How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey? 2026

How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey? 2026 – (Most Common Lawsuits Filed by Turkish Citizens Living Abroad: Rent, Recognition & Enforcement, Custody, Debt Collection, and Inheritance Cases)

Filing a lawsuit in Turkey is an essential legal process for both residents and Turkish citizens living abroad who wish to protect their rights.

Many Turkish citizens residing overseas — especially in Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, and the United Kingdom — often need to resolve legal matters in Turkey, such as rental disputes, divorce recognition, custody, inheritance, or debt recovery.

As of 2026, thanks to digitalization and the UYAP (National Judiciary Informatics System), Turkish courts now allow many legal procedures to be conducted remotely through an attorney, making it easier for citizens abroad to pursue justice without traveling to Turkey.

1. How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey

To start a lawsuit in Turkey, one must first identify the competent court according to the subject of the case.

Different types of cases fall under the jurisdiction of different courts:

Civil Court of First Instance (Asliye Hukuk Mahkemesi): Handles inheritance, property, recognition and enforcement, and compensation cases.

Civil Court of Peace (Sulh Hukuk Mahkemesi): Handles rent and property-related disputes.

Family Court (Aile Mahkemesi): Handles divorce, custody, alimony, and property division cases.

Execution Court (İcra Hukuk Mahkemesi): Handles debt collection and enforcement matters.

To file a case, the claimant — or their authorized attorney — must prepare a lawsuit petition (dilekçe) and submit it to the relevant court.

Citizens living abroad can give power of attorney to a lawyer in Turkey through a Turkish Consulate, allowing the entire process to be managed remotely.

2. Which Lawsuits Do Turkish Citizens Abroad File Most Often?

Turkish citizens living abroad most frequently file the following lawsuits in Turkish courts:

🔹 Rent Lawsuits

Many citizens who own homes or commercial properties in Turkey file rent determination, eviction, or rental debt recovery lawsuits.

These cases are heard before Civil Courts of Peace and usually require evidence such as rental contracts, bank receipts, and property records.

Working with an experienced rent lawyer ensures a faster and legally sound resolution.

🔹 Recognition and Enforcement (Tanıma ve Tenfiz) Lawsuits

These are among the most common cases for Turkish citizens who divorced abroad.

A recognition lawsuit makes a foreign court’s decision legally valid in Turkey, while an enforcement lawsuit allows that decision to be executed (e.g., alimony, compensation).

A foreign divorce judgment is not automatically valid in Turkey; without recognition, the person still appears “married” in official records.

Therefore, to update civil status, a recognition and enforcement lawsuit must be filed in Civil Court of First Instance with apostilled and translated documents.

🔹 Custody (Velayet) Lawsuits

When one parent living abroad wants custody of their child or needs a custody ruling to be recognized in Turkey, they can file a custody case in Family Court.

The court evaluates the child’s best interest, considering age, education, and emotional well-being.

Psychological and social evaluation reports are often included as evidence in these cases.

🔹 Debt Collection Lawsuits

Citizens abroad may file a debt collection lawsuit in Turkey to recover unpaid rent, commercial debts, or money owed under contracts.

These cases are filed in Execution Courts or Civil Courts of First Instance.

Supporting documents such as invoices, contracts, or bank statements are essential for proving the claim.

🔹 Inheritance Lawsuits

Inheritance disputes are also common, particularly among families living in different countries.

When a family member passes away, heirs may file a lawsuit for division of inheritance or annulment of a property transfer in Turkey.

Such cases require a certificate of inheritance (veraset ilamı), land registry documents, and official population records. Inheritance cases are handled by Civil Courts of First Instance. How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey? 2026

3. The Role of an Attorney

Because the Turkish legal system has procedural complexities, working with an experienced attorney (avukat) is crucial.

An attorney ensures that the lawsuit is filed correctly, deadlines are met, and no procedural rights are lost.

Turkish citizens abroad can issue a power of attorney through the nearest Turkish Consulate, giving their lawyer full authority to act on their behalf.

This saves time, travel costs, and prevents potential legal mistakes.

Court of Cassation, 2nd Civil Chamber, Decision No. 2024/3176 E., 2025/1528 K.: “Recognition and enforcement of foreign court judgments in Turkey can only be achieved through a lawsuit filed before Turkish courts.”

4. How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey? 2026

Filing a lawsuit in Turkey is now easier and more accessible than ever.

With the support of electronic court systems, e-Government, and experienced lawyers, citizens living abroad can effectively pursue their rights from anywhere in the world.

Whether the issue involves rental disputes, recognition and enforcement, custody, debt collection, or inheritance, professional legal assistance ensures a smoother and faster outcome.

The Turkish justice system today offers both digital access and international reach, allowing citizens to protect their rights efficiently. How to File a Lawsuit in Turkey? 2026