MAGISTERS · International legal support
Lawyer in Turkey — Legal Assistance and Cross-Border Support
Residence permits and immigration, property transactions, business, inheritance and family disputes. We help assess your situation, prepare documents and plan the appropriate legal steps in Turkey and Ukraine.
Online consultations are available. Court representation and work reserved to a Turkish-licensed attorney (avukat) are undertaken by an appropriately authorised professional, subject to arrangements for the particular matter.
START WITH YOUR SITUATION
What legal issue do you need to resolve in Turkey?
We start by identifying the applicable law, competent authority, deadlines and documents. Cross-border cases require a clear distinction between Turkish procedures and matters that can be handled under Ukrainian law.
Planning a move
We review residence grounds, family circumstances, employment, insurance and supporting documents.
Buying property or starting a business
We examine property or company records, contracts, foreign-ownership restrictions and risks before payment.
Facing a refusal or dispute
We review the decision, date of service, evidence and whether urgent action by a Turkish attorney is needed.
We do not promise guaranteed residence permits, citizenship or court victories. Outcomes depend on the evidence, legal criteria and decisions of the competent authorities.
Legal Services in Turkey: Main Practice Areas
Turkish-law matters require appropriately qualified local professionals. Cross-border document preparation and the Ukrainian aspects of a matter may be coordinated separately.
Immigration and Residence
Ikamet residence permits, renewals, family routes, work authorisations, citizenship, migration requests and refusals.
Property and Tenancy
TAPU title checks, registered restrictions, permitted use and condition; purchase, sale and lease agreements.
Companies and Contracts
Company structuring, incorporation steps, shareholder arrangements, commercial contracts and corporate disputes.
Family Matters
Divorce, children, maintenance, property division and recognition or use of foreign documents.
Inheritance
Inherited property, wills, proof of kinship, Ukrainian documents and inheritance disputes.
Disputes and Defence
Contract and administrative disputes, detention and criminal matters; procedural representation by a Turkish avukat.
Residence Permits in Turkey: Ikamet, Work and Family Routes
Residence applications use the official e-İkamet system. The route depends on the purpose of stay and supporting evidence. A tourist visit does not in itself establish a right to long-term residence.
Short-Term Ikamet
Statutory grounds include certain stays connected with residential property. Eligibility requires an individual assessment.
Family and Student Permits
We assess family ties, the sponsor’s status, enrolment, insurance and children’s documents.
Work Authorisation
A standard residence permit does not automatically allow employment. A work permit or statutory exemption is generally required.
Official application portal: e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr (displayed as text, not a hyperlink). Confirm deadlines and required documents with the migration authority’s notice.
Buying Property in Turkey: Legal Checks Before Payment
Due diligence should come before any deposit or binding commitment. Attractive photographs do not reveal title restrictions, debts, permitted use or the seller’s authority.
Title and Property Checks
- Who owns the property according to TAPU, and whether any mortgages, attachments or restrictions exist.
- Whether a foreign national may acquire that particular property in that location.
- Whether approvals, permitted use and actual condition match the records.
- Payment records, seller documents, completion and refund terms.
Transaction Considerations
- Registration of title transfer and review of the current procedure.
- Taxes, registration charges, DASK earthquake insurance and other costs.
- For off-plan purchases: permits, completion dates, penalties and termination rights.
- Property ownership and residence rights are separate legal questions.
Buying a home does not guarantee an ikamet permit. Investment citizenship is a separate process with its own requirements, not an automatic consequence of purchasing an apartment.
Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment: Key Requirements
The statutory property-investment route involves a minimum qualifying property value of USD 400,000, a three-year non-sale commitment and specific valuation, documentary and payment requirements. Citizenship is assessed through a separate administrative process: a qualifying purchase does not guarantee approval.
Before Purchase
Check whether the asset qualifies, buyer restrictions, documentation and valuation.
During the Transaction
Review TAPU requirements, payment evidence, foreign-exchange documentation and the registry restriction.
After Completion
Verify compliance certificates and the separate citizenship application documentation.
Official reference portal: yourkeyturkiye.gov.tr — shown as plain text without an outgoing hyperlink.
Doing Business in Turkey: Incorporation, Contracts and Foreign-Founder Risks
Company formation, work authorisation and taxation are separate matters. Owning shares in a Turkish company does not, by itself, grant a right to live or work in the country.
Limited Şirket (Ltd. Şti.)
Review shareholders, management, articles and registration through MERSİS and the trade registry.
Contracts and Counterparties
Review counterparties, scope, payment provisions, liability, governing law and dispute resolution.
Accounting and Permits
Coordinate accounting, tax registrations, sector licences and work authorisations.
Ukrainian Legal Matters from Turkey: What Can Be Handled Remotely
Some issues are governed by Ukrainian rather than Turkish law. MAGISTERS lawyers in Ukraine can assist remotely where the relevant procedure permits representation or distance processing.
Divorce in Ukraine
Divorce claims, marriage records, children’s issues and representation before Ukrainian courts where permitted.
