Getting married in Turkey will give an extra special touch to your perfect day. However it is important to ensure a few simple steps are followed to ensure your day goes smoothly. Please note that this guide is correct at time of writing so it is important you follow the official links at the bottom for the latest information.

There are no minimum residency requirements, providing that you obtain a Certificate of No Impediment from the relevant authority in your country of residence.

If you have not obtained this document then you will be required to be resident in Turkey for 21 days prior to applying for a Certificate of No Impediment, and a further 21 days for the relevant documentation to be issued. Therefore, you will need to allow a minimum of 42 days from the time you apply for the necessary documentation to the day of your wedding ceremony.

A number of items of documentation are also required for your wedding to legally take place, these documents must be originals and no more than 6 months out of date for the certificate on no impediment.

WebLink: British Embassy, Getting Married in Turkey

Weblink: UK Citizens: General Registry Office

To some just one trip to Kalkan is enough to get bitten by the bug and purchase a holiday home, or in some cases a full time relocation.

The Background of Property Purchase in Turkey

In real terms foreigners can only own up to a maximum of 2.5 hectares (25,000 m2) of land and property. Upon application the Council of Ministers may use its discretion to increase this threshold to a maximum of 30 hectares (300,000m2) providing this figure does not exceed a total of 0.5% of the land area of the province in question.

Foreign nationals and foreign commercial companies are not allowed to buy property in  strategic military and security zones in Turkey.

Please note that to purchase real estate/land in Turkey, conditions of reciprocity, complying with legal restrictions apply. In implementation of the reciprocity principles, it is essential that real estate acquisition rights given by a foreign country to its own citizens and to commercial companies established in foreign countries, according to the laws of these countries are also given to the citizens and commercial companies of the Republic of Turkey. As detailed in the Turkish Embassy website, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkey have full reciprocity regarding real estate acquisition.

The Buying Process

Once you have seen a property in Turkey that you would like to purchase you will need to find the deposit. This is payable by cash or credit card as personal cheques will not be accepted by Turkish banks. An initial payment of 10-20% of the property price is usually required. The exact figure will be confirmed individually with the owner at the time of purchase. When this is paid a receipt will be given and the amound received is written into the final contract.

When you decide to reserve a property you will need to have your passport with you and additional photographs are also required for the purpose of your Tapu.

The next stage is to visit and instruct a Solicitor who will prepare the purchase contact. Remember they are there there to help you and you are paying for their services so please ensure you use their time to ask any questions you may have. Should you not be present in Turkey for the actual purchase of your property, you then need to go (your agent will accompany you) to the Notary’s office to sign a document giving your agent power of Attorney for the property, not for your money. This enables the agent to continue with obtaining the Title Deeds in your absence. Usually then you will return to the solicitors office, where the sale contract showing the property address and payment details will have been drawn up and be signed by both you the purchaser(s) and your agent.

Now the initial stage has been completed, you do not need to be present for any more of the property purchase transaction, a process that only takes a few hours. You will be given the original contract and copy of the power of Attorney to take back home with you.

On the same day or the next day your papers are forwarded to the Land Registry office for all documentation relating to the purchase is then forwarded to the Land Registration office. It is here everything is checked and then the title deeds ( TAPU ) are re-issued in the new owners name and forwarded back to the local Land Registration office who, in turn contact your agent. This process usually takes 6-8 weeks to complete.

Your agent will advise you of this when this process is complete at which time your will need to pay the final balance plus the 3% property tax. Upon receipt of this your agent will then sign for and collect your TAPU from the Land Registration office on your behalf and this will then be held in the office pending your next visit and collection.

Funding your Turkish Property Purchase

WebLink: DenizBank Turkish Mortgages

Renting Your Property

Whilst EnjoyKalkan is not able to offer full guidance on the Turkish taxation system or the full legalities involved in renting your property and declaring the income we hope the guides below are of use.

Rental Income Declaration Guide Including Deductable Expenses

Guide To Taxation In Turkey

WebLink: Turkish Revenue Administration

Kalkan not only has its own beach but is located close to two of the most spectacular beaches in Turkey, Kaputas beach and Patara beach.

