Türkiye citizenship by investment: complete guide to requirements, property route, and timeline

What is Türkiye citizenship by investment?

Türkiye citizenship by investment is a government programme that allows eligible foreigners to apply for Turkish citizenship after making an investment in the country’s economy. Investors can choose one of several approved options: the purchase of real estate, a bank deposit, government bonds, investment fund shares, or a business investment. 

The minimum investment starts at $400,000 for the real estate route, and the investment must usually be maintained for at least 3 years.

The legal basis for granting citizenship to investors is Article 12 of Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship ^[58] Source: Türkiye citizenship by investment framework, Law No. 5901 . The programme is further governed by the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, which sets out the investment categories and the framework used in practice. 

One of the main reasons investors choose this route is that it offers a direct path to citizenship without a long residence period before applying.

9 benefits of Türkiye citizenship by investment

Türkiye citizenship by investment offers a combination of speed, flexibility, and family planning. For many investors, the programme works best as a long-term diversification tool: a second citizenship, a recoverable investment structure, and the option to build ties with a country that sits between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

1. Fast route to citizenship

In practice, the route is generally measured in months rather than years, and Passportivity describes the typical timeline as 8 months or more once the investment has been completed and the file is prepared correctly.

2. No residence or language requirement

Investors are not required to live in Türkiye in order to obtain citizenship. For this route, it is enough to visit the country for steps such as biometrics and application formalities.

The programme is also more straightforward than many residence-led routes because investors are not required to pass a language or cultural knowledge test. For internationally mobile families, that can make planning much simpler.

3. One application for the whole family

Türkiye’s investor route is not limited to the main applicant alone. A spouse and the investor’s or spouse’s minor or dependent children may also acquire Turkish citizenship when they apply together with the main investor.

This is one of the reasons the programme is often used for family planning. It allows parents to solve mobility and long-term status questions for the household in one process instead of building separate strategies for each family member.

4. Capital can be held in assets 

Applicants qualify through real estate purchase for at least $400,000 or through other approved options such as a bank deposit or job creation, usually with a 3-year holding requirement.

That structure appeals to investors who want a second citizenship without writing off the entire amount as an irreversible cost. The capital is still at risk from market conditions, pricing, and exit timing, but in principle the asset can be sold or redeemed after the required holding period.

5. Long-term backup plan

Turkish citizenship gives investors a durable legal status rather than permission that depends on renewals. Citizens may live and work in Türkiye without restrictions and can come and go at any time, which is one reason the passport is often treated as a backup plan.

This does not mean every investor intends to relocate immediately. In many cases, the value lies in optionality: the ability to move later, spend more time in the country, or create a wider family safety net if personal or political circumstances change elsewhere.

6. Expanded travel options

Passportivity states that Turkish passport holders have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 120 countries, including destinations such as Japan and Singapore. For frequent travellers, that can make regional business trips and leisure travel easier to organise.

7. Open door to the US E-2 visa

Türkiye is listed by the US Department of State as an E-2 treaty country, which means Turkish nationals may apply for the E-2 treaty investor visa if they meet the separate US requirements ^[59] Source: E-2 treaty countries, US Department of State . That is why Turkish citizenship sometimes has value beyond Türkiye itself.

8. Dual or multiple citizenship may be possible

For many applicants, Turkish citizenship can sit alongside an existing nationality. Applicants are not required to renounce their original citizenship, provided this does not conflict with the law of their home country.

That flexibility matters to investors who want continuity as well as expansion. They may be able to keep existing business, inheritance, and family arrangements in place while adding a second citizenship to broaden future options.

9. Access to a strategically located market

Türkiye promotes itself as a hub at the nexus of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The country offers access to 1.3 billion people and a combined market worth $32.1 trillion GDP within a four-hour flight radius ^[60] Source: Strategic location, Invest in Türkiye . It explains why many multinational businesses use it as a regional base.

Türkiye citizenship by investment requirements

At the broadest level, the programme is open to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment and do not present an issue in terms of national security or public order.

Requirements for the main applicant

The main applicant is an adult investor over 18 who can complete the transaction in their own name and document the legality of the application. The applicant must choose and complete one of the investment routes:

• buying real estate worth at least $400,000;
• making a $500,000 bank deposit;
• buying government bonds or eligible fund shares;
• making a fixed capital investment;
• creating at least 50 jobs. 

The investment must be evidenced by the competent authority, and, in the real estate route, the title deed must include a restriction against resale for at least 3 years.

Family members who can be included

An investor may include close family members in the same application. Under the official rules, the following relatives can be added:

• spouse in legal marriage;
• children under 18.

