Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 10 Easy Steps | Procedures, Fees, Lawyers
Learn how to obtain Turkish citizenship by investing in real estate or capital. Explore requirements, costs, and step-by-step guidance for 2025.
Foreigners can get Turkish citizenship in 6 to 12 months by buying property worth at least $400,000. This law has been in effect since 2018 and includes spouses and children under 18.
To qualify, the property must not be sold for 3 years. The minimum investment amount was lowered from $1 million to $400,000 to attract more buyers and support the Turkish economy.
As a result, property sales to foreigners have increased every year. The process is now much simpler and faster.
How to get Turkish citizenship by investment?
| Investment Type | Minimum Amount | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | $400,000 | Purchase property and hold it for at least 3 years |
| Bank Deposit | $500,000 | Deposit in a Turkish bank for a minimum of 3 years |
| Government Bonds | $500,000 | Buy and hold government bonds for at least 3 years |
| Job-Creating Business | — | Establish a company that employs at least 50 Turkish citizens |
| Fixed Capital Investment | $500,000 | Approved by Ministry of Industry and Technology |
| Real Estate/Venture Capital Fund | $500,000 | Invest and hold fund shares for at least 3 years |
Requirements for Turkish Citizenship by Investment
To be eligible for Turkish citizenship by investment, applicants must meet several core requirements. We’ve summarized the key criteria below:
- Minimum Investment: Make a qualifying investment, most commonly through purchasing real estate valued at at least US$400,000.
- 3-Year Holding Period: The property or investment must not be sold for a minimum of three years after the purchase.
- Eligible Nationalities: Citizens of most countries are eligible. However, nationals of Armenia, Cuba, North Korea, and Syria may face application restrictions under Turkish law.
- Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must have a clean background and must not pose a threat to Turkey’s national security or public order. A background check is mandatory.
- Official Valuation & Permit: The investment must be officially valued by a government-approved appraiser, and the applicant must first obtain a short-term residence permit.
Additionally, the main applicant’s spouse and all children under the age of 18 can be included in the same application and receive citizenship.
Average Residential Property Prices in Turkey (Feb 2025)
| City | Avg price/m² (city centre) | Avg price/m² (suburbs/outside centre) |
|---|---|---|
| Istanbul | US$ 1,501 | US$ 1,151 |
| İzmir | US$ 1,218 | US$ 950 |
| Antalya | US$ 1,197 | US$ 950 |
| Ankara | US$ 798 | US$ 650 |
| National avg. | US$ 939 | US$ 780 |
Rental Yields (Urban Averages): Istanbul: ~7.3% gross yield, Ankara: ~8.3% gross yield, İzmir: ~7.1% gross yield, Antalya: ~5.7% gross yield
Program Expenses for Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment
| Expense Item | Estimated Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government processing (per person) | US$ 20 | Includes application and residency paperwork. |
| Title deed transfer fee – new property | ≈ US$ 8,000 | 4% of investment amount—Half buyer, half seller |
| Notary & translation services | US$ 1,200 | Needed for non-Turkish speakers. |
| Lawyer / legal fees | US$ 2,000 – 5000 | Common range. |
| Appraisal & valuation report | US$ 350 | Often required for the citizenship application. |
| Earthquake insurance (DASK) | US$ 150 annual | One-year premium; renewable yearly. |
| Total | ≈ US$ 13,500 | Based on the expenses above. |
Explanation of Key Items
- Government processing: Covers administrative and biometric services costs per applicant.
- Notary & translation: Foreign buyers typically spend US$ 1,200-1500 covering both notary certification and document translation.
- Legal advice: While not mandatory, legal guidance is highly recommended for a smooth transaction.
- Valuation report: Estimated value between US$ 250–450 depending on provider .
- Earthquake insurance: Legally required in Turkey; averages US$ 150 for the first year
Step-by-Step Turkish Citizenship by Investment Process
Understanding the Certificate of Conformity
A crucial step in the process is securing the Certificate of Conformity from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. This confirms your investment meets the legal requirements.
Key Requirements:
- Minimum Investment: A real estate purchase valued at a minimum of $400,000 USD (or its equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira).
- Title Deed Lock: An annotation must be placed on the title registry stating the property cannot be sold for at least three years.
- Official Valuation: The property’s value must be verified by a licensed appraiser approved by the Capital Market Board. This valuation report must be issued no more than three months before the application date.