Kaputas Beach

Kaputas beach is an internationally famous sandy swimming cove located at the foot of a dramatic gorge. Located only ten minutes drive from Kalkan, Kaputas Beach features the clearest of turquoise waters and despite is size never gets over crowded.

Whilst Kaputas Beach does not have any facilities you will often find enterprising locals selling refreshments, snacks and sun umbrellas. Please note there are a number of steep steps down to the beach.

Kalkan Beach

Kalkan town has its own blue flag pebble beach with clear waters close to the harbour front, with gently shelving water suitable for all ages.

Kalkan beach has a number of cafes and facilities nearby including the hire of sun loungers.

Kalkan Beach Clubs

Kalkan has a number of beach clubs that offer direct sea access, refreshments and a number of additional facilities including watersports.

WebLink: Palm Beach Club Kalkan

WebLink: Kalamar Beach Club

Patara Beach

Patara is one of Turkeys longest sandy beaches stretching 12 kilometers. Featuring a small cafe that also hires sunbeds and umbrellas Patara beach is the perfect day out for all ages.

Patara also has a number of ruins and sites of historical importance, for further information see the article on ancient lycia.

WebLink: 3D Tour of Patara Beach

Kalkan today

Kalkan is a beautiful unspoilt Mediterranean style village and is set along Turkeys Lycian coast. As there is the absence of mass tourism it remains a charming, idyllic retreat. Kalkan is perfect for those looking for a relaxing, stress free holiday. The town has a beautiful backdrop of the Taurus Mountains and has a quaint historic harbor famous for its fresh fish. Narrow streets twist down to the harbour, which are lined with old whitewashed villas with shuttered windows. There is also a selection of specialty shops selling jewellery, crafts and clothes.

Kalkan town is famous for its restaurants and there are around 100 to choose from! There are fabulous roof top terraces where you can watch the sun go down whilst eating fresh fish or local turkish cuisine or why not sit at the restaurants by the harbour and watch the boats drift in and out.

Kalkan also has a number of low key bars where you can enjoy a glass of Efes or even a cocktail after your meal. There is plenty to explore during the day, a must is a visit to the local market on a Thursday to get some bargains or you could browse the shops and buy a handcrafted rug or a piece of unusual pottery. For the more active there why not go on Gullet trip and explore the nearby islands or visit the local dive centre.

There are also plenty of historic sites to visit in the local area so why not hire a car to make the most of your holiday. Kalkan has fabulous beaches in the area including Patara Beach and the idyllic Kapatus beach. Kalkan also has a small beach if you do not wish to stray too far. The towns of Kas and Fethiye are also a must to visit and a Dolmus (buses) service runs there on a regular basis.

WebLink:
3D Tour of Kalkan

Get a first hand view of Kalkan with this video

The History of Kalkan

The orginal settlers came to Kalkan 150 to 200 years ago by people of both Greek and Turkish origin. Kalkan was orginally known by its Greek name ‘Kalamaki’. This is thought to have come from the greek word Kalamari (squid) which are of abundance in the surrounding sea.

Kalkan became an important port during the 19th century – even more so than that of the larger towns of Fethiye or Antalya. Cargo ships were often loaded with charcoal, silk, olive oil, wine and also cotton, grain and flour. From there they sailed to the far reaches of the Ottoman Empire. At the turn of the 20th century Kalkan had become a large village and had its own customs house and there were reportedly seventeen restaurants, a goldsmith, a shoemaker and several tailors.

Following World War 1 in 1923 and after the Turkish War of Independence most of the Greek origin people who lived in Kalkan left Turkey. Some went to the nearby Greek island of Meis, but most were resettled near Athens. Trading in Kalkan continued until the 1950s. However, due to the improvement of the Turkish road system and the use of overland transport, the population of Kalkan began to dwindle away as people moved to larger coastal cities to find work. However, Kalkan was saved in the 1960’s by the arrival of wealthy yachtsmen and tourism became the main economy of Kalkan. Today Kalkan has still retained its historic charm. This is due to the fact that there are strict building and preservation codes and many of Kalkan’s buildings are listed.

Kalkan 1983