Turkey citizenship by investment: who is eligible and how to get it
Turkey citizenship offers the advantages of travelling to 120+ countries visa-free and the opportunity to pursue an E‑2 business visa for the United States — all alongside moving to a country with a mild climate, gorgeous sea, and diverse culture.
Foreigners can obtain these benefits and get a Turkish passport by investing at least $400,000 in the country’s economy. The process of obtaining citizenship typically spans six to eight months, with the potential for investment returns within three years.
Read on to learn how one can get Turkey citizenship by investment, who is eligible, and how this program differs from others.
Answered questions on the Turkish investment program
7 benefits of Turkey citizenship
1. It’s possible to obtain a passport by investment. By investing $400,000+, in real estate, bank deposits, or other investment options specified by the Turkish government, investors can become citizens within 6 to 8 months.
2. Travel without visas. Turkish citizens travel without visas to 120+ countries, among them are Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Investors with a Turkey passport can also get a C-2 Schengen visa for 5 years and travel to the Schengen Area.
3. Opportunity to apply for an E-2 investor visa to the USA and move to the country with the whole family. Turkey and the United States have signed an agreement on the issuance of this type of visa.
The E-2 visa is nonimmigrant, meaning its holder cannot get a green card and apply for citizenship. It is valid for five years and can then be renewed for another two years.
4. Low requirements for becoming a Turkish citizen. Investors are not required to renounce their current citizenship or take language or national history exams. Moreover, the investment program does not require applicants to live in Turkey to obtain or maintain citizenship.
5. Access to quality healthcare. Turkish citizenship grants access to comprehensive healthcare services, with complete medical assistance for citizens and their families, including free emergency care regardless of insurance status.
About 80% of the Turkish citizens' expenses on healthcare are covered by Universal Health Insurance. The prices for Turkish healthcare are lower than in the EU or the USA.
6. Social guarantees. A Turkish passport allows the holder and their family to live, work, and study in Turkey, offering free education and university reimbursement plans, along with pension programs. There are also no restrictions on the inheritance of real estate and assets.
7. Affordable high-quality life. Compared to many European countries, the cost of living in Turkey is lower, making it an attractive place for those seeking a high-quality life at a more affordable cost.
In Turkey, estimated monthly costs for a family of four are approximately $1,838 without rent, while a single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $515. This affordability extends across various aspects of living, from groceries and dining out to transportation and utilities.
Comparatively, consumer prices in Turkey are substantially lower than in the United Kingdom, with consumer prices, including rent, being 51% lower. Restaurant prices, groceries, and rent are significantly cheaper in Turkey by 59%, 45,5%, and 60% respectively.
Ankara is the capital of Turkey and one of the most popular cities for buying real estate in the country
Who can get Turkey citizenship by investment
Investor. The Turkish nationality requirements for the main applicant are:
older than 18;
no criminal records;
compliance with Turkish immigration laws;
no serious illnesses;
proof of legal income.
Citizens of Armenia, Cuba, Nigeria, North Korea, and Cyprus cannot participate in the program.
Investor’s family members. Investors have the opportunity to include their spouse and children under 18 to the citizenship application.
Financially independent adult children are not covered by the family application. They can, however, apply independently as main applicants, provided they meet the investment requirements.
Investment requirements for citizenship in Turkey
The applicant can choose any of the five investment options. Investments in Turkey citizenship are returnable. Three years after obtaining citizenship, the investor can sell the purchased securities or real estate or close the deposit.
1. Purchase of real estate worth at least $400,000. It is the most popular investment option. Applicants can buy any property: an apartment, a house, commercial or industrial premises.
Since December of 2023, you cannot get citizenship in Turkey by purchasing undeveloped land. The new regulations specify that the investment in real estate must now include land with established condominiums or buildings or an issued building permit.
Buying a single property isn’t a requirement; instead, one can purchase several apartments for a total cost of more than $400,000.
However, a property can be used for participation in the program only once. An investor who obtained citizenship in Turkey by purchasing real estate cannot resell that property to another applicant for a passport by investment.
2. Deposit in a Turkish bank of at least $500,000. Investors can save money in any currency accepted by the Turkish bank and withdraw funds from the account three years later.
