Turkey offers numerous advantages to its citizens, including visa-free travel to over 120 countries and the possibility of obtaining an E-2 business visa for the United States. Additionally, Turkey boasts a mild climate, stunning coastlines, and a rich cultural heritage.
Foreign nationals can acquire these benefits and obtain a Turkish passport by investing a minimum of $400,000 in the country's economy. The citizenship acquisition process generally takes six to eight months, with potential returns on investment within three years.
6 Benefits of Turkish Citizenship
Passport Acquisition Through Investment By investing at least $400,000 in real estate, bank deposits, or other government-approved options, investors can obtain Turkish citizenship within 6 to 8 months.
Minimal Requirements for Citizenship Investors do not need to renounce their current citizenship, pass language or national history exams, or reside in Turkey to obtain or maintain their Turkish citizenship.
Visa-Free Travel Turkish citizens can travel visa-free to over 120 countries, including Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Additionally, Turkish passport holders can obtain a C-2 Schengen visa valid for 5 years, allowing travel throughout the Schengen Area.
Access to Quality Healthcare Turkish citizens benefit from comprehensive healthcare services, including free emergency care regardless of insurance status. Universal Health Insurance covers about 80% of healthcare expenses, and the cost of healthcare in Turkey is lower than in the EU or the USA.
Social Guarantees A Turkish passport allows the holder and their family to live, work, and study in Turkey. This includes free education, university reimbursement plans, and pension programs. There are no restrictions on the inheritance of real estate and assets.
Eligibility and Investment Options for Turkish Citizenship
To qualify for Turkish citizenship through investment, the main applicant must meet the following criteria:
Be over 18 years old
Comply with Turkish immigration laws
Have no criminal record
Be in good health with no serious illnesses
Provide proof of legal income
However, citizens of Armenia, Cuba, Cyprus, Nigeria and North Korea are ineligible to participate in the program.
Family Members of the Investor: Investors can include their spouse and children under 18 in their citizenship application. Financially independent adult children must apply independently as main applicants if they meet the investment requirements.
Investment Options: Applicants have five investment options to qualify for Turkish citizenship, all of which are returnable investments that can be liquidated after three years of obtaining citizenship. Each option offers flexibility and the opportunity for investors to tailor their investment strategy to meet the requirements for Turkish citizenship:
Real Estate Purchase: Invest at least $400,000 in real estate. The property must include land with established condominiums or buildings or have an issued building permit. Multiple properties can be purchased, but each property can only be used once for citizenship applications.
Investing in real estate is the most popular way to obtain Turkish citizenship by investment. Unlike many other countries, Turkey does not require foreigners to obtain permits to purchase property. The Turkish real estate market offers a wide range of options, including budget-friendly apartments, modern residential complexes with extensive amenities, penthouses, seaside villas, and commercial properties.
Bank Deposit: Deposit at least $500,000 in a Turkish bank in any accepted currency. The funds can be withdrawn after three years.
Government Bonds: Purchase government bonds worth $500,000 with a commitment to hold them for three years.
Investment Funds: Invest $500,000 in shares of investment funds specializing in real estate or venture capital, with a commitment to maintain the investment for three years.
Business Investment: Establish a business in Turkey with a capital investment of at least $500,000 or create at least 50 jobs. After three years, the investor are free to sell their share in the business.
Stages of Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Turkey's citizenship by investment program involves several carefully structured stages, each requiring adherence to specific legal requirements. The entire process typically takes 6 months. Here’s an outline of the steps:
Preliminary Due Diligence
Collecting the Necessary Documents In addition to standard documents like a questionnaire, passport copy, state fee payment confirmation, and photos, the investor must provide:
Documents proving the investment, such as a certificate from the cadastral service, market assessment report, bank or investment fund extract, or constituent documents
A police clearance certificate
Please note that All foreign documents must be translated into Turkish, notarized, and apostilled.
Investing
Obtaining a Short-Term Residence Permit The application for a short-term residence permit can be initiated online via the Directorate General of Migration Management's e-residence system. After submitting the application online, the applicant must attend an in-person appointment with the required documents. These documents must state the purpose of the stay in Turkey is to obtain citizenship by investment.
Applying for Citizenship: The applicant submits the already collected documents, a copy of the residence permit, and biometric data. The citizenship application is reviewed within 3 (three) months, during which time the documents are evaluated.
Obtaining a Turkish Passport: The applicant can collect the passport in Turkey or through a lawyer if travel is not possible.
Alternative Ways to Obtain Turkish Citizenship
In addition to the investment route, there are several other methods to acquire Turkish citizenship:
By Birth or Descent: Individuals with at least one Turkish parent or Turkish ancestry can obtain citizenship.
Through Marriage: After three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen, one can apply for citizenship.
Employment: Working in Turkey for five years under a legal contract qualifies one for citizenship.