Documents, Certificates and Apostilles
Civil-status certificates, archives, court decisions, retrieval and preparation for use abroad.
Inheritance and Property in Ukraine
Document preparation, notarial coordination and inheritance or property disputes under Ukrainian law.
Authority in a Ukrainian case does not replace the qualifications required for representation before Turkish courts, notaries or public bodies.
Family Matters, Inheritance and Cross-Border Documents
Where spouses, children, property or heirs are in different countries, the first step is to identify the applicable law and competent authority. Translating a certificate alone may not suffice for recognition or enforcement.
Marriage, Divorce and Children
Jurisdiction, habitual residence of children, maintenance, documents and recognition of judgments depend on the countries involved.
Inheritance in Turkey and Ukraine
Estate assets, deadlines, notarial jurisdiction, kinship evidence and property registration.
Residence Refusals, Deportation, Detention and Disputes
In urgent matters, the complete decision, service date, appeal deadlines and interpreter access are essential. Do not rely solely on an oral explanation from an official or intermediary.
Ikamet Refusal or Entry Ban
Identify the grounds, available administrative or judicial remedies and urgent steps.
Removal and Administrative Detention
Review notices and challenge deadlines; direct representation in Turkey requires a locally authorised attorney.
Criminal or Civil Proceedings
Preserve documents and evidence, arrange a case review and coordinate a Turkish avukat where needed.
How We Organise Legal Assistance
01
Collect Information
Clarify facts, nationality, location, dates and parties.
02
Assess Law and Authority
Separate Ukrainian and Turkish elements and identify the competent authority.
03
Agree Scope and Fees
Set out documents, stages, expenses and the local attorney’s role, if required.
04
Coordinate Next Steps
Prepare agreed materials, track notices and coordinate subsequent steps.
What to Prepare for Your First Consultation
For Immigration Matters
- Nationality, passport, entry dates and current status.
- Existing ikamet, visa, notices or refusal.
- Purpose of stay: family, study, property or work.
- Income, insurance and residential-address information.
- Dates of decisions and response deadlines.
For Transactions or Disputes
- Parties, property details, address, TAPU records and contracts.
- Bank transfer receipts and correspondence.
- Court papers, official notices and powers of attorney.
- Marriage, children, kinship or inheritance records, if relevant.
- Desired outcome and any deadlines already in force.
Translations, apostilles, notarised powers of attorney and originals are not required in every case or at every stage. We assess the need for each document.
Fees, Timelines and the Role of a Turkish Attorney
Fees Agreed in Advance
Fees depend on scope, documentation, urgency and any local professional required. Official charges, translations and notarial expenses are separate.
Timing Depends on the Procedure
Document preparation and official processing are different stages. The decisions of migration officials, registrars and courts are not controlled by legal advisers.
A Turkish-registered avukat handles matters reserved to the Turkish legal profession. That status must be verified for the particular professional before their engagement is agreed.
Legal Support in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Alanya, Izmir and Beyond
We offer remote consultations to clients in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Alanya, Izmir, Side and other regions. This does not imply MAGISTERS maintains an office in each city; personal attendance and local representation depend on the procedure.
Official information portals: e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr (residence), en.goc.gov.tr (migration), yourkeyturkiye.gov.tr (land registry) and invest.gov.tr (business). These are plain-text addresses, not outgoing links.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Assistance in Turkey
These are general answers. The process depends on nationality, status, documentation and location.
Can I get a consultation remotely from Turkey?
Yes. Initial review and certain document preparation can be done remotely. Personal attendance may still be required by law.
Who can represent me in a Turkish court?
Reserved legal work requires a properly licensed and authorised Turkish avukat. The engagement of a specific lawyer is agreed separately.
Where do I apply for an ikamet permit?
Applications are made through the official e-İkamet system. Appointment and documentary requirements depend on the permit type and authority.
Does an ikamet residence permit allow me to work?
An ordinary residence permit does not itself confer a right to work. A work permit or statutory exemption is generally required.
Can buying an apartment secure a residence permit?
Qualifying residential property may support certain short-term grounds, but a permit is not guaranteed and further requirements apply.
What property investment is required for citizenship?
The property route generally requires at least USD 400,000, a three-year non-sale commitment and further conditions.
Can a property be checked before paying a deposit?
Yes. TAPU, restrictions, the seller’s documents, permits and contract terms should be reviewed before payment.
Does registering a Turkish company grant residency?
No. Incorporation and immigration status are separate, and working is subject to additional rules.
What should I do after a residence refusal or removal order?
Keep the full decision and service date, and seek prompt advice on remedies and deadlines. A Turkish lawyer may be essential.
Can I divorce in Ukraine while living in Turkey?
In certain cases, representation before a Ukrainian court is possible. Jurisdiction, documents and participation requirements are case-specific.
Can Ukrainian records and apostilles be obtained from abroad?
Document retrieval and formalisation can often be arranged through authorised representatives. Apostille eligibility and timing depend on the document.
How much does legal assistance in Turkey cost?
Scope and fees are agreed after an initial assessment. Court, official, translation and notarial charges are separate.