Turks spent $2.4 billion purchasing property abroad during the first 11 months of 2025, reaching an all time high, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported Saturday based on central bank balance of payments data.
The spending represented a 26.2 percent increase from the same period in 2024, according to the central bank. The surge comes as annual inflation stood at 30.9 percent in December 2025, while the country’s currency lost about 22 percent of its value against the US dollar during the year.
The United Arab Emirates and Greece emerged as top destinations, driven by geographic proximity and investment programs that can offer residency rights, according to Bayram Tekçe, chairman of the Real Estate Service Exporters Association, a Turkish industry group.
“The UAE and especially Dubai offer a secure, institutional, transparent real estate market with low taxes and investment advantages,” Tekçe told Anadolu. He said rental properties in Dubai deliver returns in 12 to 15 years, compared to 30 years in Turkey.
Greece attracts buyers seeking European mobility through its Golden Visa program, which grants residence permits for property investments, with thresholds that rose for many purchases in major areas after rule changes that took effect in 2024.
The United States and United Kingdom remain popular for buyers seeking dollar-based income, pathways to residence and education opportunities for children, Tekçe said.
Turkish buyers typically spend between €250,000 and €1 million on overseas properties, with an average of €500,000, according to Tekçe. Buyers favor centrally located apartments requiring minimal maintenance over villas, particularly new construction projects with installment payment options.
August saw the highest monthly spending at $288 million, while January recorded the lowest at $144 million, Anadolu reported.
International real estate consultant Burak Ustaoğlu, speaking to Anadolu, said Turkish overseas property spending has grown by a factor of 12 since 2021, when the figure stood at $216 million. Primary motivations that drove the trend, he said, were currency risk and asset diversification, return calculations and lifestyle planning along with visa access.
Real estate consultant Özden Çimen, also cited by Anadolu, projected that Turkish spending on overseas property could exceed $6 billion during the 2026 to 2027 period.
“Behind such growth are not only domestic market conditions but also investment opportunities offered by foreign markets,” Çimen said. “Profit potential, dollar-based rental income and improved visa conditions are directing Turks toward overseas property investment.”