Navigating High-Value Real Estate Investment for Citizenship Planning in Istanbul
<p>This case study is based on a real SimplyTR client. Certain personal and transaction details have been withheld or adjusted to protect the client’s privacy.</p>
The Investment Objective: Portfolio Diversification and Long-Term Security
A high-net-worth investor from Saudi Arabia approached SimplyTR with the goal of expanding his regional real estate portfolio while also obtaining Turkish citizenship for himself and his family through investment.
His main priorities were to acquire a strong long-term asset, secure a second citizenship, and have a high-quality residence in Istanbul that the family could use during their stays in Turkey.
After reviewing different investment options, Istanbul was selected as the main market because of its international connections, large real estate market, lifestyle options, and long-term investment potential.
Strategic Planning and District Selection
The first stage of the process focused on finding properties that satisfied the legal requirements for Turkish Citizenship by Investment while also making sense as real estate investments.
SimplyTR reviewed several projects and districts based on the investor's budget, family needs, resale potential, rental demand, project quality, and eligibility for citizenship.
- Bosphorus and Central Istanbul: Properties in areas such as Sarıyer and Beşiktaş were reviewed because of their location, limited supply, and strong long-term demand.
- Modern Residential Projects: New developments in areas such as Zeytinburnu and Basın Ekspres were also reviewed because of their facilities, newer buildings, easier management, and stronger rental options.
The investor wanted a spacious family residence, but the property also had to meet all citizenship requirements. For this reason, the legal status of each property, official valuation, seller history, and citizenship eligibility were checked before any final decision was made.
The Advisory Process and Legal Checks
After the investor selected the preferred property, SimplyTR started the legal and technical review process before the purchase was completed.
1. Title Deed (TAPU) Verification
The title deed records were checked to confirm the legal owner of the property and to identify any mortgages, liens, restrictions, annotations, or other legal issues that could affect the sale or citizenship application.
The property was also checked to confirm that it had not previously been used in another citizenship application and that the transaction complied with the rules applicable to foreign investors.
2. GEDAŞ Valuation Report
As part of the citizenship process, the property valuation was completed through GEDAŞ, the government-authorized company responsible for real estate valuations used in Turkish citizenship applications.
The valuation was checked against the purchase price and the minimum investment requirement to make sure the property qualified for the citizenship application before the title deed transfer was completed.
3. Payment and Foreign Exchange Process
The investor transferred the purchase funds through official banking channels. The required foreign exchange procedures were completed and the relevant Foreign Exchange Purchase Certificate (Döviz Alım Belgesi / DAB) was obtained.
SimplyTR coordinated the payment records, bank documents, valuation documents, and title deed process so that the transaction file was consistent with citizenship requirements.
4. Title Deed Transfer and Three-Year Restriction
Once all checks were completed, the title deed transfer was carried out at the Land Registry Office.
During the transfer, the required three-year no-sale restriction was registered on the property for the Turkish Citizenship by Investment application.
5. Certificate of Conformity and Citizenship Application
Following the title deed transfer, the required documents were submitted for the Certificate of Conformity confirming that the real estate investment met the conditions of the citizenship program.
After the conformity process was completed, SimplyTR prepared and coordinated the investor's citizenship application together with the required family documents.
Outcome
The Saudi investor successfully completed the purchase of a premium residential property in Istanbul and registered the required three-year restriction on the title deed.
The GEDAŞ valuation, banking records, DAB documents, title deed records, and other supporting documents were completed as part of the citizenship file.
Following the completion of the real estate stage, the investor and eligible family members proceeded with their Turkish citizenship applications.
The transaction allowed the client to achieve two main goals at the same time: acquiring a valuable real estate asset in Istanbul and completing a qualifying investment for Turkish citizenship.
SimplyTR's Role
SimplyTR managed the process from property selection through legal checks, GEDAŞ valuation, banking procedures, title deed transfer, Certificate of Conformity preparation, and citizenship application coordination.
The focus throughout the case was not only on meeting the minimum citizenship requirements, but also on selecting a property with strong resale potential, rental demand, and long-term value.
Important Note
Turkish Citizenship by Investment rules, procedures, required documents, and government practices may change. Each application must therefore be reviewed according to the rules in force at the time of the transaction and the personal circumstances of the applicant.