Turkey delays mandatory secure payment system for real estate deals to October 2026

Turkey's Ministry of Trade has delayed the mandatory launch of a secure payment system for real estate transactions, pushing the start date to October 1, 2026. This system is designed to significantly reduce fraud risks and secure the transaction process for buyers and sellers.

The new regulation will fundamentally change how real estate deals are conducted. Under the Secure Payment System, cash payments or direct bank transfers (like EFT) to the seller's account will no longer be considered valid payment methods on their own. The sale price will be held in a secure escrow account managed by the system until the official property title transfer is finalized.

Once the title deed transfer is completed, the sale amount will be automatically released from the secure account to the seller. This mechanism is intended to prevent disputes and uncertainties that can arise during the payment phase of a transaction. The ministry stated that this move aims to create a safer payment infrastructure for all parties involved.

By keeping the sale proceeds protected until the official transfer is registered, the system is expected to significantly mitigate risks such as fraud, the use of counterfeit money, or the failure of payments to reach the intended recipient. All monetary transfers conducted through the Secure Payment System will be officially recorded, ensuring greater transparency and security in real estate dealings across Turkey.