3. Purchase of government bonds in the amount of $500,000 with an obligation to preserve assets for three years.
4. Purchase of shares of investment funds for $500,000, specialising in real estate or venture capital investments, with an obligation to preserve assets for three years.
5. Open a business with a capital of $500,000 or create at least 50 jobs. After three years, the investor can sell their share in the business.
Property prices in Turkey: market overview
The most popular option to obtain Turkish investment citizenship is to buy a property. Unlike some other countries’ citizenship by investment programs, foreigners do not need to obtain permits to buy real estate.
There are many real estate properties in Turkey for every taste: inexpensive apartments, apartments in modern residential complexes with their own infrastructure, penthouses, mansions, villas by the sea, commercial premises. Most often, investors buy housing in Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara.
On the Turkish real estate market, the average cost of an apartment located in the city centre is $1,848 per square metre and $1,108 outside of the city centre.
The cost of a one-room apartment in a provincial city averages $30,000—50,000, and of villas with several bedrooms — $100,000+.
For $400,000, an investor can buy a choice of:
several inexpensive apartments in Kemer;
a two-room apartment in Istanbul with an area of 80 m²;
three-room apartment in Antalya with an area of 170 m²;
villa by the sea in Alanya with an area of 200 m².
Purchased Turkish real estate can be a profitable investment. As of December 2023, the prices for property in Turkey have increased by 84%, compared to December of 2022.
The Turkish housing market is quite dynamic, with properties often being sold within a few months, indicating a relatively high rate of liquidity in this sector.
The demand for housing amid Turkey’s economic difficulties is largely supported by foreigners. The devaluation of the Turkish lira plays into their hands: there are many properties on the market at attractive prices.
Examples of properties for purchase in Turkey
Turkey, Istanbul
78 m² — 179 m²
1—3 
1—2 
Stages of obtaining Turkey citizenship by investment
Turkey’s citizenship by investment program is structured in several stages, each requiring careful preparation and compliance with specific legal requirements.
Here is an overview of the process, from meeting the investment criteria to finally obtaining a Turkish passport. The complete process may take 6 to 8 months.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest performs a confidential preliminary Due Diligence with just the investor’s passport to minimise rejection risks, reducing citizenship denial chances to 1% through its Compliance Department and a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer’s review.
Immigrant Invest performs a confidential preliminary Due Diligence with just the investor’s passport to minimise rejection risks, reducing citizenship denial chances to 1% through its Compliance Department and a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer’s review.
2—4 weeks
Collecting the necessary documents
In addition to standard documents, e.g. a questionnaire, a copy of a passport, confirmation of payment of state fees and photos, the investor needs:
a police clearance certificate;
documents confirming the implementation of investments: a certificate from the cadastral service, a market assessment report, an extract from a bank or investment fund, or constituent documents.
All foreign documents must be translated into Turkish, notarized and apostilled.
In addition to standard documents, e.g. a questionnaire, a copy of a passport, confirmation of payment of state fees and photos, the investor needs:
a police clearance certificate;
documents confirming the implementation of investments: a certificate from the cadastral service, a market assessment report, an extract from a bank or investment fund, or constituent documents.
All foreign documents must be translated into Turkish, notarized and apostilled.
Along with the preparation of documents
Investing
The Immigrant Invest real estate team identifies properties matching investor preferences, such as rental apartments or properties under construction. Lawyers ensure property titles and contract terms are clear.
Investors select a property, pay an advance of $1,000—$5,000, and then sign and pay the sale contract, deducting the advance from the total cost.
The Immigrant Invest real estate team identifies properties matching investor preferences, such as rental apartments or properties under construction. Lawyers ensure property titles and contract terms are clear.
Investors select a property, pay an advance of $1,000—$5,000, and then sign and pay the sale contract, deducting the advance from the total cost.
Up to 4 weeks
Obtaining a short-term residence permit
Application for a short-term residence permit can be initiated online through e-residence system on the Directorate General of Migration Management’s website. After submitting the application online, the applicant must attend an appointment with the necessary documents as scheduled by the system.
The documents must indicate the goal of the investor’s stay in Turkey — to obtain citizenship by investment.
Application for a short-term residence permit can be initiated online through e-residence system on the Directorate General of Migration Management’s website. After submitting the application online, the applicant must attend an appointment with the necessary documents as scheduled by the system.
