Turkish citizenship by investment is available through various programs implemented by the government. If you want to find out more information about the Turkish golden visa and the ways in which you can obtain citizenship through investments, we recommend that you talk to one of our Turkish lawyers. In the following lines you can read some information about citizenship by investment in Turkey and the formalities involved, remembering at the same time that our immigration lawyers in Turkey can help you relocate to this country.
Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)
EU and non-EU nationals can apply for Turkish citizenship.
Business investment option
Opening a company with an investment of at least USD 500,000
Real estate investment option
Available programs, with minimum investments of USD 400,000 in the real estate sector, except state-owned properties
Other investment options (if available)
- purchasing national securities,
- share acquisitions
Living requirement in Turkey
Not specified
Direct citizenship option
Through dedicated investment programs available in Turkey
Direct immigration with family members (YES/NO)
YES
Family members allowed to join the program
- spouses,
- children,
- parents,
- grandparents
Citizenship processing time (approx.)
A few months
Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO)
NO
What is a DAB document?
An official bank document showing the USD amount of investment is converted into Turkish lira
Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO)
YES
Reasons to choose Turkey
- great business climate,
- excellent living conditions,
- solid healthcare system
Personal income tax rate
Progressive tax rate raging from 15% to 35%
Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)
Around 115
How to get citizenship by investment in Turkey
Turkish citizenship by investment is accessible to all those who want to invest in this country and want to obtain this status. Thus, the Turkish Golden Visa assumes the following things:
USD 400,000 is the minimum investment amount in the real estate sector.
The main candidate can also apply for family members, as they must also receive a residence permit.
Turkish citizenship by investments can be obtained in approximately 3-6 months from the date of application.
Once the documents are accepted and the citizenship certificate issued, foreigners can also get the Turkish passport by investment.
Regarding investment in real estate, the purchase of apartments, villas, houses, condominiums, land, and industrial premises is accepted, as long as they are not owned by the Turkish state.
You have the possibility to buy several real estate properties, as long as their value is not less than USD 400,000.
Therefore, you can apply for citizenship by investment in Turkey by accessing the program to buy real estate assets. We advise you to contact one of our immigration lawyers in Turkey to find out more about this. We also remind you that we can help you immigrate to Turkey.
Feel free to discover an infographic on how to get citizenship by investments in Turkey:
Turkish citizenship by investment and money in a bank account
Another option to obtain Turkish citizenship by investment is to open a bank account and deposit USD 500,000. Also with this amount you can access other programs for obtaining a Turkish Golden Visa:
Buying national securities like government bonds of at least USD 500,000.
Opening a company, with a minimum investment of USD 500,000 and the establishment of at least 50 local jobs.
Acquisition of shares of investment funds for USD 500,000. We recommend the preservation of such assets for at least 3 years. Contact us if you need information about a business visa in Turkey.
These options are available to individuals who want to obtain a Turkish passport by investment, specifying that after 3 years of obtaining citizenship, you can close the bank account or sell shares. Our lawyers in Turkey offer you specialized advice for Turkish investment visa and how to relocate to Turkey. You can also watch a video presentation about how to obtain Turkish investment citizenship:
What you need to know when applying for a Turkish golden visa and buying a property
There are various investment programs in Turkey, in exchange for citizenship. Among them, is the possibility to buy a real estate property worth at least USD 400,000. Foreigners interested in this program must know all the conditions in this case. One of them refers to the fact that buying a house in Turkey and issuing the property title are done only after registering the property in question with the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre. On the other hand, it is allowed to draw up a preliminary agreement for the reservation of the property to be purchased.
The property sale-purchase process is concluded in front of the notary where the corresponding document is signed. It is good to know that after the purchase, according to the dedicated investment program, a residence permit in Turkey can be issued. Therefore, those who want a Turkish passport by investment can opt for the purchase of properties. We are here to tell you more about the Turkish golden visa.
Application for family members
Foreign citizens who want to apply for citizenship by investment in Turkey can also enter their family members in the respective application. Spouses, children up to 18 years of age, but also those over 21 who are financially independent are accepted in the program. Parents of applicants for Turkish investment citizenship are also accepted.
