The Republic of Turkey offers foreign investors a direct and expedited legal path to acquire Turkish Citizenship by meeting specific investment thresholds. Regulated under the Implementing Regulation of the Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901, this program provides a secure option for international investors and their families.

1. Investment Methods and Limits

Foreign investors can choose from the following qualifying options to obtain citizenship for themselves, their spouse, and children under the age of 18:

  • Real Estate Acquisition: Purchasing real estate worth at least 400,000 USD (or equivalent foreign currency) and placing a 3-year restriction on sale in the land registry (tapu şerhi).
  • Bank Deposit: Depositing at least 500,000 USD in Turkish banks with a commitment to keep the funds active for 3 years.
  • Capital Investment: Investing at least 500,000 USD in fixed capital assets, verified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
  • Job Creation: Creating active employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens, verified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.

2. The Step-by-Step Application Process

Achieving citizenship without delay requires complete and correct preparation of legal files. The process involves four main steps:

  1. Obtaining the Certificate of Conformity: The transaction is reviewed by the relevant authority to issue the Uygunluk Belgesi, verifying the investment meets statutory requirements.
  2. Applying for Investor Residency: Acquiring a special short-term residence permit (under Article 31/1-j of Law No. 6458) allowing the investor and family to reside legally during the application review.
  3. Filing Citizenship Application: Preparing apostilled and translated documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, family record books) and submitting the file to the dedicated Provincial Migration Office.
  4. Security Clearance and Presidential Approval: The file is sent to the Ministry of Interior for security background checks. Upon positive clearance, the file is approved by the President of the Republic.

For detailed information and legal consultation, you can visit our Residency & Citizenship page, or request an appointment via our Contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions on Turkish Citizenship by Investment

Can the investor's family also obtain citizenship?

Yes. The investor's spouse and children under 18 years of age are granted citizenship along with the primary investor under the same application file.

Can I sell the property after 3 years?

Yes. Once the 3-year statutory holding period expires, you are free to sell the property. Selling it will not affect or revoke your citizenship status.

Can I buy multiple properties to meet the $400,000 limit?

Yes. You can purchase multiple properties (apartments, commercial units, land) as long as their cumulative appraised value meets the $400,000 USD threshold.

How long does the citizenship process take?

On average, the process from property purchase to final approval and issuing of Turkish ID cards/passports takes 4 to 6 months.

Is there a physical residency requirement to maintain citizenship?

No. The program does not require the investor or their family to live in Turkey or visit the country for a minimum duration to maintain their citizenship.