Turkey Asset Repatriation 2026: Legal Framework for Bringing Foreign Assets to Turkey
Turkey has introduced a new asset repatriation regime under Law No. 7582, published in the Official Gazette dated 4 June 2026. The regulation creates an important legal opportunity for individuals and companies that wish to declare certain assets held abroad and bring them into the Turkish financial system.
The new regime is particularly relevant for foreign investors, Turkish citizens living abroad, international entrepreneurs, high-net-worth individuals, companies with foreign-held assets, and persons considering relocation to Turkey.
What Is Turkey’s 2026 Asset Repatriation Regime?
The 2026 asset repatriation regime allows certain assets held abroad to be declared through banks or intermediary institutions in Turkey. The purpose of the regulation is to encourage the transfer of foreign-held assets into Turkey while providing a tax-based legal framework for compliant declarations.
The regulation covers assets such as money, gold, foreign currency, securities, and other capital market instruments. Assets located in Turkey but not recorded in the statutory books of income or corporate taxpayers may also fall within the scope of the regime under certain conditions.
Declarations may be made until 31 July 2027. For foreign assets, the declared assets must generally be transferred to Turkey or deposited into accounts held with Turkish banks or intermediary institutions within the period prescribed by law.
Who Can Benefit From the Asset Repatriation Regime?
Both real persons and legal entities may benefit from the regime. The regulation may be relevant not only for Turkish residents, but also for foreign individuals and companies that hold assets abroad and intend to transfer them to Turkey.
In practice, the regime may be considered by:
Individuals holding savings or investments outside Turkey,
Foreign investors planning to move capital into Turkey,
Companies with financial assets held abroad,
Turkish citizens living overseas,
International entrepreneurs considering Turkey as a business base,
Individuals considering Turkish tax residency,
Businesses seeking to regularize unrecorded assets.
However, eligibility should be assessed carefully. The type of asset, the location of the asset, banking documentation, source of funds, tax residency status, accounting requirements, and possible reporting obligations in other jurisdictions should be reviewed before filing a declaration.
Which Assets Can Be Declared?
The main categories of assets covered by the regime include:
Money,
Gold,
Foreign currency,
Securities,
Other capital market instruments.
If the assets are held abroad, the declaration is generally made through a bank or intermediary institution in Turkey. If the assets are physically brought into Turkey, customs documentation and supporting records may become important.
For companies and taxpayers with accounting obligations in Turkey, the treatment of the declared asset in statutory books should also be examined. A declaration made without proper accounting and tax planning may create practical difficulties in the future.
Tax Rates Under the New Regime
The general tax rate under the asset repatriation regime may be up to 5% depending on the timing of the declaration and the structure of the transaction. However, the applicable rate may be reduced where the declared assets are kept in certain Turkish financial instruments for a specified period.
The regulation encourages not only the transfer of assets to Turkey, but also their retention within the Turkish financial system. Depending on the holding period and the selected financial instrument, the tax burden may be reduced and may even fall to 0% in certain cases.
This means that the decision to use the regime should not be limited to the act of declaration. The person or company should also consider how long the asset will remain in Turkey, which financial instrument will be used, and whether the required commitments can be fulfilled.
Protection Against Tax Inspection
One of the main advantages of the asset repatriation regime is the protection it may provide against tax inspection and tax assessment in relation to properly declared assets.
If the statutory conditions are satisfied, the declared assets should not, in principle, be used as a basis for tax inspection or tax assessment. This provides legal certainty for individuals and companies that wish to regularize their assets within the framework of the law.
However, this protection is not unlimited. Banking compliance, anti-money laundering rules, customs requirements, international reporting obligations, beneficial ownership issues, and other regulatory obligations may still apply. Therefore, the regime should not be treated as a general immunity mechanism.
For high-value declarations, legal and tax planning is strongly recommended before any transfer is made.
20-Year Foreign Income Tax Exemption for New Residents in Turkey
Law No. 7582 also introduced a significant tax incentive for certain individuals who become resident in Turkey.
Under this new rule, individuals who become resident in Turkey may benefit from a 20-year income tax exemption for income and gains derived outside Turkey, provided that they did not have a domicile or tax liability in Turkey during the three calendar years preceding the year in which they became resident.
This provision is especially important for internationally mobile individuals, foreign investors, entrepreneurs, remote workers, retirees, and high-net-worth individuals considering relocation to Turkey.
It is important to distinguish this exemption from the asset repatriation regime. Asset repatriation concerns the declaration and transfer of assets. The 20-year exemption concerns foreign-source income and gains of qualifying individuals who become tax resident in Turkey.
Why Legal Advice Is Important
Turkey’s 2026 asset repatriation regime may offer significant advantages, but it must be used carefully. A simple bank declaration may not be sufficient for long-term legal certainty.
Before making a declaration, the following issues should be assessed:
Whether the person or company is eligible,
Whether the asset is covered by the regime,
Whether the asset can be transferred to Turkey within the legal deadline,
Whether the source of funds can be documented,
Whether the declaration affects tax residency,
Whether the asset must be recorded in statutory books,
Whether foreign tax or reporting obligations may arise,
Whether banking compliance requirements can be satisfied.
For foreign investors and internationally mobile individuals, the interaction between Turkish tax law, banking compliance, residence planning, inheritance planning, and international reporting rules may be particularly important.
Cindemir Law Office Legal Services
Cindemir Law Office provides legal assistance to foreign individuals, international investors, and companies regarding asset transfers, investment structuring, tax-related legal planning, company formation, banking procedures, and relocation-related legal matters in Turkey.
Our legal support may include reviewing the client’s eligibility, assessing the legal risks of the proposed transfer, coordinating with financial and tax advisors, preparing legal documentation, and advising on related Turkish law issues.
Conclusion
Turkey’s 2026 asset repatriation regime under Law No. 7582 creates a new opportunity for individuals and companies that wish to bring foreign assets into Turkey within a legal and tax-regulated framework.
The regulation may be particularly attractive for foreign investors, Turkish citizens living abroad, international entrepreneurs, and individuals considering relocation to Turkey. In addition, the 20-year foreign income tax exemption for certain new residents may strengthen Turkey’s position as an attractive jurisdiction for internationally mobile individuals.
Nevertheless, every case should be evaluated individually. Before declaring assets or transferring funds to Turkey, legal advice should be obtained to ensure compliance with Turkish law and to avoid future tax, banking, or regulatory issues.