Documents required for Turkish citizenship by investment
Those who want to make an investment in Turkey for citizenship must consider the documents solicited by the authorities. One of our lawyers in Turkey can help you here:
Valid passports of both the main applicant and family members are required.
Proof of investments made or to be made in Turkey is required.
The immigration authorities also ask for documents that you have not stayed in Turkey illegally until the time of application.
Each applicant must present a clear criminal record.
Proof of payment of the related fees for the desired visa will be presented.
Where applicable, the applicant must prepare the marriage, divorce, or death certificate.
In this approach, health insurance valid on the territory of Turkey is also needed.
What you need to know is that there are cases in which other conditions are imposed for Turkish citizenship by investment, depending on the applicant's citizenship, type of investment, and business background. That is why it is more than advisable to talk to a Turkish lawyer punctually and ask for information about the minimum investment in Turkey for citizenship.
Turkish passport visa-free countries
Turkey is among the countries with the most powerful passports in the world. Foreign citizens who enjoy the Turkish passport by investment can travel to different countries of the world without having to apply for a visa. In this case, there are about 115 countries with which Turkey has signed agreements in this sense. Turkish passport visa-free countries are a benefit for those who obtain Turkish citizenship and thus can travel without restrictions.
Thus, countries such as Albania Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Cook Islands, El Salvador, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Georgia, Gambia, Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iran, Jamaica, Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Macao, Malaysia, Moldova, Mauritius, Montenegro, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Madagascar, Lebanon, Laos, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Qatar, Rwanda, Oman, Senegal, Seychelles, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe allow entry without a visa for Turkish passport holders. We recommend the legal services offered by our local experts for obtaining the Turkish golden visa and passport.
Turkish investment visa validity
Once the Turkish investment visa is obtained, this visa does not expire. Practically, the respective visa does not need for periodic renewal. As for the Turkish passport by investment, it must be renewed once every 10 years, according to the legislation in force in this regard.
On the other hand, it is good to know that dual citizenship is accepted in Turkey, which means that your current citizenship can be kept. However, you must consider the legislation of the country you come from, and if it stipulates that dual citizenship is not accepted, then you will have to give it up before applying for Turkish citizenship by investment. We invite you to talk to our team about the Turkish passport visa free countries.
Benefits of Turkish Investment Visa
Citizenship by investment in Turkey is quite advantageous for those who prefer this destination. Among the benefits of the Turkish Investment Visa, we mention:
Turkish citizens can travel to 115 countries in the world without needing a visa. Among these countries, we mention Japan, Mexico, and South Korea.
Foreign businessmen have at their disposal a series of business opportunities in Turkey, considering that the country is part of the European Economic Community.
The Turkish passport can be issued within a maximum of 3 months from the date of receipt of the respective citizenship.
The Turkish Investment Visa comes bundled with a permanent residence permit for citizens interested in this status.
Turkish citizens have the opportunity to apply for the US E2 Investment Visa with which they can live, invest or work in the United States of America.
You can also open a UK business once you become a Turkish citizen. Also, having this advantage on board, you can obtain permanent residence in the UK much easier.
We invite you to discuss more about the Turkish golden visa with our attorneys in Turkey. On the other hand, we mention that people over 18 years old, with a clear criminal record, and who have completed due diligence on future investments can apply for a Turkish Investment Visa.
Real estate market overview in Turkey
As mentioned above in this article, citizenship by investment in Turkey can be obtained by comparing real estate in this country. Here are some examples in this regard and estimated prices:
The price for an apartment in Istanbul is around USD 120,000.
Apartments in Ankara have prices around USD 132,000.
You can also turn your attention to Antalya, where a residential apartment can have a price around USD 153,000.
In Bodrum, you can purchase a property for over USD 300,000.
We advise you tocontact ourteam of lawyers in Turkey if you want complete information about Turkish citizenship by investment or about Turkish startup visa. Also, those interested in immigration to Turkey have at their disposal our legal support and guidance regarding the formalities.
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Cagatay Altunsoy is the the co-founder and coordinator of CS Yonetim ve Destek Hizmetleri and he is an experienced specialist in company formation and business consulting services provided for foreign investors all over the world.