Turkish Citizenship Lawyers
We help investors and their families get Turkish citizenship through real estate purchases. Our team handles the entire process — from property selection to passport delivery.
With over 100 approved cases, we’ve worked with clients from countries like Iran, Jordan, Pakistan, China, USA and more. We prepare all legal documents, secure the investment compliance certificate, and file both residence and citizenship applications.
Most cases are approved in 6–8 months. One of our recent clients got citizenship in just 85 days.
Once your citizenship application approved, you can apply for your ID and passport at your local Turkish Embassy. Prefer to be here? Our English-speaking lawyers will assist you in person in Istanbul.
Our Turkish Citizenship by Investment Services
We offer a complete, end-to-end service to guide you through every stage of your Turkish citizenship journey. Our services are divided into three main categories: Real Estate Acquisition, Citizenship Application, and ongoing Property Management.
1. Real Estate Purchase & Legal Support
Our primary goal is to ensure your real estate investment is secure, compliant, and seamless.
- Initial Consultation: We start by discussing your goals, concerns, and specific requirements.
- Contract Management: We will draft, review, and negotiate the purchase contract with the developer on your behalf.
- Due Diligence: We conduct a thorough investigation to protect your investment:
- Verifying the developer has all necessary municipal licenses.
- Ensuring the property title is clean, with no outstanding debts or rental claims.
- Confirming all real estate tax payments are up to date.
- Title Deed Transfer: We accompany you to the Title Deed Office for the final signature and manage the title change in the Cadastral office.
- Tax Processing: We handle the payment of stamp duty tax on your behalf.
2. Turkish Citizenship Application
Once your investment is complete, our expert lawyers will manage your entire citizenship application process.
- Application Preparation: We meticulously prepare all residency and citizenship documents for you and your family.
- Official Submissions: We manage critical steps like applying for your Turkish Tax ID number and assisting you in opening a Turkish bank account.
- Full Application Monitoring: We proactively follow up on your application status until your Turkish passports are successfully issued.
3. Property Management (Optional Services)
After your purchase, we can continue to manage your asset for an additional fee, providing you with peace of mind.
- Rental Management: We can list your property, draft lease agreements, and ensure timely rent collection from tenants.
- Tenant & Legal Issues: We issue warning letters for late payments and can initiate legal eviction proceedings if necessary.
- Administrative Tasks: We register your property for annual taxes (Environmental and Garbage Collection Tax) and monitor the payment of monthly dues by tenants.
FAQ for Turkish Citizenship
1. How much do you have to invest in Turkey to get citizenship?
You need to invest at least $400,000 in real estate.
2. Can I get citizenship if I buy a house in Turkey?
Yes, if the house is worth at least $400,000 and not sold for 3 years.
3. What is the easiest way to get citizenship in Turkey?
Buying real estate worth $400,000 is the easiest way.
5. Is Turkish citizenship worth it?
Yes, it gives access to many countries and full rights in Turkey.
6. How long does it take to get citizenship in Turkey by investment?
Usually 7 to 9 months.
7. Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
Yes.
9. Is it worth buying property in Turkey?
Yes, prices are attractive and value may increase.
17. Is it safe to invest in Turkey?
Yes, if you work with legal professionals.
19. Can a foreigner buy land in Turkey?
Yes, with some location restrictions.
21. How easy is it to immigrate to Turkey?
It’s fairly easy through investment or work.
22. Is Turkey a good place to live?
Yes, with good climate, culture, and cost of living.
23. Can you give up Turkish citizenship?
Yes.
26. How can I get Turkish citizenship?
- by investments from $400,000;
- through marriage;
- by birth, if at least one parent is Turkish;
- through employment after five years of work;
- through naturalization after five years of living in Turkey;
- for special merits and outstanding achievements.
27. How long does it take to get Turkish citizenship after applying?
The process is completed within an estimated minimum of 6 months and a maximum of 9-12 months. Exceptions can of course be made.
28. What are the minimum requirements for applications with bank deposit?
- Depositing 500.000 USD in the bank.
