Turkish Legal Terms Explained in English

Anlaşmalı boşanma Uncontested (consensual) divorce

Divorce by agreement under Article 166(3) of the Turkish Civil Code. The marriage must have lasted at least one year, the spouses must apply together (or one must accept the other's petition), the judge must hear both spouses in person and must approve a protocol settling custody, maintenance and property matters. It is usually concluded at a single hearing. Related guide →

Anonim şirket (A.Ş.) Joint stock company (JSC)

A company whose capital is divided into shares, regulated by the Turkish Commercial Code No. 6102. It can be formed by a single shareholder, foreign individuals and companies can hold all of its shares, and shareholders are liable only up to the capital they undertake. Related guide →

Apostil Apostille

A certificate under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention confirming the authenticity of a public document issued in one member state so that it can be used in another without consular legalisation. Foreign powers of attorney, civil status records and court judgments to be used in Turkey usually need an apostille (or legalisation) and a sworn Turkish translation. Related guide →

Arabuluculuk Mediation

A process in which a neutral, registered mediator helps the parties reach a settlement. In Turkey mediation is a mandatory pre-condition to filing suit in several types of dispute, including employment claims, commercial monetary claims, landlord–tenant disputes, partition of co-owned property and certain consumer disputes. A signed settlement record can be enforced like a judgment. Related guide →

Askeri yasak bölge Military restricted zone

Areas designated under Law No. 2565 on military forbidden zones and security zones. Foreigners cannot acquire property in these areas, so the land registry checks the location of a property with the military authorities before a sale to a foreign buyer. Related guide →

Belirsiz alacak davası Action for an undetermined claim (repealed)

A type of lawsuit formerly allowed under Article 107 of the Code of Civil Procedure, where the claimant could sue for a minimum amount and increase it once the amount was clarified. It was repealed by Law No. 7589, published on 31 July 2026; cases filed before that date remain subject to the old rule. Claimants now generally use a partial claim instead. Related guide →

Bilirkişi Court-appointed expert

An expert appointed by the court to report on technical questions that require special knowledge, such as valuation, accounting, engineering or medicine. The judge is not bound by the report but relies on it heavily; the parties can object to it within the time set by law. Related guide →

Cayma hakkı Right of withdrawal

A consumer's right to withdraw from certain contracts, such as distance (online) sales and off-premises contracts, without giving reasons and without paying a penalty within a statutory period, which is generally 14 days. Some goods and services are excluded by law. Related guide →

Çekişmeli boşanma Contested divorce

Divorce in which the spouses do not agree on the divorce itself or on its consequences. The petitioner must prove a ground for divorce recognised by the Turkish Civil Code, such as irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, adultery or abandonment. Contested cases involve evidence, witnesses and usually several hearings. Related guide →

Cezai şart Penalty clause

A contractual provision requiring a party to pay a fixed sum if it fails to perform or performs late. Under the Turkish Code of Obligations a judge may reduce an excessive penalty, except where the debtor is a merchant. Related guide →

DASK (zorunlu deprem sigortası) Compulsory earthquake insurance

Insurance that owners of residential buildings in Turkey must take out under Law No. 6305 on Disaster Insurance. A valid policy is required for title deed transactions involving residential property. Related guide →

Dava şartı Procedural precondition

A condition that must be met for a court to examine a case on its merits, such as jurisdiction, capacity to sue or, in certain disputes, a prior attempt at mandatory mediation. If a precondition is missing, the case is dismissed on procedural grounds. Related guide →

Değerleme raporu Property valuation report

A report by a licensed real estate appraiser stating the market value of a property. It is required for sales of property to foreign buyers and for citizenship applications based on real estate investment. Check the current requirements before the transaction. Related guide →

Destekten yoksun kalma tazminatı Compensation for loss of support

Compensation payable to those who were financially supported by a person who died as a result of an accident or another wrongful act, such as a spouse or children. It is calculated on the basis of the deceased's income, age and the dependants' circumstances. Related guide →

e-Devlet e-Government portal

Turkey's official online government portal (turkiye.gov.tr). Foreigners who hold a foreigner identification number can obtain an e-Devlet password and use it to view residence permit records, title deeds, court files on UYAP and tax and social security records. Related guide →

