Several million people of Turkish origin live in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and elsewhere in Europe, and a great many of them have unfinished business in Türkiye: an inherited share of a property, a divorce that needs recognising, a flat to be sold, a case that needs a lawyer. Almost all of it can be handled without travelling. This article sets out how, and what to watch for.
Two routes, and which to choose
Turkish consulate. The mission acts as a notary. The document is produced in Turkish, enters the Turkish notarial system electronically, and needs no apostille and no translation. It is the cleaner route, and its only real drawback is the appointment queue — which, in cities with large Turkish communities, can be substantial.
Local notary plus apostille. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria and Belgium are all parties to the 1961 Hague Convention, so a document executed before a local notary can be apostilled and then translated in Türkiye by a sworn translator, with the translation notarised.
The choice is usually made by timing. Where the transaction can wait for a consular appointment, take it. Where it cannot, the local notary route works — provided the instructions are precise.
The two things that go wrong
The photograph. Documents used at the Turkish land registry — every property purchase, sale or annotation — and documents for divorce and recognition proceedings must bear the grantor's photograph. European notaries do not affix photographs as a matter of course, and clients do not know to ask. A document without one is refused at the counter in Türkiye, and reissuing it from Europe costs weeks.
The wording. Turkish registries read authority strictly. A German or Dutch notary will notarise a document drafted in general terms, and the land registry will decline it because the specific authority to sell, or to receive the price, or to enter an annotation, is absent.
Both problems are solved the same way: have the Turkish text drafted in Türkiye before the appointment, and give the local notary explicit instructions including the photograph.
What people in Europe most often need
Inheritance. A parent dies leaving property in Türkiye; the heirs are scattered across Europe. Handling this requires a certificate of inheritance, transfer of the estate into the heirs' names, and often a sale or a partition. Powers of attorney for these matters should cover applying for the certificate of inheritance, representing the heir in the estate, accepting or renouncing the inheritance, effecting the transfer, selling, and receiving the proceeds.
Renunciation deserves particular attention. Turkish law allows an heir to renounce an inheritance within a defined period, and where an estate carries debts, renunciation may be the correct decision. The period is short, and heirs abroad often learn of the death late — so this is a matter for prompt advice rather than leisurely consideration.
Property sales. A flat held for years, now to be sold. The power of attorney must expressly authorise sale, determination of the price, receipt of the proceeds and the seller's declarations — and carry a photograph.
Recognition of a divorce. A couple divorced in Germany; the judgment needs to take effect in the Turkish civil registry. This requires recognition proceedings, the foreign judgment with a certificate of finality, apostilled and translated, and a photographed power of attorney with express authority for recognition and enforcement.
Litigation. Any case in Türkiye — inheritance disputes, property claims, employment matters — can be conducted by a lawyer under a power of attorney with express litigation authority, including appeal and receipt of sums awarded.
Military service and civil status. Matters concerning registration, name corrections and similar administrative applications, which can generally be handled by a representative.
Dual nationality and identity
Most people in this position hold both Turkish and a European nationality. Two practical consequences.
In Türkiye, a dual national is treated as a Turkish citizen. The Turkish identity number is the operative reference for property, banking, tax and litigation, and the other passport is not relevant to those dealings.
Where a name has been changed or transliterated in the European country — a spelling adapted to local orthography, a married name adopted — the Turkish records may not match. That mismatch surfaces at exactly the wrong moment, usually at a land registry or a bank. Where it exists, it should be corrected formally rather than explained repeatedly, and the correction is itself a matter that can be handled by a lawyer under power of attorney.
Scope: grant what is needed
The temptation, when arranging a document from a distance, is to make it broad so that nothing is missed. Resist it.
Enumerate the authorities the matter requires — sale, inheritance, litigation, banking — and include a substitution clause. Leave out authority to borrow, to give guarantees, or to deal with unrelated assets. Where the matter is a single transaction, consider an expiry date.
Where family members are involved on both sides of a transaction, the conflict question is real: a relative in Türkiye who is also an heir should not hold a power of attorney to divide the same estate. Appointing an independent lawyer avoids a dispute that is otherwise likely.
Practical points
- Book the consular appointment as soon as the need is known; the queue is the timetable.
- Have the Turkish text drafted before the appointment.
- Bring biometric photographs, whatever the document is for.
- Bring your Turkish identity number as well as your passport.
- Send a scan to your lawyer immediately; courier the original.
- For inheritance matters, act promptly — renunciation periods are short.
- Keep a copy, and remember that revocation takes effect on registration and notification.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to Türkiye? For most matters, no. An agreed divorce ordinarily requires the parties to be heard.
Which is faster, consulate or local notary? The consulate route has fewer steps; the local notary route avoids the appointment queue. Choose by timing.
Does the document need a photograph? For land registry and personal status matters, yes. Include one always.
Can one document cover several matters? Yes — enumerate each set of authorities.
Can my brother in Türkiye act for me? Legally yes; where he has an interest in the same matter, it is a poor idea.
What if my name is spelled differently in Türkiye? Correct the record formally. A lawyer can handle it.
How long does an inheritance transfer take? Variable, and it depends on the number of heirs and whether they agree. Starting early matters more than anything else.
Handled from where you are
Nearly everything a person in Europe needs done in Türkiye can be done by a lawyer under a properly drafted power of attorney. What determines whether it goes smoothly is a single document prepared before an appointment.
Dural Hukuk acts for clients in Germany, France, the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe on inheritance, property, family and litigation matters in Türkiye, and prepares the power of attorney texts they take to the consulate or notary. Call +90 535 260 74 54 or use the contact form on this site.
This article is general information on Turkish law as at August 2026 and is not legal advice. Inheritance and family matters turn on their facts and carry short time limits; obtain advice promptly.