Enforcement Law

Enforcement proceedings (icra takibi) are how unpaid money is collected in Turkey. They can be started on the basis of a court judgment or without one. Enforcement files mainly concern rent arrears, unpaid invoices and loans between individuals, promissory notes and cheques, and the enforcement of judgments obtained in other cases.

How it works

• Proceedings without a judgment (ilamsız takip). A payment order is served on the debtor, who has seven days to object. If there is no objection, the proceedings become final and the debtor's assets can be attached.

• If the debtor objects. The proceedings stop. If the creditor holds a qualifying document, they can apply for removal of the objection (itirazın kaldırılması), or they can file an action for cancellation of the objection (itirazın iptali) within one year. If the objection proves unjustified, the debtor can be ordered to pay enforcement denial compensation of at least 20% of the claim.

• Promissory notes and cheques. A faster procedure specific to negotiable instruments, with a five-day objection period.

• Rent arrears with eviction. Collection of rent and a request for eviction can be combined in one set of proceedings.

• Foreign judgments. A judgment given abroad must first be enforced by a Turkish court (tenfiz) before enforcement proceedings can begin in Turkey.

Frequently asked questions

What if the debtor has no assets?

Before proceedings are started, what can realistically be collected is assessed: property, vehicles, bank accounts, salary. If the debtor has nothing, proceedings may still be worthwhile to interrupt the limitation period, but you should know that from the start.

I am the debtor. What can I do?

Read the payment order carefully and note the date it was served. The objection period is seven days, or five days for promissory notes and cheques. Missing it has serious consequences.