Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Turkey's citizenship by investment program offers one of the most straightforward paths to citizenship among non-Caribbean programs. The primary route requires a real estate investment of at least $400,000, which must be retained for a minimum of three years. Capital investment, bank deposit, government bond, and job creation routes are also available. The entire family (spouse and children under 18) can be included at no additional investment threshold. Turkish citizenship confers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 110 destinations. Turkish citizens may also apply for a US E-2 Investor Visa, and the passport is valued for its emerging-market business access.
Program Details
- Individual Cost
- $400,000
- Family of 4 Cost
- $400,000
- Processing Time
- 4 months
- Residency Required
- No residency required; temporary residence permit is obtained during process but does not require physical presence
- Due Diligence
- Standard
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 110
- Dual Citizenship
- Accepted
- Renunciation Required
- No
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Amount (USD) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate purchase (minimum value) | $400,000 | Must be held for 3 years; family included at no extra investment threshold |
| Title deed fees and taxes (approx.) | $15,000 | |
| Notary, translation, and legal fees | $5,000 | |
| Application and processing fees | $2,000 | |
| Agent/consultancy fees (estimate) | $8,000 |
Nationality Restrictions
This program does not accept applications from nationals of: Armenian, Greek Cypriot, and Syrian nationals face significant barriers; several nationalities restricted by ministerial discretion
Investment Routes
| Route | Amount (USD) | Lock-up (years) | Exit-Value Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | $400,000 | 3 | Minimum real estate purchase of USD 400,000, raised from USD 250,000 in June 2022 by Presidential Decree. 3-year mandatory hold annotated in the title deed (tapu). A property appraisal by a TKGM-approved independent appraiser is mandatory; the purchase price must equal or exceed the appraised value. Turkish lira volatility has historically eroded USD-equivalent values; buyers typically transact in USD or EUR but title is denominated in TRY. Secondary market in Istanbul and coastal cities (Antalya, Bodrum) is reasonably liquid for higher-quality properties. Source: goc.gov.tr |
| Government Bonds | $500,000 | 3 | Minimum USD 500,000 in Turkish government bonds or Treasury bills. 3-year hold. Currency risk: TRY-denominated bonds expose the investor to lira depreciation. USD or EUR-denominated bonds are available and reduce currency risk. |
| Government Fund Donation | $500,000 | — | Fixed capital contribution to a fund defined by the Council of Ministers (minimum USD 500,000). Non-refundable. Verification of fund by the Capital Markets Board or Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency required. |
| Business / Enterprise | $500,000 | 3 | Bank deposit of minimum USD 500,000 held for 3 years with a bank operating in Turkey, OR investment in a venture capital fund or private equity fund of at least USD 500,000 for 3 years. Source: goc.gov.tr |
Realistic Total Timeline
6–12 months
End-to-end from application submission to passport issuance, based on recent reported timelines. Times assume a complete file; source- of-funds gaps or refusals can extend significantly.
Due Diligence
- Provider
- Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) + General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TKGM) for property appraisal
- Depth Level
- standard
Common Disqualifiers
- ⚠Criminal record under Turkish law
- ⚠Presence on international sanctions lists (UN, OFAC, EU)
- ⚠Failure to pass property appraisal conducted by TKGM-approved appraisers
- ⚠Title encumbrance or disputed ownership on real estate investment
- ⚠Misrepresentation of fund source or prior identity
- ⚠Active involvement in activities deemed a threat to Turkish national security
Approved Agents
Direct applications are permitted; licensed agents are not required.
Official approved-agents directory →Family Inclusion
- Siblings
- Not included
- Parents Min Age
- —
- Max Child Age
- 18
- Grandparents
- Not included
Spouse and dependent children under 18 included on the same application. Adult children and parents are not eligible as dependants under the standard CBI route. Turkey's CBI program does not have extended family inclusion options comparable to Caribbean programs. Additional family members would need to apply separately through other immigration routes.
Travel Benefits
- Visa-Free Destinations
- 110
- Schengen
- —
- UK
- —
- US E-2 Treaty
- ✓
- Canada eTA
- —
Post-Citizenship Tax Implications
Turkey has a residence-based tax system. Turkish citizens residing outside Turkey are not subject to Turkish income tax on foreign-source income. Physical tax residency in Turkey is triggered by habitual residence or by being present in Turkey for more than 6 months in a calendar year. Turkey's top personal income tax rate is 40%. Corporate tax rate is 25% (2024). Turkey has an extensive double-tax treaty network (80+ treaties). Turkish citizenship obtained through investment does not create automatic tax obligations; however, if you move to Turkey, you become a tax resident. No capital gains tax on real estate sold after 5 years of ownership (from acquisition date). Capital gains on real estate sold within 5 years are taxable.
Recent Changes
Presidential Decree raised the minimum real estate investment threshold from USD 250,000 to USD 400,000 for citizenship eligibility. The mandatory property appraisal requirement was simultaneously tightened to ensure purchase price cannot be artificially inflated above market value.
source →Turkey introduced additional AML/CFT due-diligence requirements for citizenship applicants, including enhanced source-of-funds documentation. This followed FATF scrutiny of Turkish real estate market exposure to illicit finance.
source →
Programme FAQs
Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
Sources: goc.gov.tr
Why is Turkey's processing time longer than Caribbean programs?
Sources: goc.gov.tr
Does Turkey have an E-2 treaty with the United States?
Sources: goc.gov.trtravel.state.gov
Can I get a Turkish passport if I buy off-plan property?
Sources: goc.gov.tr
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