A Turkish-incorporated company with foreign shareholders should not assume that its land acquisition is analysed in the same way as either a foreign individual’s purchase or a wholly domestic company’s transaction. Establish the company’s ownership and control, the intended activity and the specific property before committing to a binding purchase.
Identify the acquiring entity and applicable route
Prepare current corporate records and an ownership chart showing ultimate control. The Investment Office’s property guidance addresses foreign-capital companies separately, including activity-related use and relevant administrative review. Obtain a property-specific assessment rather than relying on a generic statement that foreigners may invest in Turkey. Include any necessary authority procedure in the transaction timetable before agreeing an unconditional completion obligation.
Inspect title and the seller’s authority
Obtain current registry information, review mortgages, attachments, easements and other restrictions, and reconcile the parcel with the physical site. Check the seller’s power to transfer and identify any release documents required at completion. A clean-looking site is not proof of clean title. The payment mechanism should coordinate transfer and discharge of agreed encumbrances, with clear evidence and responsible parties.
Test the intended industrial use
Review zoning, building conditions, access and the process-specific environmental position with appropriate specialists. Existing buildings need their own permit and occupancy review. Check whether the planned production requires special storage, emissions controls or additional infrastructure. If a change of use is necessary, assess its feasibility before purchase; a seller’s expectation of approval should not be treated as an issued permission.
Investigate physical and historical liabilities
Commission surveys and technical review appropriate to the site, including ground conditions and past industrial use. Clarify whether structures, buried equipment or contamination require remediation. Allocate the investigation process and access rights in pre-contract arrangements. If a material issue is found, decide whether it must be resolved before closing or supported by a credible funded remedy rather than a vague promise.
Coordinate completion with project readiness
Make the purchase conditions reflect the identified title, authority and development requirements. Establish a realistic long-stop date and consequences if conditions fail. Plan registration, payment, possession and delivery of original records together. After completion, track continuing use, reporting or development obligations applicable to the acquisition route and any zone allocation. Ownership is the beginning of site compliance, not its end.
Investor checklist
- Acquirer ownership and property-specific legal route.
- Current title and seller authority.
- Zoning, buildings and actual industrial process.
- Survey, environmental and historical site findings.
- Coordinated conditions, registration and payment.
For transaction-specific support, see our investment legal advice and M&A transaction advisory.
Continue with: Buying a Solar or Wind Project in Turkey: A Legal Due Diligence Checklist; Data Center Investment in Turkey: Land, Power, Permits and Customer Contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Does incorporating in Turkey answer every land restriction question?
No. Foreign ownership and control can remain relevant to the acquisition route.
Is this an investment citizenship guide?
No. It concerns industrial land acquired through a company for business purposes.
Should the buyer investigate historical use?
Yes. Prior activity can affect remediation needs and project feasibility.