- Making a commitment that the deposited money will be kept in the bank account for at least 3 years
- The investment made is approved by the BDDK
29. What is the required documents for Turkish Citizenship?
- Preliminary examination form (a standard form VAT-4)
- Notarized Turkish translation of the passport
- Identity registry copy of the applicant
- Birth Certificate of the applicant
- Marital Status Certificate/Document
- Criminal Record
- Valid residence permit obtained through the process above outlined
- Receipt slip for the application service charges made
- If the applicant is divorced; Divorce Certificate/Decree
- If the applicant is married; Marriage Certificate
- If the applicant is widow; Death Certificate regarding his/her spouse
30. Do I have to travel to Turkey to start Turkish Citizenship procedures?
With the recent changes, you need to visit Turkey once to have your fingerprints taken for the application of the investor residence permit.
31. Do you offer Approved Properties for Turkish Citizenship?
Yes. Simply TR Partnered with more than 700 real estate project in Turkiye.
32. If the applicant is investing in two or more separate properties, will he / she be eligible to apply for citizenship?
The Turkey Citizenship by Investment program allows large investors / applicants to invest in multiple properties / units, as long as the total value is more than $ 400k USD, you can proceed with the ownership multiple properties.
33. For property option, is any property valued above $400K eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship? Or are there only specific real estate projects that are approved and eligible?
To apply for Turkish citizenship through property investment, there are certain prerequisites your property must fulfill. Firstly, it must have a verified valuation report and a proper building license.
Additionally, it’s important to note that the property cannot have been previously used in another citizenship application. If the property is second-hand, it should not have been under foreign ownership within the last three years. These conditions are vital to ensure your property investment is eligible for Turkish citizenship application.
34. In Bank Deposit Option, can I earn interest on the deposited amounts?
Yes, it is possible to earn regular interest on the deposited amounts.
35. Do the applicants have to reside in Turkey for a certain period of time at any stage of the application?
No, there is no residency requirement in Turkey both during the application process or after obtaining Turkish citizenship. You can keep living abroad after acquiring Turkey citizenship.
36. Do I need to learn Turkish to obtain Citizenship?
There is no Turkish language requirement to apply for Turkey citizenship by investment program.
37. How many times will the applicants need to travel to Turkey at some point of the whole application process?
During the citizenship application process, it is sufficient to visit Turkey once to provide your fingerprints.
39. How many family members can apply for citizenship along with the Main Applicant?
You can get Turkish citizenship for yourself, your spouse, and children under 18.
Children over 18 and parents are not included and must apply separately or get a residence permit instead.
40. How much is purchasing property tax in Turkey?
%4 of the Sales Price of the property. Basically the tax for $400.000 property is $16.000. (Check: Property Purchase Costs Turkey: Easy 2025 Guide)
41. Can a Pakistani Get Turkish citizenship?
Pakistani citizens can easily obtain Turkish Citizenships by investing in Turkey. Pakistanis proceed mosty with the property investment option to apply for Turkey citizenship program in which it is essential to make a property investment in Turkey minimum worth $400,000 USD.
42. How can Iranian persons obtain Turkish citizenship by investment?
Iranian people can benefit from Turkish Citizenship by Investment program.
43. How can Indians become Turkish citizens with investment?
Yes. We have successfully advised several Indian Clients who have already obtained Turkish Citizenships.
44. What is the benefits of Turkish Citizenship?
- A lifetime Turkey citizenship granted in 9-12 months.
- No minimum residency in Turkey required.
- Full medical assistance included.
- Pension programs are available.
- Free education and university reimbursement plans.
- Turkey Passport allows visa free travel to more than 110 countries.
- Future access without visa to EU and Schengen countries.
- A solid investment with rental returns.
45. Can a Palestinian Get Turkish nationality?
Palestinian people can benefit from Turkish Citizenship by Investment program.
46. Can Chinese people obtain Turkish citizenship by investment?
Yes. We have successfully advised several Chinese Clients who have already obtained Turkish Citizenships. It is sufficient to meet one of the investment requirements for Chinese citizens to get Turkish Citizenship. It should be noted that the required documentation and the attestation of the documents will have to be evaluated carefully for Chinese as these are subject to a different procedure, prior submitting new Turkish citizenship applications.
Contact us if you need Turkish Citizenship Lawyers
With investment law, Simply TR is a solution-oriented law firm that empowers clients to meet the diverse and changing demands of today’s citizenship. Our attorneys have been assisting clients with complex legal challenges and maximizing opportunities for success. In Istanbul, Turkey, our law firm is now one of the leading Turkish Citizenship law firms. You can get in touch with us for Turkish Citizenship Lawyers in Turkey via our Contact page or text us from 00905316234006. (Click go to the link)
