Turkish Citizenship
by Investment

01 / Legal framework

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Investment

Turkish citizenship by investment is a special route under Article 12 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 and Article 20 of its implementing regulation. The investment must meet the legal requirements. The responsible institution must confirm this before the authorities decide on citizenship. Making the required investment does not guarantee that the application will be approved.

Minimum qualifying property investment

USD 400,000

Restriction on sale

Three years

Other options include bank deposits, investment funds, government bonds, fixed capital, pension contributions and creating jobs.

Investment approval and citizenship approval are separate decisions. The institution responsible for the investment checks whether it meets the rules for that category. The citizenship authorities then examine the applicant and the application, including national security and public order checks. Under this route, citizenship is granted by a Presidential decision. The Turkish Citizenship Law sets out the legal basis.

Legal Istanbul advises and represents foreign investors in property purchases, investments, residence permits and citizenship applications. The work includes checking eligibility, reviewing documents, preparing applications and following official procedures. Other routes to Turkish citizenship have separate requirements.

02 / Legal services

Legal Advice and Representation

Legal Istanbul advises before and after an investment and while an application is under review. The work depends on the stage and available documents.

Buying a property and obtaining citizenship involve separate legal questions. A purchase may transfer ownership but fail to meet the citizenship rules. Equally, investment approval does not settle every issue about ownership, occupation or the seller's duties. The review therefore covers both the purchase itself and whether it can support the citizenship application.

The agreement with the firm defines the work and limits on advice. Building inspections, financial advice, tax returns and court cases may need separate arrangements. Any remaining problems are explained before the client decides how to proceed.

03 / Investment categories

Investment Options and Minimum Amounts

Article 20 of the implementing regulation provides several investment options. The minimum amount is only one requirement. Each option has its own rules about ownership, payment, how long the investment must be kept and official approval.

Source: Invest in Türkiye: investment categories. Currency conversion and official approval depend on the rules for the selected option.

Fixed capital and employment applications require a review of the business activity and the evidence requested by the responsible ministry. Setting up a company, buying shares or planning to hire staff does not automatically meet these requirements. Similarly, joining an ordinary pension plan is not enough unless the investment meets the rules for the approved funds.

An investment may meet the legal requirements but still carry financial risks. The investor should consider ownership duties, restrictions on accessing the money and possible losses. These are separate from the citizenship rules. Purchase costs and professional fees must also be budgeted for in addition to the minimum investment.

04 / Real estate

Property Requirements and Legal Checks

Legal due diligence means checking ownership, restrictions and legal status before buying. A developer's statement that a property qualifies for citizenship cannot replace these checks.

A separate citizenship review checks the property type, ownership history and current official requirements. TKGM guidance excludes shares in property bought after 1 February 2023. Changes effective from 12 December 2023 also exclude land without a building and agricultural property. The review must consider the buyer's nationality, limits on foreign ownership and whether the property has previously been used for citizenship. See TKGM's citizenship guidance.

Building Inspections and Earlier Purchases

An engineer's findings may affect advice about completing the purchase, the seller's promises or unfinished work.

For an earlier purchase, check the purchase date, title, payments and previous commitments together. Current market value alone does not prove eligibility. For multiple properties, review each property and the combined application. Our legal checklist for foreign property buyers explains further purchase checks.

For the details of a property purchase, see our guide to conditions for Turkish citizenship by real estate investment.

05 / Valuation

Property Valuation and the Accepted Investment Amount

The price recorded in the purchase documents and the payments must meet the minimum investment requirement. They must also be supported by the required valuation process. Agreeing a price with the seller does not, by itself, prove that the property qualifies for citizenship.

The TTB records the property investment amount accepted for citizenship. It is linked to the valuation report through the official electronic system. TKGM's valuation guidance and questions and answers explain how these records relate to the title deed transfer. Check current rules on authorised providers and submitting reports before arranging the valuation.

The review compares property details, purchase dates, prices, bank records and valuation documents. Explain any differences before using the documents. Informal estimates or reports prepared for another purpose may not meet citizenship requirements.

If the accepted amount is below the minimum, the next step depends on the reason and the contract terms. Changing the price on paper does not solve the problem. The review must establish whether the purchase can legally proceed, whether further information is needed and whether the buyer can cancel or recover a payment.

Contract terms about valuation, citizenship requirements and advance-payment refunds are especially important when money is paid before investment approval. A valuation has a specific purpose. It does not guarantee a future sale price, rental income or the property's physical condition.

06 / Transaction documents

Sales Contracts and Payment Records

A reservation agreement or privately signed sales contract does not transfer ownership by itself. A promise to sell and a registered title deed transfer have different legal effects. The documents should identify the property, buyer, seller, price, conditions for completing the purchase and what happens if either party breaks the agreement.

A notarised promise-of-sale agreement has separate citizenship requirements. These concern the property's registered status, the required advance payment and the commitment recorded at the land registry. This route is not the same as an ordinary reservation agreement. The conditions appear in TKGM's property and citizenship guidance.

