Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate Investment – 2025 Comprehensive Guide

Turkey grants exceptional Turkish citizenship to foreign investors who purchase real estate worth at least 400,000 USD. This guide provides a complete overview of the updated 2025 regulations, steps, required documents, and important legal details for obtaining citizenship through property investment.

1. Who Can Obtain Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate?

Any foreign investor who meets the following conditions is eligible:

• Purchasing real estate worth at least 400,000 USD
• Registering a 3-year no-sale restriction on the title deed
• Completing the payment through a Turkish bank with a Foreign Exchange Purchase Document (DAB)
• Obtaining an SPK-licensed valuation report

2. Eligible Property Types

The program accepts a wide variety of property types:

• Residential properties (apartments, villas, residences)
• Commercial properties (offices, shops)
• Land plots suitable for development
• Properties with condominium or construction servitude

Timeshare properties are not eligible for citizenship.

3. Step-by-Step Citizenship Process

3.1. Purchase of the Property

• The sale is completed at the Land Registry Office.
• Payment is made through a Turkish bank and documented with DAB.
• An official valuation report is issued by an SPK-authorized expert.

3.2. “No Sale for 3 Years” Title Deed Restriction

This legal annotation officially initiates the citizenship process.

3.3. Application for the Certificate of Eligibility

The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization confirms that the investment meets citizenship requirements.

3.4. Short-Term Residence Permit (Article J)

The investor and family members must obtain a residence permit before the citizenship application.

3.5. Citizenship Application

The application is submitted to the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

3.6. Review and Approval

A security check is carried out by the Ministry of Interior, and the final approval is given by the President.

4. Processing Time

• Title deed & restriction: 1–5 days
• Eligibility certificate: 3–7 days
• Residence permit: 2–4 weeks
• Citizenship approval: 3–6 months

Total estimated duration: 4–8 months.

5. Family Members Included

The following family members obtain citizenship together with the investor:

• Spouse
• Children under 18 years old

Adult children must apply separately.

6. Critical Payment & Valuation Rules

• Payment must be made via a Turkish bank.
• Foreign currency must be converted to TRY – DAB is mandatory.
• The valuation report and title deed value must not fall below 400,000 USD.
• The seller cannot be a foreigner of the same nationality as the buyer.

7. Required Documents (Updated for 2025)

• Passport
• Tax number
• Title deed
• Official valuation report
• Bank receipts + DAB document
• Residence permit document
• Certificate of eligibility
• Birth/marriage certificates of family members

8. Important Risks to Consider

• Selling the property before 3 years results in cancellation of citizenship.
• Incorrect valuation or missing payment documents may lead to rejection.
• If the seller holds the same foreign nationality, the application becomes invalid.
• Legal procedures must be carefully followed due to frequent regulatory updates.

9. Alternative Investment Options

• 500,000 USD bank deposit (locked for 3 years)
• 500,000 USD government bonds
• 500,000 USD real estate investment fund share
• Creating employment for at least 50 people

10. Advantages of Turkish Citizenship

• Right to live and work in Turkey without restrictions
• Visa-free or e-visa access to 110+ countries
• Access to high-quality healthcare and education
• Opportunity to invest in one of the strongest real estate markets
• Possibility of dual citizenship (depending on home country laws)

Citizenship by real estate investment is one of the fastest, safest, and most beneficial pathways for foreign investors seeking a second citizenship and high-value property assets in Turkey.