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📅 Post Date: February 28, 2026 | 🔄 Updated: March 4, 2026
Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate Investment
Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Through Real Estate
Foreign investors can acquire Turkish citizenship by exception through approved real estate investments. The Official Government Investment Office, operating under the President, attracts and assists foreign investors through a one-stop service, while citizenship by investment is granted by presidential approval. The Türkiye Citizenship by Investment program, officially published in the Official Gazette of Türkiye on June 12, 2009, allows foreigners to Türkiye Citizenship, along with their foreign spouse and dependent minor children.
At immi.legal, we focus exclusively on the real estate investment route, the most established and government-supported pathway to Turkish citizenship.
Why Choose Turkish Citizenship?
Türkiye strategically connects Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, offering investors both geopolitical positioning and a dynamic domestic market.
Turkish citizenship provides:
Full Turkish passport rights
Citizenship for spouse and children under 18 (art 31(1)(j) Law 6458).
Access to education and public healthcare
Business and banking access in a G20 economy
A growing real estate market with rental potential
Türkiye’s foreign direct investment framework is structured under the national FDI strategy published by the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, reinforcing long-term economic stability for international investors.
Real Estate Investment
Foreign nationals can obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate valued at a minimum of USD 400,000. The property must be annotated in the Land Registry with a legal restriction stating that it cannot be sold or transferred for three years. Only built properties or under-construction units qualify if legal title formalities are properly completed. Agricultural and undeveloped land no longer meet the citizenship criteria.
Key Steps for Citizenship via Real Estate:
1. Property Agreement – Conclude a purchase agreement for a property meeting the USD 400,000 minimum threshold.
2. Real Estate Appraisal – Obtain a government-approved appraisal report via the official Webtapu platform to confirm the investment amount.
3. Land Registry Submission – Submit the purchase documents, including the foreign currency purchase certificate, to the Land Registry.
4. Verification & Fees – The Land Registry confirms that the declared values meet regulatory standards and notifies the buyer of title deed and transaction fees.
5. Contract Signing & Annotation – After payment, the contract is signed, and the “three-year non-sale” annotation is registered on the property deed.
6. Certificate of Conformity – The Land Registry forwards transaction documents to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs, which issues a Certificate of Conformity for the citizenship application.
Detailed procedural guidance is published by the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye and the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs.
Best Cities for Real Estate Investment
Although the citizenship program applies nationwide, investor demand is concentrated in key metropolitan and international resort cities.
Istanbul – Economic & Financial Capital
Largest real estate market in Türkiye
Strong rental demand
Major infrastructure and international schools
High liquidity and resale potential
Istanbul remains the leading destination for citizenship investors seeking long-term capital growth and urban property value.
Other International Resort Cities
Bodrum – Premium coastal peninsula
Fethiye – Marina and yachting hub
Izmir – Aegean commercial centre
All qualifying properties must meet official valuation standards and Presidential Decree compliance conditions.
Step-by-Step Turkish Citizenship Process
Based strictly on the Regulation Implementing Law No. 5901 and the official Citizenship by Investment program.
Turkish Tax ID, Bank Account and Property Selection
Obtain a Tax Registration Number with your foreign Passport at the domestic Turkish tax office.
Open an account at one of Turkey’s top 10 banks (passport, tax number, proof of address required).
Select Property (optional: from the publicly listed developers (REITs / GYO/JYO), e.g., Emlak Konut GYO A.Ş., Halk GYO A.Ş., Kiler GYO A.Ş., Peker GYO A.Ş., Trend GYO A.Ş., EYG GYO (EYG Gayrimenkul Yatırım Ortaklığı A.Ş.)).
Real Estate Investment Process
Sign the property Sales Contract (Notarize)
Transfer funds through an official bank transfer (obtain transaction receipts)
Transfer the Title Deed (TAPU) to the investor, or register a notarized sales agreement at the Land Registry (3-year non-sale annotated at the Land Registry)
Certificate of Conformity
Present the Official Valuation Survey along with the Bank Transfer receipt (with currency purchase certificate).
Obtain an investment compliance Certificate of Conformity issued by the Ministry.
Temporary Residence Permit During the Process
After property acquisition, visit the Directorate General of Migration Management and initiate your Turkish Residency application.
Submit biometrics data and obtain a temporary residence card until final citizenship approval.
Citizenship Application Submission
The citizenship file is submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs under the Ministry of Interior.
All civil status documents (passport copies, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, biometric photos) are included for each family member.
Presidential Approval
Procedural details are also summarized by the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs and the official government investment portal.
Processing Time
Although not fixed by statute, applications are generally processed within 3-9 months, subject to due diligence, security clearance, and administrative review.
Legal Framework & Official Sources
The Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate Investment program is governed by:
Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901
Presidential Decisions published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye
Official guidance from the Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
The original law was first published in the Official Gazette dated 12 June 2009 (No. 27256), and five subsequent amendments (the Government Information Portal) have made to the Presidential Decrees so far.
Alternative Investment Routes
While real estate remains the most preferred route, the Implementing Regulation also allows alternative qualifying investments, such as:
Fixed capital investment
Bank deposits
Government bonds
Job creation
Turkish Passport Benefits
Turkish citizens benefit from:
Full constitutional rights
Access to national banking and business systems
Strategic global mobility
Asset diversification within a G20 economy
Why Work with immi.legal?
We provide:
Independent legal structuring
Government-compliant property due diligence
Certified valuation coordination
Land registry supervision
Full citizenship file preparation
Post-approval passport assistance
Our services are structured strictly in accordance with official Turkish law and Presidential Decree requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A legally binding restriction is recorded in the Land Registry.
No minimum stay requirement is imposed for citizenship approval.
Yes, except for biometrics(fingerprint and photograph), the rest can be processed remotely with the apostilled power of attorney.
Although a Turkish account isn’t mandatory, it simplifies citizenship paperwork by providing the required bank transfer receipt with a currency purchase certificate (proving the funds entered Turkey in your name).
No. Turkey does not automatically tax you on worldwide income simply because you become a citizen. Turkish tax liability is based on tax residency, not citizenship.
Yes. Turkey permits dual citizenship, so you are not required to renounce your existing nationality (subject to your home country’s laws).