Currency Conversion and Proof of Payment

DAB

The foreign-exchange purchase certificate, called a DAB, records the currency conversion.

Proof of payment

Bank-transfer records show that the purchase money was paid to the seller.

These records serve different purposes. One cannot replace the other. The currency conversion, names, account details and bank transfers must follow the rules for the purchase. TKGM's DAB guidance explains this distinction.

Payments through a representative, relative or another person need a review of the relationship and supporting records. The documents should show what each payment was for. Refunds, discounts, separate agreements and changes to the payment plan may affect the qualifying investment amount. They must not be ignored after the purchase is completed.

If a purchase does not qualify for citizenship, the right to a refund depends on the contract and the law. The buyer's citizenship plans do not automatically make the seller responsible. Our articles on property sales contracts and property payment records explain these related issues.

07 / Financial investments

Bank Deposits and Investment Funds

A bank deposit application requires more than opening an account and paying in the minimum amount. The account arrangements, payment records, commitment to keep the money and investment approval must follow the relevant rules. The bank's checks on its customer and the money are separate from the citizenship decision.

The legal review covers account documents, authority to act, withdrawal restrictions and the records needed for approval. Currency conversion, interest or other returns, and permitted account movements should be confirmed with the bank. An account used for citizenship may have different conditions from an ordinary deposit account.

The qualifying funds are real estate investment funds and venture capital investment funds. The Capital Markets Board requires records of the investor's units and a special account at the Central Registry Agency, MKK, that blocks the units for citizenship purposes. Currency conversion records and proof of who ultimately owns the investment are also relevant. See the SPK application procedure.

The fund agreement should be checked for transfer restrictions, conditions for taking money out and charges. It should also explain how the investor's rights relate to the commitment to keep the investment. Official supervision does not guarantee that the investor will recover the original amount or earn a return.

The investment's financial risks should be reviewed separately from the citizenship rules. Before withdrawing, transferring or changing an investment during the required holding period, check the contract terms and the possible effect on the citizenship commitment. Consider these points before giving instructions.

08 / Family members

Spouses, Children and Family Documents

The law covers the investor's spouse and the investor's or spouse's foreign children who are minors or dependants, subject to the relevant conditions. It does not give every relative the right to apply through the same investment. The official citizenship guide explains the family categories.

Review each family member's position. Documents depend on nationality, age, who the child's parents are, marital status and earlier marriages or divorces. Custody decisions, a parent's permission or proof of dependency may be needed. Financial support from a parent alone does not establish that an adult child qualifies.

Names, birth dates and family relationships must match across passports and official family records. Differences in spelling between languages, surname rules or document formats may require an explanation or an official correction. Translating a document does not remove a disagreement between the original records.

A child reaching adulthood, a marriage or a divorce may change the documents needed and the legal basis of the application. Check the family's circumstances at each relevant stage rather than relying only on information given before the investment.

09 / Documentation

Required Documents and Official Certification

Documents depend on the investment option and the applicant's circumstances. They must prove identity, family relationships and that the investment meets the rules. The table lists the main groups. The authority may request further evidence.

Documents Issued Outside Turkey

The certification process depends on the country, document and intended use. Where the Apostille Convention applies, an apostille replaces diplomatic or consular certification. An apostille is an official certificate used to confirm the origin of a public document. Other documents may need a different procedure. The Hague Conference's guidance explains the Convention's scope.

Certification and translation have separate purposes. An apostille does not correct an inaccurate birth or marriage record. A Turkish translation does not prove that an unchecked original is genuine. Certification pages and official corrections should stay attached to the document they concern.

Preparation should identify who will obtain each document, whether an original is needed and how long the authority will accept it as valid. A document accepted by a bank may not meet citizenship requirements. Keep a clear record of what was submitted and any further requests, especially where several institutions are involved.

10 / Procedure

Investment Approval, Residence and Citizenship Applications

Some documents can be prepared together, but each application stage has separate requirements. The order depends on the investment option and the applicant's circumstances.

1. Initial Review

   Check whether the applicant and investment qualify. Review family circumstances, missing documents and purchase issues that need to be resolved before proceeding.

2. Completing the Investment

   Complete the purchase or investment, collect payment and ownership records, and record the commitments required by the selected investment route.

3. Investment Approval and Residence

   Apply to the institution responsible for checking the investment and complete the investor residence procedure under Article 31(1)(j) of Law No. 6458.

4. Citizenship Review

   Submit the application and documents, complete required personal appointments, respond to further document requests and follow the authorities' checks.

5. Decision and Registration

   Review the decision. If approved, complete the population registration and the procedures for Turkish identity documents and passports.

The NVI citizenship guidance and Migration Management residence guidance cover separate legal procedures. The investment approval document, also called a certificate of conformity, confirms that the investment meets the relevant rules. It does not itself grant a residence permit or citizenship.

