Short answer: in Türkiye a creditor can start enforcement without a court judgment. The enforcement office (icra dairesi) sends the debtor a payment order, and the debtor has 7 days to pay or object. A timely objection stops the process. Without one, the creditor can seek attachment of accounts, wages, vehicles and real estate. The same rules apply to Turkish citizens and foreigners.
Last updated: 9 November 2026.
This guide is for people owed money in Alanya, Antalya or Manavgat, and for those who have received enforcement papers. The core rules are in the Enforcement and Bankruptcy Code No. 2004 (İİK).
How does debt enforcement work in Türkiye?
- Request. The creditor states the parties, the amount and the basis of the debt.
- Payment order. The debtor has 7 days to pay or object (Art. 60, 62). If there is a court judgment, an enforcement order is issued with the same 7-day period (Art. 32).
- Objection. A timely objection stops enforcement (Art. 66).
- Attachment. The creditor requests attachment; the office can search for assets through the UYAP judicial system (Art. 78).
- Sale. Sale of attached property can be requested within one year of attachment (Art. 106).
Which deadlines matter most?
| Step | Deadline | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Pay or object to a payment order | 7 days from service | Art. 60, 62 |
| Action to annul the objection | 1 year from service of the objection | Art. 67 |
| Removal of the objection by the enforcement court | 6 months from service of the objection | Art. 68 |
| Request attachment | 1 year from service of the order (with exceptions) | Art. 78 |
| Request sale | 1 year from attachment | Art. 106 |
The limitation period of the debt itself is separate: generally 10 years, and 5 years for rent, interest and other periodic payments (Art. 146, 147 of the Code of Obligations).
What should you do if you receive a payment order?
- Check the service date and count the 7 days.
- If you dispute the debt, object in writing or orally at the enforcement office; a partial objection must state the amount.
- If the signature is not yours, say so separately and expressly.
- Give an address in Türkiye with the objection (Art. 62).
- If you do not object, do not ignore the duty to declare assets (Art. 60, 74).
If you are abroad, a lawyer can act under a power of attorney: power of attorney from abroad.
What can be attached?
Bank accounts, vehicles, real estate and money owed by third parties can be attached. For wages, the attached part takes into account the needs of the debtor and family, but it cannot be less than one quarter (Art. 83). Before buying property, check the land registry for attachment entries: how to check a tapu.
Foreign creditors and foreign judgments
A foreigner can start enforcement in Türkiye. A foreign claimant or enforcing party generally provides security, and the court may grant an exemption on the basis of reciprocity (Art. 48 of the Private International Law Act). A foreign judgment needs a Turkish enforcement decision, known as tenfiz (Art. 50), and reciprocity is one of the conditions (Art. 54). On documents: notary, translation and apostille.
What is the difference between bankruptcy and concordat?
Bankruptcy applies only to persons subject to it, mainly merchants and companies (Art. 155, 156). A concordat lets a debtor ask the court for extra time or a reduction in order to pay and avoid bankruptcy (Art. 285). If success looks possible, the court grants a definitive one-year period (Art. 289).
For matters in Alanya, Manavgat and Antalya: enforcement and bankruptcy law · lawyer in Antalya · LLC or sole trader.
Frequently asked questions
Can I object without giving reasons?
In enforcement without a judgment, yes. An objection within 7 days stops the process. A signature objection must be made separately and expressly.
What if I miss the 7 days?
The enforcement becomes final and the creditor can request attachment. The duty to declare assets also arises.
Can a debt be recovered from a foreigner who has left Türkiye?
Yes, if there are assets or income in Türkiye and service was valid. Enforcement abroad depends on that country's law and on treaties.
How long does a creditor have after an objection?
One year for an annulment action, and six months for removal by the enforcement court where a suitable document exists.
This article is general information as of 9 November 2026 and is not individual legal advice.
Rufina Taştan Law Office — lawyer in Alanya: legal advice in English, Russian and Turkish.