The Turkish Real Estate Market Enters a New Era of Transparency

(In line with updated laws and regulations effective from the beginning of the new year)

As of the new year, the Turkish real estate market has entered a significant phase of transformation. In accordance with updated laws and secondary regulations, public authorities are gradually strengthening control over property sale and rental listings.

The primary objective of these measures is to eliminate price manipulation, fake listings, and unethical practices that have undermined buyer confidence for many years—particularly among foreign purchasers.

It is important to emphasize that this is not a temporary initiative, but a systematic and phased regulatory process aimed at establishing a more transparent, professional, and mature real estate market.

What Is Changing?

At the core of these reforms is the government-backed EİDS (Electronic Advertisement Verification System), integrated with the e-Devlet platform and made mandatory under the updated regulatory framework.

In practice, this means:

• Property listings may only be published by authorized individuals or entities.

• The property owner must provide electronic approval via e-Devlet.

• Real estate listing platforms are required to verify the existence of this authorization.

• Listings containing misleading information or lacking proper authorization are removed.

• Legal responsibility lies with both the party publishing the listing and the listing platform itself.

Why This Is Especially Important for Foreign Buyers

For many years, the foreign buyer segment was one of the least protected areas of the market. The sector was dominated by:

• temporary or foreign sales consultants,

• unlicensed intermediaries,

• parties operating without legal accountability,

• agents focused on quick transactions rather than long-term reputation.

This environment led to:

• fake or outdated listings,

• artificially low “bait” prices,

• distortion of true market values,

• significant legal and financial risks for foreign buyers.

The updated regulatory framework fundamentally changes the operating model in this segment and significantly increases protection for end buyers.

What This Means for the Market

As the new rules are implemented, the market is becoming increasingly structured:

• professional and licensed participants remain active,

• the influence of unprepared or opportunistic players declines,

• the role of brokerages with strong corporate culture strengthens,

• trust among foreign buyers increases,

• the market moves closer to European standards.

In short, the era of fast, responsibility-free transactions is gradually coming to an end.

What This Means for Buyers and Investors

For end users, this transformation brings:

• clearer and more transparent transaction rules,

• fairer pricing,

• reduced legal risk,

• the ability to work with professionals rather than short-term intermediaries,

• a more predictable investment environment.

Commentary by Alper Tekayak

Managing Partner, Riviera Homes

“We have long emphasized the need for the Turkish real estate market—especially the foreign buyer segment—to be cleaned up and professionalized.

The implementation of the EİDS system and tighter oversight is not a one-time initiative, but an active regulatory mechanism that will gradually become more stringent.

For professional and institutional real estate agencies, this is not a threat, but an opportunity to operate within a fairer and more sustainable system.

At Riviera Homes, we have always built our business on transparency, trust, and reputation. We firmly believe that this approach represents the future of the Turkish real estate market.”