Turkey Citizenship And Residence Permit By Investment
Turkey has become one of the most popular destinations for foreigners looking to gain citizenship or residency through investment. The country offers several attractive programs that allow investors to obtain Turkish citizenship or a residence permit in exchange for buying real estate or making other investments in Turkey.
How to Get Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Turkey’s citizenship by investment program grants full citizenship to those who invest a minimum of $400,000 in real estate. The process is quick and straightforward, allowing successful applicants to obtain a Turkish passport in as little as 3-6 months.
To qualify for citizenship under this program, you must:
- Purchase property worth at least $400,000. This can be a single property or multiple properties totaling the minimum amount.
- Commit to holding the real estate for at least 3 years with no sale or transfer.
- Provide documentation verifying the source of investment funds. This includes bank account statements and references.
- Pass security and background checks. All applicants undergo a due diligence process.
- Cover application fees. Plan for legal and administrative costs during the application process.
Once granted, Turkish citizenship allows you to live, work, or study anywhere in Turkey. It also gives you visa-free access to over 110 countries. As a Turkish citizen, you can easily apply for U.S. E-2 investor visas.
The entire family of the main applicant – including spouse and dependent children below 18 – can also gain Turkish citizenship. The process only takes 3-6 months from start to approval.
Benefits of Turkey Citizenship
Gaining Turkey citizenship through investment comes with many benefits:
- Visa-free travel – Turkish passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to more than 100 countries, including Japan, Brazil, South Korea, and more. Click here to see the full list of countries you can travel to without a visa.
- Dual citizenship allowed – Turkey permits dual citizenship, so investors do not need to renounce their current nationalities.
- Passport-free travel – Turkish citizens can travel to Northern Cyprus, Georgia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, and soon Bosnia and Herzegovina with only an ID card.
- Passport for life – Turkish citizenship does not need to be renewed and is valid for life.
- Low physical presence required – Investors only need to stay in Turkey for 2-5 days in the first 5 years after naturalization.
- No language test – Turkey has no Turkish language requirements for citizenship applicants.
- Access to top schools – You can enroll children in Turkey’s high-quality education system and universities.
- Strong passport – Turkey ranked 54th out of 199 countries in the 2022 Passport Index, higher than China and Mexico.
- High quality of life – Turkey is a modern, developed country and offers an affordable cost of living in cities such as Istanbul, Antalya, and Izmir.
Real Estate Options for Citizenship
To qualify for Turkish citizenship through a real estate purchase, you can buy:
- A property worth $400,000 from a single title deed.
- Multiple properties totaling $400,000 from different title deeds.
The property can be residential or commercial. There are no restrictions on the type or location of real estate within Turkey. Popular investment options include:
- Istanbul, Antalya, and İzmir apartments – Buy affordable properties in Turkey’s largest city.
- Villas in coastal regions – Invest in vacation homes in resorts like Bodrum, Antalya, and Fethiye.
- New development off-plan properties – Purchase property in new hotels, villas, or condo complexes.
- Commercial real estate – Invest in offices, shops, warehouses, or other commercial assets.
- Land – Buy vacant land for development, rent, or simply as an investment asset.
When choosing real estate for citizenship, work with an experienced agent. They can guide you in selecting the property that aligns with your goals and meets the qualifying criteria. Carefully review title deeds, sales contracts, and verification documents.
Ways to Obtain Citizenship Through Investment In Turkey
The main options for obtaining citizenship by investment in Turkey are:
1. Real Estate Investment
- Buying a property worth at least $400,000. You can also buy several properties totaling $400,000
- A rule is put in the land registry that it cannot be sold for at least 3 years
2. Fixed Capital Investment
- Invest at least $500,000 in fixed capital assets of a Turkish company.
- Assets can include property, machinery, trademarks, equity, or government bonds.
3. Government Bonds
- Purchase at least $500,000 in Turkish government bonds.
- Bonds must be held for three years with no early liquidation
4. Employment Creation
- Create jobs for at least 50 employees in Turkey.
- The company must generate an annual income of at least $500,000
Turkey Permanent Residence Permit
In addition to citizenship, foreign investors can also apply for a Turkish residence permit. This grants the right to stay and reside in Turkey indefinitely through a renewable permit.
The main options for getting residency by investment in Turkey are:
Real Estate Investment
- To obtain a short-term (2 years) residence permit for yourself and your family, you need to invest at least $200,000 in real estate in Turkey.
- The permit is conditional on keeping ownership of the property for the entire duration.
Short-term residence permits are usually issued for a maximum of two years. However, foreigners who wish to invest in Turkey in an amount and scope determined by the Council of Ministers, together with their spouses and children, may be granted a short-term residence permit for five years.
Requirements for Turkey Citizenship & Residency
Meeting the investment thresholds is the first step for Turkish citizenship or residency. Applicants must also satisfy other requirements:
- Clean criminal record – You must provide a background check from your country of residence. Any criminal convictions may disqualify you.
- Valid passport – Your passport must have at least 60 days of validity remaining in the application process.
- Application documents – Compile and submit all required paperwork, including investment verification, bank statements, passport copies, photos, application forms, etc.
- Financial sufficiency – Documents verifying your source of funds and financial standing are required.
- No visa overstays – Any history of staying in Turkey beyond visa limits may affect eligibility.
It is highly advisable to hire a professional consultancy firm to assist with the entire application process. They will ensure you select qualifying investments, gather documents correctly, complete all paperwork, and avoid mistakes that could lead to denial. Legal fees for consultancy services often range from $15,000 to $25,000.
Turkey Citizenship & Residency Application Process
Here is an overview of the standard process for obtaining Turkish citizenship or residency by investment:
- Choose qualifying investment – Select real estate or other investment options that meet minimum capital requirements.
- Gather documents & apply – Work with lawyers to prepare and submit all required paperwork and documents.
- Due diligence review – Turkish authorities will vet and verify the source of funds and background of applicants.
- Make payment & transfer investment – Process payment of fees and transfer investment funds into approved Turkish assets.
- Biometrics & medical check – Provide fingerprints, and photographs, and complete a medical exam by an approved facility.
- Approval – If approved after the security review, due diligence, and background checks, the passport or residence permit will be issued.
- Receive passport or permit – The Turkish consulate in your country will issue your citizenship certificate or residence permit after approval.
The citizenship application process usually takes 3-6 months from start to completion. Residency permits can also be obtained within 2-3 months in most cases. Having an experienced attorney to represent you helps expedite the processing and approval time.
Costs for Turkey Citizenship & Residency
Here are the typical costs involved:
- Minimum real estate investment – $400,000 for citizenship, $200,000 for residency.
- Other investment minimums – $500,000 for fixed capital or bank deposit, $500,000 revenue & 50 employees for residency by employment.
- Application fees – Residence permit or citizenship application fees for the applicant and other family members
- Legal & consultancy – Lawyer consultancy fees
Property purchase costs – You will need to pay real estate registration fees, taxes, inspections, and other costs on the property purchase.
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