Inheritance and Estate Matters for Arab Citizens in Turkey 

Many Arab citizens own property, bank accounts, companies, vehicles, and other assets in Türkiye. When a foreign property owner or investor dies, their family may need to complete a number of legal procedures to transfer and manage the deceased person's assets.

International inheritance cases can become more complicated when the deceased person is an Arab citizen, the heirs live in another country, and the assets are located in Türkiye.

For Arab families dealing with an inheritance in Türkiye, issues such as succession, wills, real estate, bank accounts, company shares, taxes, and foreign inheritance documents may need to be addressed.

Can Arab Citizens Inherit Property in Türkiye?

Arab citizens may inherit assets located in Türkiye, subject to the applicable Turkish and international legal rules.

The estate may include:

• Apartments.
• Villas.
• Land.
• Commercial properties.
• Bank accounts.
• Company shares.
• Vehicles.
• Other assets.

The legal treatment depends on the nature and location of the asset and the applicable succession rules.

What Happens When an Arab Property Owner Dies in Türkiye?

When a foreign property owner dies, the heirs may need to establish their inheritance rights before transferring the deceased person's assets.

The process may involve:

• Death registration.
• Obtaining inheritance documentation.
• Identifying heirs.
• Reviewing the deceased person's assets.
• Completing title-deed procedures.
• Dealing with banks.
• Addressing tax obligations.

The exact procedure depends on the circumstances.

What Is an Inheritance Certificate?

An inheritance certificate, commonly known in Türkiye as an inheritance certificate (veraset ilamı), is an important document used to establish who the heirs are and their respective inheritance shares.

In international inheritance cases, the relevant documentation may need to be obtained or recognized according to the applicable legal procedure.

Can Foreign Heirs Obtain an Inheritance Certificate in Türkiye?

Depending on the circumstances, foreign heirs may need to obtain appropriate documentation establishing their inheritance rights in Türkiye.

The procedure may depend on:

• Nationality of the deceased.
• Nationality of the heirs.
• Place of death.
• Location of the assets.
• Existing foreign inheritance documents.
• Applicable international rules.

A lawyer can review the family's documents and determine the appropriate procedure.

What If the Deceased Was an Arab Citizen?

If an Arab citizen who owned assets in Türkiye dies, the family may need to coordinate procedures in both Türkiye and the deceased person's home country.

For example, the family may have:

• A foreign death certificate.
• A foreign inheritance certificate.
• A will.
• Turkish real estate.
• Turkish bank accounts.
• Company shares in Türkiye.

Foreign documents may require translation, notarization, apostille, legalization, or other formalities.

What If the Death Occurred in Türkiye?

If an Arab citizen dies while in Türkiye, the family may need to deal with Turkish administrative authorities as well as the deceased person's embassy or consulate.

The procedures may involve:

• Death registration.
• Medical documentation.
• Consular procedures.
• Funeral arrangements.
• Transportation of the body.
• Inheritance procedures.

These matters can sometimes need to be handled urgently.

Can the Deceased Person's Body Be Sent to an Arab Country?

Depending on the circumstances, the family may arrange for the deceased person's body to be transferred to their home country.

The process can involve:

• Death certificate.
• Medical documents.
• Consular procedures.
• Funeral service providers.
• Transportation documentation.
• Required permits.

The requirements depend on the destination country and the circumstances of the death.

What Happens to the Deceased's Property?

After death, the deceased person's property forms part of the estate.

The heirs may need to establish their rights before completing transfers involving:

• Real estate.
• Bank accounts.
• Vehicles.
• Company shares.
• Other registered assets.

The relevant legal procedures depend on the asset involved.

How Is Turkish Real Estate Transferred to Foreign Heirs?

If the deceased owned property in Türkiye, the heirs may need to complete title-deed procedures.

Documents may include:

• Death certificate.
• Inheritance certificate.
• Identification documents.
• Passport.
• Property information.
• Foreign inheritance documents, where applicable.

Foreign heirs may need additional documentation depending on their nationality and the circumstances.

What If There Is More Than One Heir?

