Turkish citizenship by property investment provides a legal way for foreign nationals and their immediate family to acquire Turkish nationality. Since 2022, Turkey has allowed qualifying investors to acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate valued at USD 400,000 or more, subject to adhering to a three-year no-sale term and meeting specific legal requirements.
At Burcu Yilmaz Sayilgan Law Firm, we provide legal guidance and assistance to ensure you understand the correct legal framework, submit the necessary documentation, and adhere to the official application process.
In this article, we address some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) relating to Turkish citizenship by property investment and outline the requirements and process of the Turkish citizenship by real estate programme.
FAQS: TURKISH CITIZENSHIP BY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT
Burcu Yilmaz is an English-speaking lawyer in Turkey who specialises in Turkish citizenship by property investment applications. Please find below the answers to the questions that Burcu and her team are frequently asked on the subject:
1 What is the minimum spend on property required to qualify for a Turkish citizenship application?
A minimum investment of USD 400,000 in real estate in Turkey is required to qualify for the citizenship-by-investment programme. The property must then be kept (not sold) for a period of at least three years.
2 How long does the process of obtaining Turkish citizenship through real estate investment take?
The application process takes approximately 6 months following the initial submission of paperwork.
3 What documents are required to apply for citizenship by property investment in Turkey?
- Birth certificates of all applicants
- Criminal record reports for all adults applying (dated within the last six months)
- Passports and passport translations
- Biometric photographs for each applicant
- Proof of private health insurance in Turkey
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Residency permit
- Certificate of conformity for the property purchased
- Relevant receipts for application fees
- Power of attorney (if appointed)
Note: The documents submitted must be original. Those written in your native language must be apostilled and then translated into Turkish before submission.
4 What are the benefits of having Turkish citizenship?
- Visa-free and visa-on-arrival travel to 100+ countries
- Eligibility to apply for Schengen, US, and UK visas
- Potential access to the US E-2 Investor Visa
- Full rights to live, work and study in Turkey for you, your spouse and your children under 18 years of age.
- Ability to pass Turkish citizenship on to future generations
5 What is the cost of applying for Turkish citizenship through property purchase?
Several costs are involved in the process in addition to the minimum of USD 400,000 spent on the property (please contact us for a full rundown of up-to-date costings). The costs incurred include:
- Property purchase tax
- Döner sermaye (fixed fee for property registration)
- Property Valuation Report
- Health Insurance: The cost depends on age and health condition
- Residency Permit Fees inc. the book, photos, entrance fee, and tax for a year
- Translation and Notary Fees
- Turkish Identity and Passport Insurance
- Attorney Fees
6 Will the value of my property investment increase over the three-year holding period?
You can never guarantee a rise in property value. However, Turkey’s real estate market is buoyant, and real estate in key cities and coastal resorts, such as Fethiye, has historically appreciated in value over time, meaning it is possible for the property purchased to gain value during the three-year no-sale period.
7 Can the property purchased be rented out during the three-year no-sale term?
Yes, you are allowed to rent the property purchased out on a long-term or short-term basis during the three-year holding period.
8 Are there alternative ways to secure Turkish citizenship by investment?
Aside from investing in property in Turkey to secure citizenship, other investment routes to Turkish nationality include:
- Turkish citizenship by bank deposit.
- Turkish citizenship via government bonds or investment funds.
- Turkish nationality via fixed capital investment.
Note: All routes above require a minimum investment of USD 500,000, which is held for a period of three years.
9 Can my family be included in my Turkish citizenship by investment application?
Yes, you can include your spouse and children under 18 years of age. All other adult children and relatives must apply separately.
10 Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
Yes, you can have dual citizenship in Turkey. You can still retain your original nationality, in addition to being a Turkish national.
Get in Touch!
If you would like more information on applying for Turkish citizenship by property investment or the other legal services we provide in Fethiye, Kalkan, Kas, Gocek, Bodrum, and throughout Mugla Province, please contact Burcu Yilmaz Sayilgan Law Firm on +90 533 392 6556 or visit our website at https://burcuyilmaz.av.tr/ .
FURTHER READING
Citizenship by Investment in Turkey: A Pathway to Turkish Citizenship
Citizenship by Bank Deposit in Turkey
Turkish citizenship by investment in Bodrum
Disclaimer: Whilst we endeavour to keep the articles on our website up to date, laws, regulations, and costs in Turkey are subject to change. The information provided in this article is correct as of September 2025.