Who may not qualify

Official sources do not publish a single fixed blacklist of barred nationalities for citizenship by investment. The applicant must not have any circumstances that could bar the acquisition of citizenship on the grounds of national security or public order. 

Türkiye citizenship by investment options

Türkiye offers several investment routes for foreign nationals who want to apply for citizenship under the exceptional acquisition rules. In practice, the programme is built around asset-based or business-based investments. Each route must be confirmed by the relevant authority through a Certificate of Eligibility before the citizenship application can move forward.

Real estate purchase

The best-known option is the purchase of real estate worth at least $400,000. The property must be registered with a 3-year restriction on sale, and the route is administered through the land registry system. 

This route remains the most visible because the investment is relatively easy to understand: the applicant acquires a tangible asset and may sell it after the holding period ends. At the same time, it is still a regulated process, with valuation, land-registry formalities, and compliance checks at each stage.

Bank deposit

Another option is to place at least $500,000 in a bank operating in Türkiye and commit to keeping the funds in place for at least 3 years. The relevant Certificate of Eligibility is issued through the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.

This route may suit investors who prefer a more liquid and financially straightforward structure than property ownership. It does not involve real estate selection or resale planning, although applicants still need to consider banking terms, currency exposure, and the opportunity cost of locking in capital for three years.

Fixed capital investment

Applicants may also qualify by making a fixed capital investment of at least $500,000. For this route, the Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

This option is generally more relevant to entrepreneurs and operating businesses than to passive investors. It can make sense where citizenship is part of a broader commercial strategy in Türkiye, but it usually requires more planning and clearer business substance than the property route.

Government bonds

A foreign national may qualify by purchasing government bonds worth at least $500,000 and undertaking to hold them for at least 3 years. According to the official process, this route is certified by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

For some investors, bonds offer a more familiar financial instrument than real estate. Even so, this is still an investment decision rather than a purely administrative one, and the applicant should weigh yield, currency risk, and the practical implications of the holding period.

Investment fund shares

Türkiye also allows citizenship applications based on the purchase of at least $500,000 in real estate investment fund shares or venture capital investment fund shares, with a minimum 3-year holding requirement. The relevant Certificate of Eligibility is issued by the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye.

This route may appeal to investors who want market exposure without buying property directly in their own name. It is a more specialist option than the standard property route, so it usually requires closer attention to fund structure, custody, compliance, and exit mechanics.

Job creation

The final route is employment creation. An applicant may qualify by creating at least 50 jobs in Türkiye, with the relevant Certificate of Eligibility issued through the authority responsible for international labour matters.

This option is usually the least passive of all the routes. It may be appropriate for investors who already operate a business in Türkiye or plan to build one, but it is rarely the simplest route for applicants whose only goal is to obtain citizenship efficiently.

Is Turkish real estate in high demand?

Foreign demand for residential property in Türkiye expanded rapidly during the past decade and peaked in 2022, reflecting both strong international interest and the appeal of the citizenship-by-investment programme. 

Since then, the trend has reversed: sales to foreign buyers fell from 67,490 in 2022 to 35,005 in 2023, 23,781 in 2024, and 21,534 in 2025 ^[63] Source: Foreign home sales, Daily Sabah , pointing to a cooler market after a period of exceptional growth.

Türkiye citizenship by investment: total costs

The real estate route is the most popular option under Türkiye’s citizenship by investment programme because it combines a clear legal threshold with a tangible asset that can be sold after the three-year holding period. To qualify, an investor must purchase one or more properties with a total value of at least $400,000 and recorded in the Land Registry.

The statutory threshold does not reflect the full budget. In practice, applicants should also account for transaction-related taxes, insurance, document fees, and various technical and utility-related charges. 

As a result, the total cost of obtaining Turkish citizenship through property purchase is usually higher than the headline investment amount.

Payment: costs of the property purchase option

Cost item	Amount	Notes
Minimal investment	$400,000+	Covers the main applicant, spouse, and children under 18
Booking deposit	$1,000—10,000	Usually paid to reserve the property and typically counted towards the purchase price
Property transfer tax, based on the cadastral value of the property	2%	Payable during the purchase process
VAT, depending on the property	1—18%	The rate depends on the type and characteristics of the property
Certified translator’s fee	$70	Usually required for documents and transaction formalities
Dask — earthquake insurance policy	$30—50	Mandatory for property ownership
İskan — technical occupancy certificate for new-build properties	$1,000—2,500	Applies to newly built properties
Utility meters, depending on the property	$100—1,000	The amount depends on the specific property
Utility connection fees for water, electricity, and gas	$100—1,000	May apply when connecting services
TAPU — Title deed certificate	$100—300	Payable as part of the title registration process

The list of required documents to apply for Turkish citizenship

To qualify for citizenship, an investor prepares a set of documents, which includes:

• application form;
• birth certificate;
• copy of the internal passport and the international passport;
• biometric photograph 50 × 60 mm;
• tax identification number in Türkiye;
• confirmation of having fulfilled the investment requirement;
• health insurance;
• police clearance certificate;
• power of attorney for a licensed lawyer;
• proof of financial solvency, such as bank statements, tax returns or income certificates;
• receipt for payment of the state fee for issuing a passport.

