Who owns what in a marriage in Turkey?

Separate ownership during the marriage, with the gains shared at the end

Turkey's default regime is participation in acquired property: each spouse owns their own assets, and the property acquired during the marriage is shared when it ends.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

The default, not your case. This page describes what applies when a couple sign no contract. Family law changes, and a court can decide differently on the facts of a case. For a couple with a foreign spouse, take advice in each country involved. This is general information, not legal advice.

What applies by default

Each spouse owns and manages their own property. Property acquired during the marriage by work is a category that is shared at the end.

When the marriage ends in divorce

Each spouse has a claim to half of the value of the property acquired during the marriage by the other, subject to debts and to adjustments.

A marriage contract

Spouses can choose another regime, such as separation of property or a community, in a notarised marriage contract, before or during the marriage.

What stays your own, and gifts

Personal items, property from before the marriage, and gifts and inheritances are personal property.

If one spouse is a foreigner

Turkey has its own private international law. Check which country's law applies if one spouse is a foreigner.

Understand the legal system first

Turkey belongs to the Civil law family. Family law grows out of the legal tradition, so it helps to know how the system works.

Read the Turkey legal-system profile in the Legal Families Atlas →
Can a foreigner buy property in Turkey? →

Official sources

Ministry of Justice of Turkey

TheLawToKnow Tools’s marital property guide is an educational overview of general rules. It is not legal advice, and it does not replace the official source or a lawyer in the country. Report a mistake.