Buying a Yacht in Türkiye: Transfer, Registration and Costs

Buying a yacht in Türkiye can be completed within days if you prepare well. This guide summarises the transfer of privately used (pleasure) craft.

How does the transfer work?

For Turkish-flagged vessels, transfer takes place at the harbour master's office or a notary. You will need the sale agreement, the vessel's seaworthiness certificate and both parties' IDs. Always check for liens or attachments before transfer — for yachts listed on our platform, the broker completes this check.

What is the registration ledger?

The bağlama kütüğü is Türkiye's registration system for private craft. After transfer, the vessel must be re-registered in the new owner's name and its annual visa renewed. An unregistered vessel cannot legally sail.

What costs should you budget for?

• Marina/berthing: annual fees scale with length and vary sharply by region.
• Insurance: compulsory third-party liability plus optional hull cover.
• Maintenance: annual antifouling, engine service and winterisation; a common rule of thumb is 5–10% of the yacht's value per year in running costs.
• Survey: a pre-purchase survey fee is always cheaper than an expensive surprise.

Is buying at auction different?

The transfer steps are identical; the difference is that the price was set by transparent bidding and the process is tracked by the platform. After payment completes, handover is scheduled with the broker present and closed with a delivery report.