Hiring a Lawyer from Abroad: Your Legal Matters in Türkiye
You do not need a plane ticket for your case, title deed, inheritance or divorce recognition in Türkiye. With a power of attorney from the consulate and an online consultation, almost the entire process can be run from the country where you live.
You do not need to buy a plane ticket for your court case, title deed, inheritance or the recognition of your divorce in Türkiye. With a power of attorney issued at the consulate and an online consultation, almost all of these procedures can be handled from the country where you live.
Turkish citizens living in Europe, and in Germany above all, continue to have title deed, inheritance, debt collection and family law matters in Türkiye. From its Yalova office, İLME LAW OFFICE represents clients abroad throughout Türkiye under a power of attorney; consultations take place over a secure video platform in Turkish, English and German.
Services for Our Clients Abroad
From drawing up a power of attorney to following a court case, from title deeds to inheritance, without traveling to Türkiye.
Representation by Power of Attorney
Grant a power of attorney at the consulate and let your matters proceed without coming to Türkiye.
- Consular power of attorney
- Apostilled foreign notarial power of attorney
- Handling of court cases and transactions
Recognition and Enforcement
Making foreign divorce decrees and court judgments effective in Türkiye.
- Recognition and enforcement of divorce decrees
- Correction of civil registry records
- Proceedings under Art. 50 et seq. of the Private International Law Act (MÖHUK)
Title Deeds and Real Estate
Sale, purchase and rental management of your real property in Türkiye.
- Title transfer by power of attorney
- Lease agreements and eviction
- Construction-for-land-share projects
Inheritance Matters
Certificate of inheritance, transfer of title and division of the estate, without coming to Türkiye.
- Obtaining a certificate of inheritance
- Transfer of title deeds to heirs
- Inheritance litigation
Enforcement and Debt Collection
Collecting what you are owed in Türkiye through legal channels.
- Initiating enforcement proceedings
- Collection of rent arrears
- Debt recovery actions
Online Consultation
A legal assessment over a secure video call from the country where you live.
- Encrypted video call
- In Turkish, English and German
- Preliminary document review
Who Is This Service For?
Turkish citizens living abroad, dual citizens and Blue Card holders usually run into two obstacles when they have legal business in Türkiye: distance and time. Yet under the Turkish legal system, most of these matters can be handled through a lawyer while you remain in the country where you live, provided a properly executed power of attorney is in place:
- Following court cases already filed or to be filed in Türkiye (family, inheritance, debt, employment, criminal)
- Recognition in Türkiye of a divorce decree obtained abroad
- Title deed transactions: sale, purchase, transfer by inheritance, mortgage
- Inheritance proceedings: certificate of inheritance, transfer of title, division of the estate
- Enforcement proceedings: collection of rent and other receivables
- Contracts, formal notices and applications to public authorities
The first step is usually an online consultation to assess your situation; the second is having a power of attorney drawn up at the consulate. Both steps are completed without traveling to Türkiye. Linked pages are in Turkish.
How to Grant a Power of Attorney at the Consulate
Turkish consulates are authorized to perform notarial acts. With an appointment at the consulate in the country where you live, you can have a power of attorney issued in favor of your lawyer; this document can be used in Türkiye without any further certification.
- 1. Appointment: Book a notarial-services appointment through the consulate's online appointment system
- 2. Documents: ID card or passport; for cases such as divorce, a passport-size photograph
- 3. Lawyer's details: The identity, bar and registration details of the lawyer to be appointed (we provide these)
- 4. Special powers: Wording appropriate to the matter (divorce, sale of real property, authority to collect and receive payments, and so on). We let you know in advance which powers are needed
Alternative: Foreign Notary Plus Apostille
If you cannot get to a consulate, a power of attorney executed before a notary in the country where you live can be used in Türkiye once an apostille has been attached under the 1961 Hague Convention, followed by a sworn translation and notarial certification in Türkiye. Because this route involves several extra steps, the consular route is usually faster in practice.
