instruct a lawyer, as this ensures that you receive independent representation throughout the buying process.