All documents must be translated into Turkish and notarised in Turkey. Most of them must also be apostilled or legalised by a consulate.

How to renew a Turkish passport by investment?

Turkish passports are issued for the period chosen and paid for at the time of application — 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, or more than 3 years. The same ordinary passport framework applies to both adults and children; for minors, the application is filed through a parent or legal representative, and consent documents may be required.

A passport obtained by investment is renewed in the same way as any other passport ^[64] Source: Passport services, NVI . 

In Türkiye, passport applications are made by appointment through the NVI system and submitted to the relevant population directorates. 

Outside Türkiye, applications are submitted in person at Turkish embassies or consulates. The official guidance also shows that passport services abroad are handled through the consular appointment platform.

For an ordinary Turkish passport, the standard documents listed by NVI include:

• Turkish ID card or temporary identity document;
• one biometric photo taken within the last six months. 

For minors or legally restricted applicants, consent documents may also be required.

If the applicant still has a valid old passport with an active visa, residence permit, or work permit inside it, NVI states that those pages are not cancelled. A person may need to travel with both the old passport and the new one until the visa or permit in the old passport expires.

Risks and Due Diligence for Türkiye citizenship by investment

Türkiye’s citizenship by investment route is well established, but it should not be treated as a purely transactional purchase. An investment is only one part of the process: the applicant must also pass the relevant administrative checks, obtain the required compliance documents, and clear the final review under Article 12 of Law No. 5901.

Approval is discretionary, not automatic

Turkish citizenship by investment is not granted automatically once the money is invested. The application is sent to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, an archive investigation is carried out, and only if that review is positive is the file sent onwards for the board’s decision. 

The law also states that applications of persons whose qualities constitute an obstacle with respect to national security and public order must be rejected.

Check the property itself, not just the marketing materials

In the real estate route, investors should verify that the asset is actually suitable for citizenship purposes before committing funds. Ownership is recognised only upon registration at the land registry, while preliminary contracts do not transfer title by themselves. Mortgages, liens, and similar restrictions should be checked before the land-registry process begins.

Nationality-based restrictions may apply to real estate acquisition, and foreigners may not acquire property in prohibited military zones or military security zones. Following the December 2023 amendment, agricultural real estate and unbuilt land parcels are no longer eligible for citizenship, and land-classified property must now include a structure.

Passportivity cooperates only with verified developers and real estate partners. We provide a property catalogue where investors can choose residential or commercial real estate that is suitable for Türkiye’s citizenship by investment programme.

Review family status and personal documents early

The investment application should also be checked for document quality, apostilles or legalisation where needed, translation issues, and family composition. 

A family application can become more complicated if a child is close to turning 18, if dependency is not documented clearly, or if civil-status documents contain inconsistencies across jurisdictions. These are all manageable issues, but they are much easier to solve before filing rather than after a file has moved into formal review.

Citizenship can be cancelled for misrepresentation

Under Article 31 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, a decision granting citizenship may be cancelled if the person acquired citizenship through misrepresentation or by hiding key issues that formed the basis of the acquisition.

Overstating the property value, concealing encumbrances, submitting incomplete source documents, or misdescribing family relationships can create not only a refusal risk at the application stage but also a longer-term status risk after citizenship has already been granted.

Latest changes to Türkiye citizenship by investment

Türkiye’s citizenship by investment programme is currently evolving in two directions at once: stricter compliance on the property side and faster administrative processing for applicants, rather than higher entry thresholds. 

The most notable recent developments include:

1. Transaction-security reform is being prepared for the real estate market. According to Anadolu Ajansı, citing information from the Ministry of Trade, Türkiye is preparing to make the Secure Payment System mandatory for property sales from 1 May 2026, with payment to be transferred simultaneously with the transfer of title.
2. Fast-track biometrics practice has also been reported in Istanbul. Industry sources report that, February 9th, 2026, qualifying citizenship-by-investment applicants in Istanbul may complete residence permit approval and citizenship filing on the same day through a priority biometrics process.

Overall, the latest direction of reform suggests that Türkiye is trying to make its citizenship by investment framework more controlled, more transparent, and more efficient in practice, especially for applicants using the real estate route.