Ecrimisil Compensation for unlawful occupation

Compensation that the owner of a property can claim from a person who uses it without a legal basis, including a co-owner who prevents the others from using a jointly owned property. It covers the period of use within the limitation period. Related guide →

Edinilmiş mallara katılma Participation in acquired property

The default matrimonial property regime in Turkey since 1 January 2002. Property acquired for consideration during the marriage is shared on divorce, generally half each after debts are deducted, while personal property such as gifts and inheritances is excluded. Related guide →

Haciz Attachment (seizure)

Seizure of a debtor's assets, such as bank accounts, salary, vehicles or real estate, by the enforcement office in order to sell them and pay the creditor. Certain assets and a portion of salary are exempt from attachment by law. Related guide →

Hak düşürücü süre Peremptory time limit

A time limit after which the right itself is extinguished, such as the period for renouncing an inheritance or for filing an annulment action. Unlike a limitation period, the court takes it into account of its own motion and it cannot be interrupted. Related guide →

Hizmet tespiti davası Action for determination of insured service

A lawsuit asking the labour court to establish periods of work that were not reported to the Social Security Institution (SGK). It must generally be filed within five years from the end of the year in which the work was performed. Related guide →

Hükmün açıklanmasının geri bırakılması (HAGB) Deferral of the announcement of the verdict

A criminal law mechanism under Article 231 of the Code of Criminal Procedure: for certain offences, the court defers announcing the conviction and the defendant is placed under supervision for a set period. If no new intentional offence is committed during that period, the case is dismissed. The rules were amended by Law No. 7589 in 2026. Related guide →

İcra inkâr tazminatı Compensation for bad-faith objection in enforcement

Compensation that a court may order against a debtor who objected to an enforcement proceeding without justification, when the creditor wins an action to annul the objection; it can also be ordered against the creditor in certain cases. Related guide →

İcra takibi Debt enforcement proceedings

Proceedings started at an enforcement office to collect a debt, either with a court judgment or without one. A creditor can start proceedings without a judgment; the debtor is then served with a payment order and may object within the statutory period. Related guide →

İhbar tazminatı Pay in lieu of notice

Payment due when an employment contract of indefinite duration is terminated without observing the statutory notice period. The notice period ranges from two to eight weeks depending on length of service (Labour Law No. 4857, Article 17). Related guide →

İhtarname Formal notice

A written notice, usually served through a notary, calling on the other party to perform an obligation or informing them of a legal step such as termination. It is often used to put a debtor in default and serves as evidence of the date of notification. Related guide →

İhtiyati haciz Precautionary attachment

An interim court order freezing a debtor's assets before or during proceedings to secure a monetary claim that is due, so that the debtor cannot dispose of them. The creditor is usually required to provide security. Related guide →

İhtiyati tedbir Interim injunction

A temporary court measure preserving the situation until judgment, for example an annotation preventing the sale of a disputed property. It is granted if there is a risk that the claimant's right will become impossible or much harder to enforce. Related guide →

İkamet izni Residence permit

Permission for a foreigner to stay in Turkey beyond the visa or visa-free period, issued under the Law on Foreigners and International Protection No. 6458. The main types are short-term, family, student, long-term and humanitarian residence permits. Applications are made online and completed at the provincial migration office. Related guide →

İlam Enforceable judgment

A court decision that can be enforced through the enforcement office. Some judgments, such as those concerning rights in rem or family matters, can be enforced only after they become final. Related guide →

İpotek Mortgage

A security right over real estate registered at the land registry to secure a debt. If the debt is not paid, the creditor can have the property sold through enforcement proceedings. Before buying a property, the title deed should be checked for mortgages and other annotations. Related guide →

İptal davası Annulment action

A lawsuit before the administrative courts asking for an administrative decision to be annulled as unlawful, for example the refusal of a residence permit or a citizenship application. The general time limit is 60 days from service of the decision. Related guide →

İşe iade davası Reinstatement claim

A claim by an employee dismissed without a valid reason to be reinstated. It is available in workplaces with at least 30 employees to employees with at least six months' service under a contract of indefinite duration. A mediator must be approached within one month of the notice of termination. Related guide →