An estate may have several heirs.

For example, the deceased may leave:

• Spouse.
• Children.
• Parents.
• Other legally recognized heirs.

Disagreements may arise concerning:

• Property.
• Sale of assets.
• Use of property.
• Distribution of income.
• Company shares.

A clear legal assessment can help determine each heir's rights.

What If the Heirs Live Outside Türkiye?

Many Arab heirs may live in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, or other countries.

They may not be able to travel repeatedly to Türkiye to complete inheritance procedures.

Depending on the matter, they may authorize a Turkish lawyer through a properly prepared power of attorney.

Can an Arab Heir Give a Power of Attorney From Abroad?

Depending on the circumstances, a power of attorney can be prepared through a Turkish consulate or another legally recognized procedure in the relevant country.

Foreign-issued powers of attorney may require:

• Apostille.
• Legalization.
• Turkish translation.
• Notarization.

The required formalities depend on where the document is issued and how it will be used in Türkiye.

What Happens to Bank Accounts After Death?

The deceased may have money in Turkish bank accounts.

The heirs may need to provide documentation establishing their inheritance rights before the bank can complete the relevant procedures.

The bank may require:

• Death certificate.
• Inheritance certificate.
• Identification.
• Tax-related documents.
• Other supporting documentation.

Each bank procedure should be assessed according to the relevant circumstances.

What If the Deceased Owned a Turkish Company?

Arab investors may own shares in Turkish companies.

After their death, the shares can become part of the estate.

The heirs may need to address:

• Share ownership.
• Company records.
• Share transfer.
• Management.
• Shareholder rights.
• Corporate documents.

The inheritance procedure and corporate procedure may need to be coordinated.

What If the Deceased Was a Company Manager?

Being a shareholder and being a company manager are different legal positions.

If the deceased was also a manager or director, the company may need to address the resulting corporate consequences separately.

The company's continuity should therefore be considered alongside the inheritance process.

What If the Deceased Owned a Business With Other Partners?

If an Arab investor owned a Turkish company together with business partners, the death of a shareholder may create questions concerning:

• Transfer of shares.
• Other shareholders' rights.
• Company management.
• Shareholder agreements.
• Valuation.
• Sale of shares.

The company's articles of association and any shareholder agreements should be reviewed.

What If There Is a Will?

A deceased person may have prepared a will in Türkiye or another country.

The legal effect of a foreign will in Türkiye depends on the applicable legal rules and circumstances.

The heirs may need to establish:

• Whether the will is valid.
• Where it was prepared.
• Applicable law.
• Whether it needs recognition or other procedures.
• Whether mandatory inheritance rights are affected.

A lawyer can review the will and related documents.

What If There Is a Foreign Will?

A will prepared in an Arab country may need to undergo certain formalities before it can be relied upon in Türkiye.

The requirements can depend on:

• Country of origin.
• Form of the will.
• Language.
• Authentication.
• Applicable law.
• Location of the assets.

The original document and its supporting records should be preserved.

What If the Heirs Disagree?

Inheritance disputes can arise when heirs disagree about:

• Ownership.
• Distribution.
• Property valuation.
• Sale of real estate.
• Bank accounts.
• Company shares.
• Validity of a will.

Depending on the circumstances, negotiations, mediation, or court proceedings may be considered.

What If One Heir Refuses to Cooperate?

An inheritance may become difficult to administer if one heir refuses to cooperate with the other heirs.

The legal options depend on the asset and the nature of the disagreement.

For example, real estate disputes may require a different procedure from disputes concerning company shares or bank accounts.

What Happens If the Property Has a Mortgage?

If the deceased owned mortgaged property, the heirs should determine:

• Outstanding debt.
• Mortgage conditions.
• Insurance.
• Payment obligations.
• The value of the property.

Inheritance of the property does not necessarily eliminate existing obligations connected with the asset.

What If the Deceased Had Debts?

Inheritance may involve not only assets but also certain liabilities.

Before distributing an estate, heirs should carefully assess:

• Bank debts.
• Mortgages.
• Tax obligations.
• Business debts.
• Other liabilities.

