Turkish citizenship by investment lets a foreign national and their immediate family obtain Turkish citizenship by making a qualifying investment in Turkey, most often by buying real estate and keeping it for at least three years. There is no language test and no requirement to live in Turkey beforehand, but the process is document-heavy and every step must be done in the right order.
This guide explains the investment options, who can be included, the documents you need and how the application moves from purchase to passport.
What investment options qualify for Turkish citizenship?
The law sets several routes. The amounts below are those in force at the time of writing; they have been changed in the past, so always confirm the current figures before you commit any money.
- Real estate: buying property worth at least USD 400,000 and undertaking not to sell it for three years. This is by far the most popular route.
- Fixed capital investment: investing at least USD 500,000 in fixed capital, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
- Bank deposit: depositing at least USD 500,000 (or the equivalent) in a Turkish bank and keeping it there for three years.
- Government debt instruments: buying Turkish government bonds of at least USD 500,000 and holding them for three years.
- Investment fund shares: buying real estate investment fund or venture capital fund shares of at least USD 500,000 and holding them for three years.
- Employment: creating jobs for at least 50 people, confirmed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
Who can be included in the application?
The main applicant can include their spouse and their children under 18. Adult children are not included automatically; they generally need their own qualifying route. Each family member must provide identity and civil status documents, translated into Turkish and legalised or apostilled where required.
How does the real estate route work in practice?
Because most applicants choose property, it is worth understanding the extra conditions that apply to it.
Valuation report
An official valuation report from a licensed appraisal company is required. The value used for citizenship is the one in that report, so the declared price and the appraised value should match the investment threshold.
Currency conversion
The purchase money must be brought into Turkey as foreign currency and sold to a Turkish bank, which issues a currency exchange certificate. Paying in cash or converting the money informally can make the investment unusable for citizenship.
Title deed annotation
The title deed (Tapu) carries an annotation that the property cannot be sold for three years. The property must not have been used in an earlier citizenship application, and buying from relatives or through arrangements that look artificial can lead to rejection.
For the property checks themselves, see our guide to buying property in Turkey as a foreigner.
What are the steps of the citizenship application?
- Choose the investment and check that it qualifies before you pay.
- Obtain a Turkish tax number and open a bank account.
- Complete the investment with the correct transfer and conversion documents.
- Get the certificate of conformity, the document from the relevant authority confirming that your investment meets the citizenship conditions.
- Apply for a residence permit based on the investment; this is part of the process and is usually handled together with the citizenship file.
- Submit the citizenship application with all family documents.
- Security and background checks are carried out by the authorities.
- Decision and identity documents: after approval, you receive a Turkish ID card and can apply for a passport.
Processing time varies with the case and the workload of the authorities, so treat any fixed timeline with caution.
Which documents will you need?
The exact list depends on the route and your nationality, but a typical file includes:
- Valid passport and photographs for each applicant
- Birth certificate and, for spouses, a marriage certificate
- Documents proving the investment (title deed, bank records, currency exchange certificate)
- The certificate of conformity
- Residence permit documents
- Sworn translations and apostille or consular legalisation for foreign documents
A spelling difference in a name between two documents is one of the most common causes of delay, so check every translation carefully.
What are the most common mistakes?
- Paying before confirming that the property or investment qualifies.
- Bringing money in without proper bank records and currency conversion.
- Relying on a sales agent's valuation instead of an official appraisal.
- Missing or inconsistent civil status documents for family members.
- Ignoring a past entry ban or overstay record, which can affect the security check.
If you are not ready to invest at this level, a residence permit may be a better first step. Our overview of Turkey residence permit types explains the options.
Can you keep your current citizenship?
Turkey allows dual citizenship, so Turkish law does not require you to give up your existing nationality. However, some countries do not permit dual citizenship, so check the rules of your own country before applying.
Get advice before you invest
Citizenship by investment is a significant financial and legal decision, and a small error at the start can cost months later. Our licensed Turkish lawyers can review the investment, the documents and your family situation before you pay anything. Book a free first consultation or browse our services.
Frequently asked questions
At the time of writing, the real estate route requires property worth at least USD 400,000, while most other routes, such as a bank deposit or fixed capital investment, require at least USD 500,000. These amounts have changed before, so confirm the current figures before investing.
Yes. Your spouse and your children under 18 can be included in the same application. Adult children usually need to qualify on their own.
No. There is no minimum period of residence before applying and no language test. You will still need to complete the residence permit and biometric steps that are part of the process.
The property must be kept for at least three years from the date of the title deed annotation. Selling earlier can put the citizenship at risk, so wait until the holding period has ended.
Yes, Turkish law permits dual citizenship. Whether you can keep your original nationality depends on the law of your own country.