İskân (yapı kullanma izin belgesi) Occupancy permit

The permit issued by the municipality confirming that a building has been completed in accordance with its construction permit and may be used. Buildings without an occupancy permit can cause problems with utility connections, condominium ownership and some financing options. Related guide →

İstihkak davası Third-party ownership claim

A lawsuit filed when an asset attached in enforcement proceedings is claimed by a third party who says it belongs to them and not to the debtor. Related guide →

İstinaf Appeal to the regional court

The first level of appeal against first-instance judgments, heard by the regional courts of appeal (Bölge Adliye Mahkemesi) or the regional administrative courts, which review both facts and law. The time limit is generally two weeks in civil and criminal cases and 30 days in administrative cases; check the specific rules for each type of case. Related guide →

İtirazın iptali davası Action to annul an objection

A lawsuit filed by a creditor after the debtor objects to enforcement proceedings without judgment. If the court annuls the objection, the enforcement proceedings continue. It must be filed within one year of notification of the objection. Related guide →

İtirazın kaldırılması Setting aside an objection

A faster procedure before the enforcement court to set aside a debtor's objection, available when the creditor holds certain documents such as a judgment, an acknowledged signed document or an official document. Related guide →

Kambiyo senedi Negotiable instrument

Cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes. They can be enforced through a special, faster enforcement procedure, and the time limits for objecting are shorter than in ordinary enforcement proceedings. Related guide →

Kat irtifakı Construction servitude

A right registered on the title deed before a building is completed, allocating future independent units to the owners according to the project. It is converted into condominium ownership once the building is completed and receives its occupancy permit. Related guide →

Kat mülkiyeti Condominium ownership

Ownership of an independent unit, such as an apartment, in a completed building, together with a share of the land and the common areas, under the Condominium Law No. 634. Related guide →

Kıdem tazminatı Severance pay

Payment due to an employee with at least one year of service when the employment ends in circumstances specified by law, such as dismissal without just cause, resignation for just cause, retirement or, for women, within one year of marriage. It equals 30 days' gross wage for each year of service, subject to a statutory ceiling. Related guide →

Kısmi dava Partial claim

A lawsuit claiming only part of a divisible claim while reserving the rest. Since the 2026 amendments (Law No. 7589), the claimant may increase the claim once during the proceedings (Code of Civil Procedure, Article 109). Related guide →

Konkordato Concordat (debt restructuring)

A court-supervised procedure allowing a debtor in financial difficulty to restructure its debts through an agreement with its creditors, approved by the court, while being protected from enforcement during the process. Related guide →

Kovuşturma Prosecution (trial stage)

The stage of criminal proceedings that begins when the court accepts the indictment and ends with a final judgment. Related guide →

KVKK Turkish Personal Data Protection Law

The Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu) and, by extension, the Personal Data Protection Authority that enforces it. It sets the conditions for processing personal data, the rights of data subjects and the rules for transferring data abroad. Related guide →

Limited şirket (Ltd. Şti.) Limited liability company (LLC)

The most common company type in Turkey, regulated by the Turkish Commercial Code. It can have between one and fifty shareholders, who may be foreign individuals or companies. Share transfers require a written agreement with notarised signatures and approval by the general assembly. Related guide →

Mal rejimi Matrimonial property regime

The rules governing the spouses' property during the marriage and its division on divorce or death. Unless the spouses agree otherwise, the regime is participation in acquired property; separation of property and other regimes can be chosen by contract. Related guide →

Mavi Kart Blue Card

A card issued to persons who were Turkish citizens by birth and gave up their citizenship with permission, and to their descendants. Under Article 28 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, holders enjoy most of the rights of Turkish citizens, such as residence, work and property ownership, with some exceptions such as voting. Related guide →

Menfi tespit davası Negative declaratory action

A lawsuit asking the court to declare that the claimant does not owe a particular debt. It can be filed before or after enforcement proceedings have started. Related guide →

Mirasçılık belgesi (veraset ilamı) Certificate of inheritance

A document showing who the heirs are and their shares. It is issued by a notary or by the civil court of peace; where there is a foreign element, such as a foreign deceased or heir, it is generally obtained from the court. It is needed to transfer the deceased's property and bank accounts. Related guide →

