Istanbul · Legal Services

Legal counsel in real estate, foreign nationals and citizenship law.

MSA — Matter. Strategy. Advocacy.

"A boutique approach, personalised case management, and end-to-end legal counsel."

End-to-end real estate, citizenship and VAT exemption services in Türkiye for foreign investors.

In real estate and investment matters, MSA Hukuk advises on the legal review of property status, title deed and acquisition procedures, examination of title records and encumbrances, assessment of annotations, mortgages and liens, and ensuring transactions are conducted in accordance with Turkish law.

For foreign clients, we advise on property acquisition, citizenship and residence processes in Türkiye, ensuring the investment process is carried out securely and in compliance with applicable regulation.

We also provide legal advice in contract law, commercial and corporate law, the law of obligations, private international law and international trade law, mergers and acquisitions, lease law, enforcement and bankruptcy law, dispute resolution, international arbitration, inheritance law, and personal data protection and compliance under KVKK and GDPR.

Get in Touch View Practice Areas

Practice Areas

Principal areas of practice.

Legal advice and case follow-up is provided in the following areas.

Real Estate Law

Title deed review, sale and purchase agreements, transfer procedures, and advice on property disputes — for Turkish nationals and foreign clients alike.

Foreign Nationals & Citizenship Law

Legal advice and file follow-up for citizenship-by-investment applications under Law No. 5901.

Contract Law

Drafting and negotiating commercial contracts in Turkish and English.

Lease Law

Resolution of disputes arising from lease agreements.

Residence Permit Procedures

Preparation and follow-up of short-term, family and investor residence permit applications.

VAT Exemption (Art. 13/i)

Advice on the value-added-tax exemption available to non-resident foreign individuals and entities purchasing residential or commercial property in Türkiye.

Commercial and Corporate Law

Every stage of commercial life, from company formation through mergers and acquisitions to dispute resolution.

Private International Law

Applicable law, jurisdiction, and recognition/enforcement of foreign judgments in disputes with a foreign element.

The Office

About

Selen Akar — LinkedIn

M. Selen Akar

Lawyer

M. Selen Akar, a lawyer registered with the Istanbul Bar Association, provides legal advice in real estate law, foreign nationals and citizenship law, and residence permit procedures.

Bar Registration No.Istanbul Bar Association — 57926

Practising Since2017

LanguagesTurkish, English

Based InIstanbul, Türkiye

Frequently Asked Questions

Before you write in

This depends on the type of procedure and the specifics of your file. Please get in touch for an assessment specific to your situation.

Timelines vary depending on the type of application, nationality, and completeness of the file. No general timeframe is guaranteed.

Under the relevant legislation, certain family members may be included under specific conditions. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

No. A property purchase is only one of the material conditions of an exceptional citizenship application.

A property investment of at least USD 400,000, or its equivalent in foreign currency, is required.

No. Only properties with established condominium ownership or floor easement, or built plots, are accepted.

Shared ownership acquired after 1 February 2023 is not counted toward citizenship.

There is no numerical limit under the direct-purchase route.

An annotation is recorded on the title deed stating the property will not be sold for three years.

Yes, under Article 12/1-b of Law No. 5901, subject to case-by-case review.

Payment must be sold to the Central Bank through a bank, with a Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (DAB) issued.