Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program was first introduced on 12.01.2017 and amended significantly on 18.09.2018 and 13.05.2022. Within the scope of this new regulation change, Türkiye grants citizenship to foreigners who buy real estate in Türkiye worth at least $400,000, under the condition that the property is not sold for at least three years. By purchasing a property valued at a minimum of $400,000 USD in any part of Türkiye, or making a $500,000 capital investment, a foreign investor will be able to obtain Turkish citizenship for themselves and their family.
With the amendment made to the Regulations Regarding the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreigners who meet any of the following criteria may be eligible for Turkish citizenship, subject to the decision of the President of the Republic of Türkiye:
Main criteria: Starting from 18.09.2018, acquiring a property worth a minimum of $400,000 USD with a title deed restriction on its resale for three years, as attested by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.
Historical purchases: For real estate purchased between 12.01.2017 and 18.09.2018, the property must be worth at least $1,000,000. It is not possible to apply for citizenship with real estate purchased before 12.01.2017, or with real estate covered by a promise-to-sell agreement before 07.12.2018.
Currency regulations: Payment obligations for real estate purchased in Türkiye by foreigners can only be fulfilled in foreign currency. Prior to the acquisition of real estate by foreign individuals, the foreign currency equivalent to the sale price must be sold to a bank by the foreign buyer, seller, or their proxies/representatives in USD or an equivalent foreign currency, which is then sold to the Central Bank. The "Foreign Exchange Certificate" issued by the bank must be submitted to the Land Registry Directorate at the time of application, and the Turkish Lira amount registered in the foreign exchange certificate must be declared as the sales price.
Valuation: A valuation report from an authorized appraisal company is required for the property. Official real estate evaluation reports, bank receipts, and the purchase amount on the title deed must each separately exceed the minimum investment threshold. We check and coordinate this entire process to ensure full compliance with the program.
Transfers: All real estate-related money transfers must be made via bank transfer through the banks of the buyer, seller, or their representatives.
Combining properties: It is possible to combine multiple real estate purchases in the same city or different cities to reach the minimum investment amount.
Property types: Undeveloped land and land without any buildings are not eligible for the program. Other than this, there are no specific restrictions on the property type (developed land, office, villa, shop, apartment, etc.) or location.
Shared ownership: Joint-owned properties are no longer eligible for the application as of February 1, 2023. (Eligibility cannot be obtained through shared ownership of a single property by different investors; in other words, dividing a single property into shares for multiple citizenship applications is not allowed.) If a property is acquired by multiple foreign individuals in a shared ownership structure, that property cannot be considered for citizenship. However, if a property registered in the names of multiple individuals is acquired in its entirety by a single foreign individual, that property can be considered for citizenship.
Seller restrictions: Properties subject to sale for a citizenship application can only be purchased from Turkish citizens or companies.
Previous ownership rules: The property subject to sale must not be among properties transferred to a Turkish citizen or company by the foreign investor or their first-degree relatives, whether they are Turkish or not. The property subject to sale must not be among properties transferred to a Turkish citizen or company by a foreigner within the last three years. Additionally, the property subject to sale must not be owned by a Turkish citizen who acquired citizenship through the investment program.
Corporate ownership: The property subject to the sale or promise-to-sell agreement must not be registered in the name of a company in which the foreign investor, their spouse, or their children are shareholders or managers. The said property also must not be registered in the name of a foreign capital company that has a foreign shareholder of the same nationality as the foreign investor.
Single use: Once used, the same property cannot be used again to acquire citizenship by a second investor.
Resale consequences: In the event that a foreign investor who has acquired Turkish citizenship by acquiring property transfers (or sells) the relevant real estate back to the same Turkish citizen/company after the expiration of the investment holding period (excluding compulsory transfers made by court decisions or compulsory execution), or abandons the promise-to-sell contract to transfer the property to a third person, the General Directorate is notified, and the status of the eligibility certificate that forms the basis of citizenship acquisition is reevaluated.
Inheritance: The rights of inheritors are preserved for real estate acquired by foreigners in Türkiye.
Main criteria: Depositing at least the Turkish Lira equivalent of $500,000 USD in any bank(s) operating in Türkiye, with the condition not to withdraw the funds for at least three years (attested by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency).
Currency rules: Bank deposits for citizenship can only be kept in Turkish Lira as of January 2022. The investor will be eligible to apply for citizenship after opening a deposit account in any bank operating in Türkiye (government or private) and investing $500,000 by selling the said amount to the Central Bank, with the condition not to withdraw the same Turkish Lira amount for three years. The Turkish Lira amounts obtained as a result of this foreign exchange sale are kept in Turkish Lira deposits for three years.
Exchange rate: The USD equivalent of the currency on the date of determination by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency will be taken as the basis by the banks and will be expected to remain at the same amount.
Account setup: The total amount can be deposited across different accounts in one bank or different accounts in different banks operating in Türkiye. It is also possible to apply for citizenship through a joint account opened with the investor's spouse (or brother, etc.) if the same consent (investment holding period) is given by the investor's account partner.
Withdrawal rules: The blocking process established on the account(s) ($500,000) in the beginning is voluntary and does not prevent the right of the account holder to withdraw the funds. Account holders have the right to suspend or cancel the citizenship process by withdrawing the deposited amount. In this case (and in the case of any attachment, pledge, injunction, or other legal restrictions), banks will immediately inform the Ministry of Interior, which will eventually lead to the cancellation of the acquired citizenship.
Returns: The investor can benefit from all kinds of returns (interest, dividends, and similar returns) as long as the amount does not fall below the initial deposit amount.
Citizenship application requires careful and professional attention by a specialized Immigration Lawyer who knows all the ins and outs of this process and can represent the client vis-a-vis government authorities.
In order to avoid any potential risks and mistakes that could endanger both the investment and application stages, it is important to take the first step with a qualified lawyer who will advise, guide, represent and accompany the client throughout the entire process.
With a deep expertise and experience on all investment options of Turkish Citizenship Program from the very beginning, we conduct and follow up all the steps and procedures very diligently for our clients from 30+ different countries.
We actively take part in the following phases to manage the process under the best possible legal framework from A to Z and in full compliance with the latest official regulations as of 2026. Our meticulous attention to details ensures a smooth and stress-free process for the clients.
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Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program
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