Mirasın reddi Renunciation of an inheritance

A declaration to the civil court of peace by which a legal or appointed heir refuses the inheritance, typically to avoid liability for the deceased's debts. As a rule it must be made within three months of learning of the death (Turkish Civil Code, Article 606). Related guide →

Müdafi Defence counsel

A lawyer who defends a suspect or defendant in criminal proceedings. In certain cases, for example for minors or for offences carrying a minimum sentence above a statutory threshold, the appointment of defence counsel is mandatory. Related guide →

Muris muvazaası Disguised transfer to deprive heirs

A transaction in which a person, intending to deprive their heirs, transfers property by presenting it as a sale when it is actually a gift. The heirs can bring an action to have the title deed cancelled and registered in the names of all heirs. Related guide →

Nafaka Maintenance (alimony and child support)

Financial support ordered by the family court. It includes interim maintenance during the divorce case, child support, and maintenance for a spouse who would fall into poverty because of the divorce. Related guide →

Noter Notary public

A public official who drafts and certifies documents. In Turkey notaries prepare powers of attorney, formal notices, vehicle sales, promises to sell real estate and certified translations. Title deed transfers, however, are carried out at the land registry office. Related guide →

Ödeme emri Payment order

The order served on a debtor at the start of enforcement proceedings without judgment, requiring payment of the debt. In general enforcement the debtor may object within seven days of service; in proceedings based on negotiable instruments the period is five days. Related guide →

Önalım (şufa) hakkı Pre-emption right

The right of a co-owner to buy a share of a jointly owned property that another co-owner sells to a third party, on the same terms. It must be exercised by lawsuit within three months of notification of the sale and in any case within two years of the sale. Related guide →

Ortaklığın giderilmesi (izale-i şuyu) Partition of co-owned property

A lawsuit to end joint ownership of a property, often between heirs, by physical division or, more commonly, by sale at public auction and division of the proceeds. Mandatory mediation applies before filing suit. Related guide →

Saklı pay Reserved share (forced heirship)

The portion of an estate that cannot be taken away from certain heirs by will or gift. In Turkey, descendants, parents and the surviving spouse have reserved shares; siblings do not. Related guide →

Şerh Annotation (on the title deed)

A note registered on the title deed, such as a lease, a right of first refusal, a promise to sell, an interim injunction or an attachment. Annotations can bind future owners, so they should be checked before buying. Related guide →

SGK Social Security Institution

Sosyal Güvenlik Kurumu, the public body responsible for social security and general health insurance in Turkey, including retirement pensions and registration of employees. Related guide →

Soruşturma Criminal investigation

The stage of criminal proceedings conducted by the public prosecutor, from the first report of a crime until the decision to indict or not to prosecute. Related guide →

Tahkim Arbitration

Resolution of a dispute by arbitrators chosen by the parties instead of the state courts, based on an arbitration agreement. Turkey is a party to the 1958 New York Convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign arbitral awards. Related guide →

Tam yargı davası Full remedy action

A lawsuit before the administrative courts for compensation of damage caused by an administrative act or action, for example the services of a public hospital. Related guide →

Tanıma ve tenfiz Recognition and enforcement (exequatur)

The court procedure by which a foreign court judgment, such as a divorce decree, is recognised or made enforceable in Turkey under the Private International Law Act No. 5718. Certain foreign divorce judgments can instead be registered directly by the civil registry under Article 27/A of the Civil Registry Services Law. Related guide →

Tapu Title deed

The official record of ownership of real estate, kept by the land registry (Tapu ve Kadastro). In Turkey ownership of real estate is transferred only by registration at the land registry office; a private sale contract alone does not transfer ownership. Related guide →

Tebligat Service of documents

Official delivery of court documents, decisions and notices under the Notification Law No. 7201. Many time limits start to run from the date of service. Service abroad is usually made through international conventions or Turkish consulates; companies and lawyers also receive electronic service (e-Tebligat). Related guide →

Temerrüt Default

Failure to perform an obligation on time. Once a debtor is in default, the creditor may claim default interest and, under certain conditions, compensation or termination of the contract. Related guide →

Temyiz Appeal on points of law (cassation)

