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Power of Attorney for Buying or Selling Property Abroad

Power of Attorney for Buying or Selling Property Abroad

Created27.11.2025, 19.10

Updated27.11.2025, 19.14

One of the most important tools when buying or selling property abroad is a power of attorney. This legal document allows a trusted individual to act on your behalf in property transactions, even if you are not physically present. There are many situations in which a power of attorney becomes essential. Without it, completing transactions remotely can be difficult, slow, or even impossible. Since knowing the legal procedures involved to use a power of attorney helps the property deal be fair, we have prepared this blog article. Now, let's explore the general process for using power of attorney for buying property abroad!

What Is a Power of Attorney & How It Works?

A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that grants another person the authority to act on your behalf. This person is usually a trusted individual, such as a lawyer, a real estate agent, a family member, or a close friend whom you have confidence in to handle important matters responsibly.

When it comes to how to buy property abroad with POA, we can say that this person can s Benefits of using power of attorney ign contracts, handle payments, and complete legal procedures related to property transactions for you. You can also use power of attorney to sell property abroad. If you are also wondering how to sell property abroad with a POA, the process is very similar to buying. It allows your representative to manage the sale from the start to the end.

So, whether you are considering buying property abroad for investment or selling to change your lifestyle, you can complete the whole process efficiently without needing to be physically present.

It is also important to know that the responsible estate agents selling property abroad can only act within the powers you grant them. Therefore, working with trustworthy real estate agents is very important to ensure your property dealings are carried out safely.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Power of Attorney?

Using a power of attorney for sale of property provides several benefits just like it offers advantages for purchasing one. These include:

Time Savings and Smooth Transactions: Since your representative can complete all procedures on your behalf, having a power of attorney if incapacitated ensures that your transactions continue smoothly. This way, you can avoid multiple trips abroad, notary visits, and administrative delays.
Flexibility in Authority: You can decide exactly which powers your agent can access, whether limited to signing a contract or covering the entire buying or selling process. So, if you are asking “can power of attorney buy property?”, the answer is yes. On the other hand, if you are asking “can power of attorney sell property?”, the answer to this question is positive as well.
Legal Protection: A professional agent ensures that every step of your buying or selling process meets local laws, which is especially important when dealing with foreign procedures.
Peace of Mind: Knowing a trusted professional is managing your transactions gives you confidence and security throughout the process.

How to Obtain a Power of Attorney?

To arrange a power of attorney for buying property abroad you must follow several careful steps to ensure that the document is legally valid and accurately reflects your intentions. The first step is to decide on the estate agents buying property abroad instead of you.

Next, you need to determine the scope of the authority. You can grant broad powers to handle multiple matters or limit their authority to specific tasks, such as buying or selling property.

Once these decisions are made, you must visit a notary to obtain your document. There, they will ask for a few documents from you. The required documents to obtain a power of attorney are:

A valid passport
A tax number (if applicable)
Biometric photograph (in some cases)
A sworn translator (needed if your documents are in a foreign language)

Note: You may also need an apostille stamp under the Hague Convention to ensure the document is legally recognized internationally.

Finally, the POA must be signed and, in many cases, notarized or witnessed to be legally binding. Therefore, if you have a question like “does a power of attorney need to be notarized?”, the answer is usually yes.

Overall, it can be said that the power of attorney must be prepared in accordance with the legal requirements of the country where it will be used. For this reason, if you are planning to buy a home in Turkey, Spain, North Cyprus, or the United Arab Emirates, we recommend you to work with our team, who have in-depth knowledge about buying or selling property in these countries. Speaking of buying property abroad, you can take full advantage of our TeleProperty ® system to manage overseas property transactions remotely.

How to Revoke a Power of Attorney?

If you ever decide that you no longer need this document, you have the right to cancel authority at any time. The cancellation of a power of attorney for property abroad can be completed either at any notary office or at a consulate abroad by issuing an official revocation statement.

Once the revocation is prepared, it is essential to notify all institutions that previously accepted the POA, such as the land registry, banks, or other agencies, so they are aware that the representative no longer has permission to act for you.

What Are the Different Types of Power of Attorney?

The types of power of attorney are designed to suit different needs and circumstances. You can choose the right type depending on your goals, the level of trust in your agent, and the legal requirements.

General Power of Attorney:

A general Power of Attorney grants broad authority over property, finances, and legal matters. This means the agent can handle almost all aspects of a property transaction on your behalf, from signing contracts to managing payments.

Limited or Specific Power of Attorney:

A limited or specific POA restricts the agent’s authority to particular tasks or a defined period. For instance, a limited POA may allow the agent to sign a property purchase contract, make the payment, and register the property, but nothing beyond that. This type is commonly used for international real estate transactions because it offers a balance between convenience and control. It ensures the agent can act efficiently while limiting exposure to potential misuse.

Durable Power of Attorney:

If you are obtaining a power of attorney for an incapacitated person, you can choose this type. A durable power of attorney for incapacitated person is useful for property owners who may be away for long periods or cannot travel due to health or other reasons. With a durable POA, the agent can continue managing property matters without interruption, providing continuity and peace of mind for the principal.

Tips for Using a Power of Attorney

Power of attorney is a powerful tool, but it requires careful planning to ensure a smooth and secure property transaction. Here are key points and tips to keep in mind:

Choose a trustworthy and experienced representative.
Specify exactly what your agent is allowed to do to avoid confusion or misuse.
Use a limited or specific power of attorney whenever possible to reduce risks.
Set an expiration date if appropriate for extra protection.
Make sure that your POA follows the laws of the country where it will be used.
Keep copies and maintain records.
Ensure that all payments and financial transactions related to the property are conducted safely and traceably.
If circumstances change, cancel the POA through a notary or consulate and notify all relevant institutions.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can make your property transactions smoother. As an international real estate company, we build on this approach at TEKCE. By offering a wider range of options, handling all your paperwork, and even supporting you after the sale, we make sure your real estate transaction is straightforward.

FAQ About Power of Attorney

Can I buy a property with power of attorney?Yes, you can use a power of attorney to buy property abroad. Your representative can sign contracts, handle payments, and complete all legal procedures for buying property on your behalf.

Can I sell property with power of attorney?Yes, you can use a power of attorney to sell property abroad. Similar to buying, a POA lets your representative manage the sale of property, including signing documents, completing legal formalities, and receiving payments on your behalf.

Can power of attorney sell property after death?No. A power of attorney becomes invalid upon the death of the principal. After death, property is managed according to the will or local inheritance laws.

Do you pay tax if you sell a property abroad?Yes. Selling property abroad may trigger taxes in the country where the property is located, and sometimes in your home country as well.

Does a power of attorney have to be notarized?In most cases, yes. Notarization or witnessing is often required to make the POA legally valid, especially for property transactions abroad.