Recognition and Enforcement: Validity of Foreign Judgments in Türkiye
Judgments handed down by foreign courts, most commonly divorce decrees, do not take effect in Türkiye automatically. Under Art. 50 et seq. of Law No. 5718 on Private International Law and International Civil Procedure (MÖHUK), these judgments must be recognized by a Turkish court and, where they contain provisions to be executed, enforced. For divorce decrees, where the conditions are met, there is also the option of administrative registration through the civil registry office or the consulate.
Until recognition takes place, you remain listed as married in the Turkish civil registry, which causes serious problems in remarriage, inheritance, matrimonial property regime and citizenship matters. Where court proceedings are required, the process is conducted under a power of attorney without your having to come to Türkiye.
For details, see our guide to divorce abroad and recognition and enforcement.
Title Deed, Inheritance and Enforcement Matters
Title Deed Transactions
The sale of your real property in Türkiye, the purchase of new property, transfers by inheritance and mortgage transactions are carried out at the land registry office by your representative under a power of attorney containing a special power to dispose of real property. Secure collection of the sale price and the tax and fee obligations are planned in writing before the transaction.
Inheritance Proceedings
Obtaining the certificate of inheritance, transferring title deeds, filing the inheritance and transfer tax return and dividing the estate among the heirs are all handled under a power of attorney. In the event of a dispute (infringement of reserved shares, sham transfers by the deceased, partition of co-owned property), the court proceedings can also be followed from abroad.
Enforcement and Debt Collection
Initiating enforcement proceedings, and filing suit where necessary, for rent arrears owed by your tenant in Türkiye, personal receivables or commercial receivables is handled on your instructions from the country where you live under a power of attorney; you receive regular reports on the collection process.
The Online Consultation Process
The process usually begins with a 30- or 60-minute online consultation. Consultations take place over İLME Law Office's secure video platform: an end-to-end encrypted connection, no recording, and a process compliant with Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data (KVKK).
- Appointment: Choose a date and time on the booking page. Times are shown in Turkish time (one hour ahead of Germany in summer, two in winter)
- Sharing documents: You can send the relevant documents before the consultation
- Consultation: Join from your phone or computer, in Turkish, English or German
- Roadmap: A legal assessment and the steps to follow; if you decide to proceed with representation, the power of attorney process is started
The booking system works without any problem even if your mobile number is a foreign number, and your appointment confirmation is also sent by e-mail.
Fees and Payment
Online consultation fees are shown clearly on the booking page inclusive of VAT; consultation fees start from TRY 4,800 (VAT included). Payment is made by credit or debit card with 3D Secure verification through the secure payment system on the booking screen.
Fees for court cases and transactions are set according to the type and scope of the work, never below the lower limit of the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (AAÜT) published by the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, and are communicated to you in writing before the power of attorney is granted. Litigation costs (court fees, service of process, translation, court experts) are separate from the attorney's fee and are shared with you at the outset as foreseeable items.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I grant a power of attorney to a lawyer in Türkiye from abroad?
There are two ways. (1) You can book an appointment at the Turkish consulate in the country where you live and have the power of attorney issued there; Turkish consulates are authorized to perform notarial acts, and this is the most practical route. (2) You can have the power of attorney executed before a notary in the country where you live, have a Hague apostille attached, and use it in Türkiye with a sworn translation and notarial certification. The text of the power of attorney must contain the special powers your matter requires (for example divorce, sale of real property, authority to collect and receive payments); we tell you in advance which powers are needed for your type of matter.
Which documents are needed to obtain a power of attorney at the consulate?
A valid identity document (Turkish identity card or passport) is essential. Powers of attorney for cases that are strictly personal, such as divorce, must bear a photograph, so you need to bring a passport-size photograph with you. The name, surname, Turkish identity number, bar and registration details of the lawyer being appointed are written into the document; we send you these details before your appointment. Most consulates operate an online appointment system.
I got divorced in Germany. Am I considered divorced in Türkiye as well?
No, not automatically. For a foreign divorce decree to take effect in Türkiye, it must be recognized (and enforced, if necessary). There are two routes: filing a recognition and enforcement action in court, or, where the conditions are met (with both parties applying or consenting), administrative registration through the civil registry office or the consulate. Until recognition takes place, you remain listed as married in the Turkish civil registry, which creates problems in remarriage, inheritance and matrimonial property matters. See our guide to divorce abroad for details.
