Turkey

Citizenship by Investment

Turkey's Citizenship by Investment program allows foreign nationals to acquire Turkish citizenship through qualifying financial investments, bypassing the standard five-year residency requirement. Governed by the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 (Article 12) and the Regulation on its Implementation (Article 20), the program is administered jointly by the Presidency of Migration Management (for residence permits) and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs (for citizenship applications), with the final decision made by the President of the Republic. The Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries.

Seven qualifying investment pathways are available:

• Real estate purchase: Minimum USD 400,000 with a 3-year resale restriction annotated on the title deed. Multiple properties may be combined to meet the threshold. An SPK-approved appraisal report is required, and funds must be transferred through the Turkish banking system.
• Bank deposit: Minimum USD 500,000 with a 3-year non-withdrawal commitment.
• Government bonds: Minimum USD 500,000 held for at least 3 years.
• Real estate or venture capital fund shares: Minimum USD 500,000 held for at least 3 years.
• Fixed capital investment: Minimum USD 500,000, attested by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
• Job creation: Employment of at least 50 people, attested by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
• Private pension contribution: Minimum USD 500,000 maintained in the system for at least 3 years.

• Minimum age 18 for the main applicant
• No educational or professional qualifications required
• Must pass security screening and criminal background checks
• Investment must be a genuine, arm's-length transaction at fair market value
• Real estate must be purchased from Turkish citizens or Turkish legal entities
• A conformity certificate from the relevant government body is required for each investment type

• Valid passport (must cover the duration of the residence permit)
• Biometric photographs
• Proof of qualifying investment (title deed, bank certificate, fund share certificate, or ministry attestation)
• SPK-approved real estate appraisal report and currency exchange document (for property purchases)
• Criminal record certificate from country of citizenship and from Turkey
• Health insurance valid in Turkey
• Residence permit application form
• Power of attorney (if applicable)

The investor residence permit is granted for up to 5 years under Article 31(j) of the Foreigners and International Protection Law. Citizenship, once granted by presidential decision, is permanent. The residence permit can be renewed if the citizenship decision is still pending, by applying up to 60 days before expiry. The typical processing timeline is 1 to 10 business days for the residence permit (at special offices in Istanbul and Ankara) and 3 to 6 months for the citizenship decision.

The main applicant's spouse and children under 18 may be included in the citizenship application at no additional investment requirement. Disabled children of any age who are dependent on the main applicant are also eligible. Since 2024, spouses must obtain their own residence permits and submit criminal record certificates. Adult children who are not disabled must apply separately. All included family members receive the same citizenship rights upon approval.

Turkey taxes residents on worldwide income. Tax residency is established by residing in Turkey for more than 183 days in a calendar year; non-residents are taxed only on Turkey-sourced income. Turkey has over 85 double taxation avoidance agreements. There is no wealth tax. Capital gains on real estate held for more than 5 years are exempt from income tax. Real estate investors must pay annual property tax to the local municipality and maintain mandatory earthquake insurance (DASK).

1. Complete the investment -- Select a qualifying category and execute the investment (purchase property, deposit funds, acquire fund shares, etc.).
2. Obtain a conformity certificate -- The relevant ministry or regulatory body verifies that the investment meets the threshold and issues a certificate.
3. Apply for investor residence permit -- Submit an online application via e-ikamet.goc.gov.tr and attend an in-person biometric appointment at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
4. File citizenship application -- Upon receiving the residence permit, submit a citizenship application through the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
5. Security screening and review -- The application undergoes background verification by Turkish intelligence and security services.
6. Presidential decision -- The President of the Republic issues the final decision granting or denying citizenship.

Physical presence in Turkey is mandatory for biometric collection (fingerprinting) for both the residence permit and citizenship stages. Meeting the investment threshold does not guarantee citizenship -- the final decision is discretionary.

• The 3-year holding period for real estate begins from the date the resale restriction annotation is registered on the title deed. Selling property within this period results in rejection of the citizenship application.
• There is no continuous residence requirement for citizenship by investment, unlike the standard naturalization route which requires 5 years of continuous residence.
• Male citizens aged 20 to 41 acquire military service obligations upon receiving Turkish citizenship, though exemption through payment is available.
• Citizens of certain countries may face additional scrutiny or restrictions regarding property ownership based on reciprocity agreements.

Links

• https://www.invest.gov.tr/en/investmentguide/pages/acquiring-property-and-citizenship.aspx
• https://en.goc.gov.tr/residence-permit-types
• https://www.nvi.gov.tr/turk-vatandasliginin-kazanilmasi

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