The appeal to the Court of Cassation (Yargıtay) or, in administrative cases, the Council of State (Danıştay), which reviews only whether the law was applied correctly. Not every decision can be appealed to cassation. Related guide →

Tenkis davası Reduction action

A lawsuit by a heir whose reserved share has been infringed by a will or by gifts, asking for the excessive dispositions to be reduced to the extent necessary to restore the reserved share. Related guide →

Tüketici hakem heyeti Consumer arbitration committee

A body attached to the local governorship or district governorship that decides consumer disputes below an amount set each year. Applications are free and can be made online through e-Devlet; above that amount, consumer courts have jurisdiction. Related guide →

Turkuaz Kart Turquoise Card

A card granting indefinite work permit status to qualified foreigners under the International Workforce Law No. 6735, initially for a transition period. It also gives residence rights to the holder's spouse and dependent children. Related guide →

UYAP National Judiciary Informatics System

The electronic system on which all Turkish court and enforcement files are kept. Lawyers file documents through UYAP, and parties with e-Devlet access can view their own case files online. Related guide →

Uygunluk belgesi Certificate of conformity

A certificate confirming that an investment meets the requirements for Turkish citizenship by investment. For real estate investments it is issued by the relevant authority after checking the purchase, the valuation and the payment records, and it is submitted with the citizenship application. Related guide →

Uzlaşma (vergi) Tax settlement

A negotiated settlement with the tax administration. Since Law No. 7524 (2024), only tax loss penalties and certain irregularity penalties above a threshold can be settled; the tax itself and late payment interest are excluded. Related guide →

Uzlaştırma (ceza) Victim-offender reconciliation

A procedure for certain offences in which a conciliator helps the suspect and the victim reach an agreement. If the agreement is fulfilled, the prosecution ends. Related guide →

Vasiyetname Will

A unilateral disposition of property taking effect on death. Turkish law recognises official wills made before a notary or civil court of peace, handwritten wills written entirely by the testator, and oral wills in emergencies. Related guide →

Vekâletname Power of attorney

A document authorising a lawyer or another person to act on someone's behalf. A power of attorney for a lawyer is normally drawn up by a notary in Turkey, or abroad at a Turkish consulate or before a local notary with an apostille and a sworn translation. Powers such as selling property or settling a case must be stated expressly. Related guide →

Velayet Custody (parental authority)

The parents' authority and responsibility for their minor child's care, upbringing, representation and property. On divorce, custody is generally awarded to one parent and the other is granted contact rights; joint custody may be possible in some cases. Related guide →

Vergi numarası Tax identification number

A number issued by the tax office, required for many transactions such as buying property, opening a bank account or setting up utilities. Foreigners can obtain one at a tax office and, in many cases, online. Related guide →

Vergi ziyaı cezası Tax loss penalty

A penalty imposed when tax is not assessed or is assessed incompletely because tax obligations were not fulfilled on time or in full. It can be reduced in certain cases, for example through settlement or the statutory penalty reduction procedure; check the current rules. Related guide →

Yabancı kimlik numarası Foreigner identification number

A personal identification number beginning with 99, assigned to foreigners who obtain a residence permit or work permit in Turkey, or on request. It is used for e-Devlet, banking, health services and official applications. Related guide →

Yeminli tercüman Sworn translator

A translator who has taken an oath before a Turkish notary. Foreign-language documents submitted to Turkish courts, notaries and authorities must normally be translated by a sworn translator and the translation notarised. Related guide →

Yürütmeyi durdurma Stay of execution

An interim order of an administrative court suspending an administrative decision while the case is pending. It is granted if the decision is clearly unlawful and its implementation would cause damage that is difficult or impossible to remedy. Related guide →

Zamanaşımı Limitation period

The period after which a claim can no longer be enforced if the debtor raises the defence. Under the Turkish Code of Obligations the general limitation period is ten years, and five years for claims such as rent, interest and attorneys' fees; many special periods also exist. Related guide →

Zımni ret Implied rejection

If an authority does not respond to an application within 30 days, the application is deemed rejected and the time limit for filing an administrative lawsuit begins to run (Administrative Procedure Law, Article 10). Related guide →

Turkish legal glossary

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