The legal consequences for heirs depend on the applicable rules and circumstances.

What If the Deceased Had a Residence Permit or Entry Ban?

The deceased person's immigration status may also need to be documented in certain circumstances, particularly when dealing with official records.

However, inheritance rights and immigration status are separate legal issues.

If heirs are unable to enter Türkiye because they themselves have entry bans or Tahdit codes, they may need legal representation to manage the estate.

What If an Heir Has an Entry Ban at Istanbul Airport?

An Arab heir may need to travel to Türkiye to deal with inherited property but discover that an entry restriction prevents them from entering.

The heir may have:

• Entry ban.
• Tahdit code.
• Previous deportation.
• Visa restriction.

In such cases, the immigration issue should be addressed separately from the inheritance matter.

A lawyer may also be able to handle certain inheritance procedures through representation.

Can an Heir Sell Inherited Property?

After establishing inheritance rights and completing the relevant title-deed procedures, heirs may consider selling inherited property.

Before a sale, they should review:

• Ownership records.
• Number of heirs.
• Consent requirements.
• Existing mortgages.
• Tenants.
• Taxes and fees.
• Sale documentation.

If several heirs are involved, coordination can be particularly important.

What Taxes and Fees May Apply?

Inheritance and property transfers can involve taxes, fees, and other administrative expenses.

The applicable obligations depend on:

• Value of the estate.
• Type of asset.
• Relationship between deceased and heirs.
• Location of the asset.
• Applicable legislation.

A professional review can help identify the relevant obligations.

Can Foreign Heirs Keep Property in Türkiye?

Foreign heirs may be able to inherit and hold property in Türkiye subject to applicable restrictions.

The nationality of the heir and the type and location of the property can be relevant.

Before completing the transfer, the legal status of the specific property should be checked.

What Documents Should Arab Heirs Prepare?

Depending on the case, heirs may need:

• Passport.
• Death certificate.
• Birth certificates.
• Marriage certificate.
• Foreign inheritance certificate.
• Will.
• Title deed.
• Bank documents.
• Company documents.
• Power of attorney.
• Other official records.

Foreign documents may need translation, notarization, apostille, or legalization.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm Services for Arab Heirs

Cosmos Legal Law Firm provides legal assistance to Arab citizens and families dealing with inheritance and estate matters in Türkiye.

Depending on the circumstances, the firm's services may include:

• Inheritance procedures.
• Inheritance certificates.
• Foreign inheritance document procedures.
• Real estate inheritance.
• Bank account inheritance matters.
• Company share inheritance.
• Will-related matters.
• Estate disputes.
• Co-heir disputes.
• Property transfer.
• Sale of inherited property.
• Power of attorney procedures.
• Representation before Turkish authorities and courts.
• Immigration issues affecting heirs.

The firm can review the deceased person's assets and the heirs' documents and assist with the applicable procedures.

Why Is Legal Advice Important in International Inheritance Cases?

International inheritance cases can involve multiple legal systems simultaneously.

For example, an Arab citizen may die while owning:

• An apartment in Istanbul.
• A bank account in Türkiye.
• A company interest.
• Property in an Arab country.

The heirs may live in several different countries.

Determining which legal rules and procedures apply to each asset can therefore be important.

Conclusion

Inheritance involving Arab citizens and assets in Türkiye can require coordination between Turkish law, foreign inheritance documents, family relationships, property records, banking procedures, and corporate records.

The process may become more complicated when the deceased person and heirs live in different countries or when some heirs cannot travel to Türkiye because of immigration restrictions.

Cosmos Legal Law Firm assists Arab citizens and their families with inheritance certificates, real estate inheritance, bank and company assets, wills, estate disputes, property transfers, and representation before Turkish authorities and courts.

If an Arab heir needs to travel to Türkiye through Istanbul Airport, any existing entry ban, Tahdit code, or other immigration restriction should also be reviewed separately.

Each inheritance case should be assessed individually based on the nationality of the deceased and heirs, the location of the assets, existing wills and documents, and the applicable legal rules.