Naturalization: Living in Turkey for five consecutive years without leaving for more than six months total. Applicants must prove Turkish language proficiency and sufficient income. The easiest way to secure a tourist residence permit is by purchasing any property, while a permanent residence permit requires real estate worth $100,000, initially granted for two years and extendable for three more years.
Special Merit (Turquoise Card): Awarded for exceptional achievements in science, business, culture, or sports.
Cost of Turkish Passports
Each year, increases in passport fees are made in accordance with the annual increase rate announced by the government at the beginning of the year. In 2024, there was a 58.46% increase in passport costs, and the 2024 prices are as follows:
6-month passport: 1,639 liras
1-year passport: 2,396 liras
2-year passport: 3,912 liras
3-year passport: 5,558 liras
4-10 year passport: 7,833 liras
Passport book fee: 790 liras
Dual Citizenship
Turkey allows dual and multiple citizenships. Citizens must inform Turkish authorities of any additional nationalities to ensure accurate civil registration records.
Ideal Candidates for Turkish Citizenship
Turkish citizenship by investment is ideal for those who:
Seek permanent residence in Turkey
Desire a secure haven in case of emergencies at home
Aim to buy real estate at preferential mortgage rates
Key Points about Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Offers visa-free access to over 120 countries and eligibility for a US E-2 investor visa.
Provides high-quality healthcare and education without renouncing original nationality.
Allows inclusion of the investor's spouse and children under 18.
Features an efficient processing time of 6 to 8 months.
Presents profitable investment opportunities in the Turkish real estate market.
Investment options include:
Real estate purchase of $400,000+
Bank deposits of $500,000+
Business creation with $500,000
Government securities or investment fund shares purchase of $500,000+
How to obtain Turkish citizenship?
Here are various methods to acquire Turkish citizenship:
Through investments starting from $400,000
Via marriage
By birth, if at least one parent holds Turkish citizenship
Through employment following five years of work
By naturalization after residing in Turkey for five years
For exceptional merits and notable achievements
How much does Turkish citizenship by investment cost?
The cost of obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment varies depending on the chosen option:
Purchasing real estate valued at $400,000 or more
Opening a bank deposit of $500,000 or more
Buying government bonds amounting to $500,000 or more
Investing in shares of investment funds totaling $500,000 or more
Establishing a business with a capital investment of $500,000 or more, creating at least 50 jobs
After three years, investors have the flexibility to sell real estate and securities or close their business.
What does Turkish citizenship give to an investor?
Turkish citizenship offers several key benefits to investors:
A registration period ranging from three to six months
The ability to secure citizenship for the entire family immediately
Eligibility to apply for a US E-2 investor visa, allowing relocation to the United States with family
Potential future EU citizenship if Turkey joins the EU
Option to reclaim investments after three years
No requirement to renounce existing citizenship
No mandatory residency or language proficiency in Turkey
Citizenship that can be passed down through inheritance
If a child was born in Turkey, will they receive Turkish citizenship?
Yes, a child born in Turkey will receive Turkish citizenship if at least one of their parents is a Turkish citizen, regardless of the country of birth. However, if both parents are foreigners and the child would otherwise be stateless, they may be eligible for Turkish citizenship if born in Turkey.
What taxes must be paid when becoming a Turkish citizen?
When becoming a Turkish citizen, the tax implications depend on your tax residency status:
Residency Outside Turkey: If you reside outside Turkey for more than 183 days in a year, you cease to be considered a tax resident of Turkey. Double taxation agreements between Turkey and your country of previous citizenship may prevent you from paying taxes twice.
Residency in Turkey: If you reside in Turkey for more than 183 days in a year, you become a tax resident and are subject to Turkish taxation. Taxes include:
Income Tax: Levied on worldwide income.
Value-Added Tax (VAT): Applied to goods and services consumed in Turkey.
Property Tax: Imposed on real estate owned in Turkey.
When selling real estate in Turkey, both the seller and buyer are required to pay a sales tax of 2% of the property value.
Is it possible to have dual citizenship in Turkey?
Yes, Turkey allows dual citizenship, allowing individuals to hold Turkish citizenship along with another nationality. There is no requirement to renounce your previous citizenship when obtaining Turkish citizenship.
Can you get Turkish citizenship by buying property?
Yes, Turkey offers a citizenship by investment program that allows foreign investors to obtain Turkish citizenship through the purchase of real estate, provided the property meets certain criteria. The investment amount for qualifying real estate is at least $400,000.
What is the latest news on Turkish citizenship by investment?
As of 2024, recent updates to Turkish citizenship and residence permit applications via investment mandate fingerprinting within Turkey and require the investor’s physical presence for both residence permit and citizenship applications. Furthermore, applicants must provide criminal records from their country of citizenship or residence.