If you are thinking to buy Turkish property it might be a good idea to know when to visit. Turkey has a number of public and religious holidays that might hinder the process. In addition, it is a good idea to know a little of what is special to the Turkish people when you are going to buy a Turkish property. As Turkey’s holidays or ‘Bayram’ are important to them, not only for the holiday but as recognition of their country and their religious beliefs. Some included in the list below of public and religious holidays will not have a fixed date as it moves with the Islamic calendar.
Public Holidays in Turkey
During public holidays the banks and government offices will be closed, alongside schools but it is a choice for businesses and although real estate offices might be open, no official work can be done to buy Turkish property on these days.
- New Year’s Day (Yeni Yil) -January 1st
- National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramını) - 23rd April
- Labour and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) - 1st May
- Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey (Türkiye'de Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) – 19th May
- Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) -30t August h
- Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) – 29th October
Religious holidays or days of observance
Whilst these are religious holidays they are also public holidays it will not be be possible to buy Turkish property during these times.
- Ramazam Feast Days x 3.(Şeker Bayramı) The first two are public holidays but the third is decided locally. In 2016 these will take place 4th,5th 6th July. The dates alter every year by about 10 days
- Scarificial Feast Day (Kurban Bayramı), this year the public holiday it will be over 4 days -12th-15th September but like Ramazan the dates move yearly
- Atatürk Memorial Day takes place on 10th November, not a public holiday but an important day in The Turkish calendar
- Kandil – These are not public holidays but they are 5 holy days of the Muslim calendar, here also the dates differ according to the Muslim calendar. Business will be conducted as normal but recognising their importance is at the very least polite.
- Mevlid Kandili (Mawlid an-Nabi) - The birth of Prophet Mohammad • Regaip Kandili – The night of Muhammad's conception • Miraç Kandili (Lailat al Miraj) – Prophet Mohammad's rising to sky • Berat Kandili (Mid-Sha'ban) – The forgiveness of the sins • Kadir Gecesi (Laylat al-Qadr) – The Koran's first appearance to Prophet Mohammad