Türkiye citizenship by property investment in 2026

Türkiye offers one of the few citizenship by investment routes outside the Caribbean and the Pacific, and it is the largest economy to do so. Its programme is built primarily around real estate, though financial and business investments also qualify. As of October 2026 the published thresholds remain those set by the Presidential decision that took effect in 2022, and the process continues to be administered through the Investment Office of the Presidency, the Land Registry and the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.

Türkiye is one of several routes we compare with the Caribbean programmes in our overview of Caribbean citizenship by investment and the EU deadline. The checks common to most programmes are described in our article on citizenship due diligence.

The qualifying investments

According to the Investment Office of the Presidency, foreign nationals may apply for Turkish citizenship by making one of the following investments:

• purchasing real estate with a value of at least US$400,000, with a commitment not to sell it for three years;
• making a fixed capital investment of at least US$500,000, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology;
• depositing at least US$500,000 in Turkish banks, held for three years;
• buying government debt instruments of at least US$500,000, held for three years;
• purchasing real estate investment fund or venture capital fund units of at least US$500,000, held for three years;
• creating employment for at least 50 people, confirmed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

The real estate route is by far the most widely used. Several properties may be combined to reach the threshold, provided each is acquired as part of the qualifying investment and the rules on valuation and payment are met.

How the property route works in practice

The purchase must be supported by an official valuation report from a licensed appraisal firm, and the value used for citizenship purposes is assessed against that report. Payment is generally made in foreign currency and converted through a Turkish bank, with the documentation used to show that the investment amount has been met.

Once the title deed is issued, the Land Registry annotates it with a restriction preventing sale for three years. A certificate of conformity is then issued, which is the key document for the residence and citizenship applications. The applicant first obtains a short-term residence permit on the basis of the investment and then applies for citizenship.

Who can be included

The investor’s spouse and children under 18 can be included in the same application. Parents and adult children are not covered as dependants under the citizenship route and would need to consider other residence or citizenship channels.

How other programmes define a qualifying family is compared in our guide to family members in citizenship programmes.

The sequence of steps

Although each case differs, the process usually follows a recognisable order.

• Obtaining a Turkish tax number and opening a bank account.
• Selecting the property and commissioning the official valuation report.
• Transferring funds and completing the purchase at the Land Registry.
• Annotating the three-year restriction on the title deed and obtaining the certificate of conformity.
• Applying for the investor residence permit and then for citizenship, with biometric data and civil documents.

Documents issued abroad, such as birth and marriage certificates, normally need to be apostilled or legalised and translated into Turkish by a sworn translator. Time spent at each stage depends on the documents and the volume of applications.

For a structured overview of the route, our Türkiye citizenship page sets out each stage from property selection to the passport application.

Points to weigh

Türkiye permits dual citizenship, and naturalised citizens hold the same rights as other nationals. Several practical considerations nevertheless shape the decision.

• Travel access. A Turkish passport does not currently provide visa-free access to the Schengen area, so it serves different purposes from Caribbean or European options.
• Currency and market risk. The investment is denominated in US dollars at entry but the property is located in a market where the lira has been volatile.
• Exit planning. After three years the property may be sold, but resale value and timing should be considered at the outset.
• Military service. Male citizens may be subject to national service obligations, with paid exemption options available under Turkish law.

Our Türkiye citizenship page summarises the documents typically requested.

Readers comparing property-based routes can also read our article on Caribbean real estate investment routes.

If you would like to talk through how these rules might apply to your own circumstances, our team would be glad to help. You can call +357 979 42 388 or write to us through our contact page.

Sources

• Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, Acquiring property and citizenship, as of October 2026.
• Investment Office, Guide to foreign citizens’ acquisition of Turkish citizenship.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Figures are stated as of 2026 and may change; confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and an independent adviser before acting. AT Express is a private consultancy and is not affiliated with any government or official programme.

Featured image: “Bosphorus, Istanbul (P1100293)” by Matti Blume, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.