The documents must indicate the goal of the investor’s stay in Turkey — to obtain citizenship by investment.
Up to 3 months
Applying for citizenship
To the already collected package of documents, the applicant adds a copy of the residence permit and submits biometric data.
The application is considered within three months. During this time, the documents are studied by the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the decision on granting citizenship will be signed by the president.
To the already collected package of documents, the applicant adds a copy of the residence permit and submits biometric data.
The application is considered within three months. During this time, the documents are studied by the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the decision on granting citizenship will be signed by the president.
At least 2 days
Obtain a Turkish passport
The applicant comes to Turkey and receives a passport. If this is not possible, the documents can be collected by a lawyer.
The applicant comes to Turkey and receives a passport. If this is not possible, the documents can be collected by a lawyer.
Other ways to obtain Turkey citizenship
In addition to investing in the Turkish economy, there are several other ways to obtain citizenship.
1. Birth or descent. This path is suitable for those who have at least one parent who is a Turkish citizen or for those who have Turkish ancestry.
2. Marriage. Citizenship application becomes available after three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen.
3. Employment, after five years of work in Turkey under a contract.
4. Turkey citizenship by naturalisation is available after five years of living in Turkey. During this time, applicants cannot leave the country for a total of more than six months.
To apply, the foreigner proves proficiency in the Turkish language, having a job or a sufficient level of income.
The easiest way to get an initial tourist residence permit is to buy any property. Another way is to get a permanent residence permit by purchasing real estate worth $100,000. A permanent residence permit will be given for two years, then it can be extended for another three years.
5. Special merit (Turquoise Card): for outstanding achievements in science, business, culture, or sports.
Turkish passport costs
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) announced that in 2024 the costs for obtaining a Turkish are expected to increase by 58,46%. Here are the fees for different validity periods:
a 6-month passport — 1,639 liras (≈ $54);
a passport with a 1-year validity — 2,396 Turkish liras (≈ $78);
a 2-year passport — 3,912 lira (≈ $128);
a 3-year validity passport — 5,558 Turkish liras (≈ $182);
passports with a validity of 4—10 years — 7,833 liras (≈ $257).
The passport book fee has also increased to 790 liras (≈ $24).
The Turkish passport by investment is popular among residents of the Middle East, Russia and the CIS countries
Dual citizenship in Turkey
Turkey allows dual and multiple citizenships under Article 44 of the Turkish Citizenship Law, which states that individuals can maintain multiple citizenships, provided they meet certain requirements and procedures laid out by the law.
A Turkish citizen acquiring citizenship of another country must inform Turkish authorities and have this information recorded in their civil registration. This requirement ensures that Turkey’s records accurately reflect its citizens' multiple nationalities.
Who might consider obtaining Turkey citizenship
Citizenship by investment in Turkey is suitable for those who want to live permanently in the country, obtain an E‑2 investor visa for the US or have a "safe haven" in case of an emergency at home. Also, the status of a citizen allows you to buy real estate at preferential mortgage rates.
Turkish citizenship is not suitable if the investor wants to have visa-free access to the USA, Canada, Europe, the UK, China, optimise taxes or develop business in Europe.
In these cases better choose citizenship of Malta, or the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Vanuatu. All of them allow you to obtain citizenship for the whole family without living in the countries stated or knowing their native languages.
Uncover the advantages, terms, and details of the Turkish investment program
Key points about Turkey citizenship by investment
Obtaining Turkey citizenship by investment offers a wide range of benefits, including visa-free access to over 120 countries and the opportunity for an E‑2 investor visa to the USA.
Investors and their families can enjoy high-quality healthcare and education without the need for renouncing their original nationality.
The program allows investors to include their spouse and children under 18.
The program’s efficient processing time of 6 to 8 months ensures that investors can quickly gain citizenship and start enjoying the benefits.
The Turkish real estate market presents profitable investment opportunities with a variety of options and the potential for substantial returns.
The investment options include buying real estate for $400,000+, opening bank deposits of $500,000+, creating business with $500,000, and purchasing government securities or shares of investment funds for $500,000+.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for citizenship and residence by investment programs in the EU, the Caribbean, Asia, and the Middle East. Take advantage of our global 15-year expertise — schedule a meeting with our investment programs experts.
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