Legalization of foreign assets at 0%: how does the new tax amnesty work in Turkey?

In 2026, Turkey significantly expanded the opportunities for owners of international capital by introducing new rules for voluntary asset declaration. One of the most discussed elements of the tax reform was the so-called tax amnesty, which allows legalizing foreign assets without paying tax, provided that the requirements established by law are met.

For international investors, entrepreneurs and asset owners, this opens up new opportunities for restructuring capital, minimizing tax risks and safely transferring assets to a stable jurisdiction.

What is a tax amnesty?

A tax amnesty is a special mechanism that allows individuals and legal entities to voluntarily declare assets located outside Turkey without the application of tax sanctions and financial liability.

This is not only about funds in foreign bank accounts. The program covers a wide range of assets, including:

• cash;
• securities;
• shares of foreign companies;
• investment portfolios;
• gold and precious metals;
• other financial assets located outside Turkey.

The main goal of the program is to stimulate the return of capital to the Turkish economy and make Turkey a more attractive jurisdiction for international business.

One of the most attractive features of the new program is the ability to legalize foreign assets without paying tax. Provided that all legal requirements are met, a zero tax rate is applied to the declared assets. This means that the owner of the assets can officially transfer them to Turkey without additional tax burden, which is why the program is often called 0% asset legalization.

For many international investors, this becomes an opportunity to bring the asset ownership structure into line with modern tax law requirements without significant financial costs.

What benefits do investors receive?

The key advantage of the new tax amnesty is not only the absence of taxation. After proper asset declaration, the law stipulates that tax authorities will not make claims regarding the origin of such assets under this program. For owners of international assets, this allows to significantly reduce tax risks and provide greater legal certainty in further capital management. This is especially relevant for individuals who have invested through different jurisdictions for many years and are now seeking to simplify the structure of their assets.

According to the current rules, you can take advantage of the voluntary asset declaration program until July 2027.

It is during this period that individuals and legal entities can transfer assets to Turkey using a special preferential regime. However, investors should not postpone their decision until the last moment. Practice shows that such programs have a limited period of validity, and after their completion, the legislator does not always extend the preferential regime.

For whom will this program be most interesting?

The new tax amnesty may be especially beneficial for:

• international investors;
• owners of foreign companies;
• entrepreneurs with diversified assets;
• individuals planning to become tax residents of Turkey;
• owners of significant investment portfolios;
• families engaged in long-term capital management.

In combination with the new rules on exemption from taxation of foreign income and the citizenship by investment program, this amnesty forms a comprehensive mechanism for international tax planning.

Despite the attractive conditions, each situation requires an individual analysis. Before declaring assets, it is important to assess:

• the tax status of the owner of the assets;
• their country of origin;
• existing international agreements on the avoidance of double taxation;
• possible requirements of the legislation of other states;
• the structure of ownership of assets and corporate rights.

Proper structuring allows not only to take advantage of the advantages of Turkish legislation, but also to avoid potential risks in the future.

World practice demonstrates a trend towards strengthening international tax control and automatic exchange of financial information between states.

The Antwort Law team supports clients in the legalization of foreign assets, analyzes the possibility of applying new tax benefits and helps to build an effective international capital ownership structure. We assess tax risks, support asset declaration procedures, advise on tax residency, establishment of corporate structures and investments in Turkey.

If you are planning to take advantage of the new voluntary asset declaration program or are considering Turkey as a jurisdiction for international tax planning, contact the Antwort Law team. We will help assess your situation and offer the best solution according to your goals.

Lidia Ivanova

International lawyer
Antwort Law