Türkiye citizenship by investment vs other programs

Türkiye is often compared with two broad groups of investment migration programmes: Caribbean citizenship by investment options and newer African and Pacific routes. 

Compared with Caribbean programmes, Türkiye usually involves a higher investment threshold and a somewhat longer process, but it gives investors the opportunity to hold a tangible asset and potentially exit after the required holding period. 

Caribbean options are often chosen primarily for passport strength and travel freedom, while Türkiye is more often seen as a combination of citizenship, property ownership, and access to a large regional market.

When compared with newer programmes in Africa and the Pacific, Türkiye is not the cheapest route on the market. Lower-cost options may appeal to applicants focused mainly on speed or budget.

Comparison of citizenship by investment programmes

Country	Minimum investment	Processing time	Real estate purchase
Türkiye	$400,000	8+ months	Available
Antigua and Barbuda	$230,000	6+ months	Available
Dominica	$200,000	6+ months	Available
Grenada	$235,000	8+ months	Available
St Kitts and Nevis	$250,000	6+ months	Available
St Lucia	$240,000	6+ months	Not available
Vanuatu	$130,000	2+ months	Not available
El Salvador	$1 million in BTC or USDT	6+ months	Not available
Sierra Leone	$140,000	2+ months	Not available
São Tomé and Príncipe	$90,000	2+ months	Not available

Life in Türkiye

Living in Türkiye is not a requirement under the citizenship by investment programme. However, Türkiye can also be a comfortable place to live if relocation becomes part of the plan. 

Cost of living

The cost of living in Turkey is around 70% lower than in Germany and France. A single person spends on average about $660 a month on food and everyday needs, while a family of four spends from $2,400 ^[65] Source: Cost of living in Turkey, Numbeo .

Rental costs depend on the region and the property’s distance from the city centre. One-bedroom flats rent from $450 to 660 a month, and three-bedroom flats from $720 to 1,050. Utility bills for an 85 m² home are $67 a month on average.

The average purchase price of residential property in 2026 is about $1,600 per m². Compared with Europe, prices for everyday goods and services in Turkey are broadly similar, but the housing market is generally more affordable and offers a wider range of modern properties.

Safety

Türkiye ranked 57th out of 142 countries in the 2025 safety index ^[66] Source: Safety Index, Numbeo . In major cities and tourist destinations, the police patrol the streets regularly, which reduces the risk of serious crime, although petty theft still occurs from time to time.

Climate

Most regions of Turkey have hot summers and mild winters. In July and August, the average temperature is around +35 °C, and daytime temperatures often rise above +40 °C. On such days, even proximity to the sea does not provide much relief from the heat. It can be difficult to stay outdoors for long, so people tend to spend most of the day indoors with air conditioning.

The average winter temperature is about +10 °C, but sub-zero temperatures occur in some regions. The warmest weather is in Side, Antalya and Alanya. Snow falls in Cappadocia and along parts of the Black Sea coast.

Education

For families considering relocation, Türkiye is also home to well-regarded universities, including Koç University, which is ranked 323 in the QS World University Rankings 2026 ^[67] Source: QS rankings, TopUniversities .

Children attend public kindergartens from the ages of three to five, where they are prepared for school and learn Turkish, as well as the basics of writing and arithmetic.

Taxation

Personal income tax in Türkiye ranges from 15 to 40% and is levied on all income, regardless of its source. The maximum rate applies if an annual salary exceeds $73,000.

The tax rates are the same for employees, self-employed professionals and individual entrepreneurs. Self-employed persons may reduce their taxable base by deducting professional expenses such as office rent and advertising. Individual entrepreneurs additionally pay VAT and social security contributions.

Corporate income tax is paid by joint-stock companies, limited liability companies and partnerships. The standard rate is 25%, while for financial institutions, such as banks, it is 30%. Multinational companies are subject to a 15% minimum tax.

If a company is registered in Turkey, its worldwide income is included in the Turkish tax base. If it operates through a representative office or local partner, its tax liability is limited to the income generated in Türkiye.

Final thoughts on Türkiye citizenship by investment

1. Türkiye’s citizenship by investment programme starts from $400,000 under the real estate route. 
2. The minimum threshold covers the main applicant, a spouse, and children under 18.
3. The application process usually takes 8 months or more from the initial check to passport issuance. The Due Diligence stage alone typically lasts 3 to 4 months.
4. The investor must keep the qualifying investment for at least 3 years. In the property route, this requirement is recorded in the Land Registry as a restriction on resale.
5. The total budget is higher than the headline $400,000 investment threshold. Additional costs include a booking deposit of $1,000 to $10,000, a 2% property transfer tax, VAT of 1 to 18%, and other transaction-related expenses.