Do I have to come to Türkiye and attend hearings for my case?
In most civil cases, the lawyer you have appointed represents you at hearings and you do not need to be present in person. There are exceptions: in an uncontested divorce, for example, the judge hearing the parties in person is a statutory requirement, and in some cases the court may order a party's personal examination. Depending on the type of your case, we assess in advance whether your personal attendance is required and what alternative procedural options exist, and we let you know.
Can I handle my title deed transactions in Türkiye from abroad?
Yes. Sales, purchases and other transactions at the land registry can be carried out through your representative under a power of attorney that contains a special power to dispose of real property. Powers of attorney issued at consulates are used directly in title deed transactions. Before the transaction, we inform you in writing about secure collection of the sale price, land registry fees and tax obligations.
I have inherited property in Türkiye. Can the transfer be done without my coming to Türkiye?
Yes. The certificate of inheritance can be requested from a notary or the Civil Court of Peace under a power of attorney; the transfer of title deeds and the inheritance and transfer tax return are then handled by your representative as well. If there is a dispute among the heirs (division, reduction claims, allegations of sham transfers), litigation may be necessary; these proceedings are also followed under a power of attorney.
How does the online consultation work?
You choose a date and time that suits you on our booking page. The consultation takes place over our secure video platform, which is end-to-end encrypted and not recorded; you can join from your phone or computer. You can send your documents beforehand, and during the consultation you receive a legal assessment and a roadmap. If you then wish to move on to representation, we guide you step by step through the power of attorney process.
In which languages can consultations be held?
Consultations can be held in Turkish, English and German. This is particularly convenient for clients who were born and raised abroad and have limited Turkish, and for their family members; the work proceeds on the basis of the Turkish originals of the legal documents.
How is the attorney's fee determined?
Online consultation fees are stated clearly on the booking page, inclusive of VAT (starting from TRY 4,800). Fees for court cases and transactions are set according to the type, scope and anticipated workload of the matter, never below the lower limit of the Minimum Attorney Fee Tariff (AAÜT) of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, and are communicated to you in writing.
How do I pay from abroad?
The online consultation fee is paid by credit or debit card with 3D Secure verification through the secure payment system on the booking screen. Payment options for court and transaction fees are set out in writing at the power of attorney stage.
Is the time difference a problem? Which time zone are appointments in?
Times in the booking system are Turkish time (TRT, UTC+3). Between Türkiye and Central Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, France) the difference is one hour in summer and two hours in winter; for example, a consultation at 15:00 in Türkiye is at 14:00 in Germany in summer. Slots between 09:00 and 18:00 Turkish time on weekdays fit comfortably into the day for our clients in Europe.
How will I be kept informed about the progress of my case?
Your representative notifies you of important developments in your file (hearings, judgments, service of documents). In addition, Turkish citizens can view the hearing dates and status of their own files from abroad through the "Case File Inquiry" service on the e-Government portal (e-Devlet); if you wish, we also help you set up this access.
From which countries can I use your services?
For your legal matters in Türkiye, the country you live in makes no difference; you can hold an online consultation and conduct your proceedings under a power of attorney from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries. The service provided relates to Turkish law; for matters governed by the domestic law of the country where you live, you need to work with a colleague licensed there.
Start Your Turkish Matter from the Country Where You Live
Let us assess your situation together in an online consultation and, where needed, guide you step by step through the power of attorney process. Consultations can be held in Turkish, English and German.
İLME Law Office, Yalova office, representation throughout Türkiye.
Consultations are held in Yalova or by video call, in Turkish or English. Write to us with a short description of the matter and we will propose a time.
Phone: 0 (226) 911 07 99 · Office hours Mon–Fri, 09:00–18:00 (Türkiye time).
This page is an English edition of the Turkish original, prepared and reviewed at Ilme Law Office; where the two differ, the Turkish text prevails. It is general information under the advertising rules of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations and does not replace advice on your specific case. Read the Turkish original.