Cadastre and Agricultural Land

Cadastre law (kadastro hukuku) concerns the surveying of land and the establishment of ownership records in the land registry. It is regulated mainly in the Cadastre Law No. 3402 (Kadastro Kanunu). Agricultural land is also subject to special rules on use and division under the Soil Conservation and Land Use Law No. 5403. These matters are particularly common in rural areas, where land has often been inherited over several generations without registration.

Scope of services

• Objections to cadastral records (kadastro tutanağı) during the posting period
• Cadastral court cases (kadastro mahkemesi)
• Actions for annulment of title and registration (tapu iptali ve tescil)
• Acquisition of unregistered land by long-term possession (zilyetlik yoluyla kazanma)
• Boundary and area disputes and corrections of land registry entries
• Partition of jointly owned land (ortaklığın giderilmesi)
• Advice on minimum parcel sizes and division restrictions for agricultural land
• Disputes involving pasture land (mera) and land consolidation (arazi toplulaştırma)

How does the process work?

1. Title deeds, cadastral records, maps and inheritance documents are reviewed.
2. The history of the land, possession and the parties involved are clarified.
3. The legal options and applicable deadlines are explained.
4. An objection, an application to the land registry or a court action is prepared and filed; site inspections and expert examinations are usually part of the proceedings.
5. The proceedings are followed until the decision and its registration in the land registry.

Frequently asked questions

Can a cadastral record still be challenged years later?

The law provides a limited period after the cadastral records become final during which certain claims based on facts before the cadastre may be brought. After this period, challenges are generally no longer possible. The dates should be checked individually.

Can agricultural land be divided among the heirs?

Agricultural land cannot be divided below the minimum size set by law. Where division is not possible, the heirs may agree on transferring the land to one heir, or partition by sale may be considered.

I am a foreign national and inherited agricultural land. What should I do?

Foreign heirs may inherit land in Turkey, but certain restrictions on acquiring agricultural land may apply. A certificate of inheritance, an apostilled power of attorney and sworn translations (yeminli tercüme) of foreign documents are usually needed.

For questions about land and cadastre matters, please use our contact page.