Citizenship by investment in TürkiyeOverview
Turkish citizenship by investment is not a separate programme but a form of exceptional naturalisation under Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901. Article 20 of the Implementing Regulation lists the qualifying investments, each of which must be certified by the competent public body before the citizenship file is opened. Because the grant is a discretionary act of the state, completion of the investment creates eligibility to apply, not an automatic right to a passport.
The thresholds were last reset in 2022, when the real estate minimum rose from USD 250,000 to USD 400,000 and the rule requiring foreign currency to be converted into Turkish lira through a Turkish bank was tightened. Property must be valued by an appraiser licensed by the Capital Markets Board, the price must be paid through the banking system, and the title deed is annotated so that the property cannot be sold for three years. Property previously used for a citizenship application cannot generally be reused by a new applicant.
Alongside real estate, investors may qualify through a USD 500,000 deposit in a Turkish bank, USD 500,000 of government debt instruments, USD 500,000 in units of real estate investment or venture capital funds, a USD 500,000 fixed capital investment approved by the Ministry of Industry and Technology, or by creating employment for at least 50 people. Deposit, bond and fund routes carry the same three-year commitment as property.
In practice, the process combines property or financial due diligence, investment certification, a short-term residence permit and the citizenship application itself. Recent practice places greater emphasis on traceable funds, apostilled civil documents, criminal record certificates and in-person biometric enrolment for the investor and spouse. Türkiye is not an EU member, so the Turkish passport does not confer Schengen visa-free travel, but it offers access to a wide range of destinations in Asia, Latin America and Africa, and Turkish nationals are eligible for the US E-2 treaty investor visa.
Key benefits
- Full citizenship for the investor, spouse and minor children in a single application
- No prior residence period and no language or civic test
- Real estate route allows the investment to be held as a tangible, income-producing asset
- Türkiye permits dual citizenship, subject to the rules of the applicant's other country
- Eligibility for the US E-2 treaty investor visa as a Turkish national
- Access to a large domestic market and a strategic base between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia
- Citizenship passes to children born after naturalisation
Requirements
- Applicant aged 18 or over with a clean criminal record and no national security concerns
- Qualifying investment completed and certified by the competent authority before the citizenship application
- Real estate: market value of at least USD 400,000 confirmed by a CMB-licensed valuation report
- Real estate: payment through Turkish banks with a foreign-exchange conversion certificate, and a three-year no-sale annotation on the title
- Deposit, bond or fund routes: at least USD 500,000 (or equivalent) held for three years
- Fixed capital route: USD 500,000 investment certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology
- Employment route: at least 50 jobs certified by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security
- Short-term residence permit obtained on the basis of the investment before naturalisation
- Lawful and documented source of funds
- Citizens of certain countries face restrictions on acquiring Turkish property
Investment options
Real estate
USD 400,000
One or more properties (completed or off-plan with a notarised contract) valued at USD 400,000 or more, paid through the banking system and annotated against sale for three years.
Bank deposit
USD 500,000
Foreign currency or equivalent deposit held in Turkish banks for three years, certified by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.
Government debt instruments
USD 500,000
Purchase of Turkish government bonds or other public debt instruments, held for three years.
Investment funds
USD 500,000
Units in real estate investment funds or venture capital investment funds approved by the Capital Markets Board, held for three years.
Fixed capital investment
USD 500,000
Direct investment in a Turkish business, certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Employment creation
50 employees
Creation of employment for at least 50 people, certified by the labour ministry. Suited to operating businesses rather than passive investors.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Eligibility and structure review
We review the family's profile, source of wealth and preferred route, and confirm that no nationality-based property restrictions apply.
- 2
Tax number and bank account
A Turkish tax identification number and bank account are opened, usually through a notarised power of attorney.
- 3
Investment and due diligence
For property: independent title, zoning and lien checks, a CMB-licensed valuation and a bank-traceable purchase. For financial routes: placement with a Turkish bank or licensed institution.
- 4
Certificate of conformity
The competent authority issues a certificate confirming that the investment meets the Article 20 criteria and the three-year commitment.
- 5
Residence permit
A short-term residence permit is obtained on the basis of the investment, with biometric enrolment in Türkiye.
- 6
Citizenship application
The file is submitted to the citizenship authorities and undergoes security review before a Presidential decision is issued.
- 7
Identity card and passport
Following approval, Turkish identity cards and passports are issued for the investor and included family members.
Typical documents
- Valid passports for all applicants
- Birth certificates and marriage certificate, apostilled or legalised and translated
- Criminal record certificates from country of nationality and residence
- Biometric photographs
- Evidence of source of funds and bank transfer records
- Foreign-exchange conversion certificate (real estate route)
- CMB-licensed valuation report and title deed with annotation
- Certificate of conformity from the competent authority
- Residence permit and Turkish tax number
- Notarised power of attorney, where a representative acts
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth treats Turkish citizenship as one element of a wider family plan rather than a property transaction. We coordinate independent valuation and title due diligence, prepare a clear source-of-wealth narrative before funds move, and work with licensed Turkish counsel on each certification step, so that the three-year commitment, banking flows and family documentation are consistent from the outset. Throughout, files are handled on a need-to-know basis, and we consider how Turkish assets and nationality fit with the family's tax residence, estate planning and succession arrangements.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
Can I sell the property after receiving citizenship?
Not within three years of the title annotation. After the holding period expires, the property may be sold without affecting citizenship already granted.
Can several properties be combined to reach USD 400,000?
Yes, multiple properties may be combined, provided each is purchased and annotated under the citizenship rules and the combined certified value reaches the threshold.
Are adult children included?
Only the spouse and children under 18 are included. Adult children generally need to qualify in their own right.
Do I need to live in Türkiye?
There is no minimum residence period, but a residence permit and in-person biometric steps are part of the process.
Does a Turkish passport give visa-free access to the Schengen Area?
No. Turkish citizens currently require a Schengen visa. The passport's value lies mainly in Turkish market access, E-2 eligibility and travel to many non-EU destinations.
Do I lose my current nationality?
Türkiye does not require renunciation. Whether you may keep your existing nationality depends on the law of that country.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