Timing depends on preparation, appointments and official checks. An estimate should explain the stage and what still needs to be done. Preparing the file and waiting for a decision take separate periods of time. The authority is not required to follow an estimate, so no completion date is guaranteed.

11 / Representation

Powers of Attorney and In-Person Appointments

Applicants can obtain advice and prepare documents outside Turkey. A power of attorney authorises another person to carry out specific actions. Its wording and certification must meet the requirements of the institution handling the case. Permission to buy property does not automatically include every banking or citizenship procedure.

The document should match the work the client has agreed to. Buying property, receiving or paying money, signing commitments and representing someone before an authority involve different powers. Review the wording before signing abroad, together with the rules for certification and translation.

Using a representative does not remove all requirements to attend personally. NVI states that applicants must attend in person where fingerprints are required. A representative may then submit further documents and complete certain other steps. Check the NVI application guidance when arranging appointments.

Before booking travel, confirm the procedure, which family members must attend and whether the documents are ready. Legal Istanbul can communicate in English, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, Russian and Chinese. Our power-of-attorney guide explains the legal issues involved in authorising someone to buy property on your behalf.

12 / Costs

Purchase Costs, Taxes and Legal Fees

The minimum investment is separate from the cost of buying the property or investment and completing the applications.

Check costs against the planned purchase and current fees. Applicant numbers, countries issuing documents, translation needs and the application stage affect the work. Written cost estimates should state which services and expenses are included and excluded.

The agreement with the firm should distinguish initial advice, purchase work, investment approval, residence applications and citizenship representation. It should explain how extra work and payments to other providers will be approved. A later dispute or court case may require a separate agreement and fee.

Citizenship plans do not decide which taxes apply. A property may meet the citizenship rules without qualifying for a VAT exemption. Owning, renting out or selling it may create other tax duties. Our VAT exemption article explains the separate conditions for certain foreign buyers. Check these before assuming that an exemption will reduce the purchase costs.

13 / Application issues

Application Delays, Missing Documents and Refusals

An application may be delayed by missing documents, investment checks or the citizenship review. First identify the authority holding the file, its latest action and any request that has not been answered. An online status message may not explain the actual legal issue or the documents still needed.

Reviewing a pending application requires its reference number, copies of submitted documents, official messages and the latest status information. If documents are missing or do not match, the response should address that specific problem. Simply sending the same papers again may not help. Our article on citizenship application delays explains these differences.

Reviewing a Refusal

A refusal is different from a request for more evidence. The reasons given and the date it was officially notified affect the available review or court options. The correct procedure and deadline depend on the decision itself. Making a new application should not be assumed to protect the right to challenge an earlier refusal.

If the problem concerns the purchase, the official application and any claim against the seller may need separate legal action. Not receiving citizenship does not automatically create a right to recover money from everyone involved. The contract, each party's duties and the facts must be reviewed.

When changing lawyers, the file should include the documents actually submitted, notices received, current powers of attorney and unfinished tasks. This helps the new lawyer assess the recorded position, rather than relying only on accounts of earlier discussions or promises.

14 / Continuing obligations

Keeping and Selling the Investment

Three-year investment commitment

Citizenship approval does not end the duty to keep the investment. Before selling, transferring or withdrawing it, check when the holding period starts and ends and how the restriction is removed. The passport issue date does not replace the investment records.

Separate tax review

The end of the citizenship holding period does not decide whether tax is due on a sale. The Revenue Administration explains that profit from certain property sales within five years of purchase may be taxable. The purchase date, exemptions and circumstances need a separate review under the capital-gains rules.

Removing the citizenship restriction does not remove other ownership or contract issues. Tenancies, mortgages and other duties may still affect the property. Keep the investment file, approval certificate, written commitments and evidence that any restriction was removed.

Completing the holding period does not correct false statements or legal problems in the original purchase. Advice about a later sale must separate the end of the holding commitment from any questions about whether the original application was accurate and lawful.

15 / Related legal issues

Existing Nationality and Other Citizenship Routes

The effect of obtaining Turkish citizenship must also be checked under the law of the applicant's current country of citizenship. Rules on dual citizenship, duties to report a new nationality and possible effects on public employment or other rights differ between countries. Family members with different nationalities may need different advice.

Advice on Turkish law does not replace advice on another country's law. Questions about keeping an existing nationality should be resolved before completing the investment. This is especially important where taking a second citizenship may have consequences that are difficult to reverse.

Citizenship, tax residency and permission to enter another country are separate matters. Turkish citizenship does not automatically decide where a person is tax resident or allow entry to a third country. Visa applications remain subject to that country's rules.

Investment is not the only route to Turkish citizenship. Routes based on parents, marriage or ordinary naturalisation have different requirements. Naturalisation means becoming a citizen through an application under the law. Marriage to a Turkish citizen does not itself grant citizenship. The initial review should consider any relevant alternative before assuming that an investment is needed.

16 / FAQ

Questions About Requirements and Applications