Here are all the ways you can invest in Turkey in order to obtain Turkish citizenship, according to the official government guide:

• You can make a capital investment – If you make a fixed capital investment of at least $500,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency), and this is verified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
• You can make a real estate purchase – You can buy real estate worth at least $400,000 (or equivalent) with a three-year no-sale title deed restriction, verified by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.
• You can create jobs – If you create at least 50 jobs in Turkey, verified by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
• You can deposit money in a Turkish bank – If you deposit at least $500,000 (or equivalent) in a Turkish bank and commit to not withdrawing it for at least three years, so long as this is verified by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.
• You can buy government bonds – If you buy government bonds worth at least $500,000 (or equivalent), and agree not to sell them for at least three years, so long as this is verified by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
• You can invest in a real estate fund – You can invest in a Turkish real estate investment fund or venture capital fund with shares worth at least $500,000 (or equivalent) and holding them for at least three years, verified by the Capital Markets Board of Türkiye.
• You can invest in a designated fund – If you invest at least $500,000 (or equivalent) in a fund designated by the Insurance and Private Pension Regulation and Supervision Agency and keep it in the private pension system for at least three years, you will be eligible for Turkish citizenship.

In theory, the least expensive way by far is buying a property in Turkey. The minimum investment is $400,000, whereas other investments start at $500,000. You will have to weigh the various options and see which one best suits your personal situation.

Turkish citizenship offers generous benefits to all and it is relatively easy to obtain. Take a look at what Turkish citizenship through investment provides:

• The permanent right to live, work, and reside in Turkey with no visa or permit
• A Turkish passport with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110+ countries
• Unrestricted employment and business ownership (no work permits or foreigner limits)
• Full property ownership rights, including land and real estate
• Access to public healthcare (SGK) and social security benefits
• Eligibility for public education and state universities at local tuition rates
• Citizenship extends to spouse and children under 18
• Inheritance and legal rights equal to native citizens
• Right to vote and full civic participation
• Eligibility for government incentives, grants, and public tenders
• Access to local banking, credit, and mortgages without foreigner restrictions
• Dual citizenship permitted (subject to your home country’s rules)
• No worldwide taxation unless tax-resident in Turkey
• Strategic G20 country location bridging Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

These are just some of the reasons that people pursue citizenship in Turkey.

As with citizenship, there are specific benefits to having a Turkish passport, which opens up global business and investment opportunities. Explore some of these below:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110+ countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, most of Latin America, and parts of Asia and Africa
• Long passport validity (up to 10 years for adults)
• Freedom to live, work, and travel in Turkey with no entry restrictions
• Right to reside abroad indefinitely without losing Turkish citizenship
• Eligibility to apply for the U.S. E-2 Investor Visa (Turkey is a treaty country)
• Faster and easier visas for some countries compared to many developing-nation passports
• Consular protection from Turkish embassies and consulates worldwide
• No requirement to renounce other citizenships (dual citizenship allowed)
• Facilitates international business and banking compared to residence permits
• Access to Turkey’s healthcare, education, and social systems when residing in Turkey
• Strong regional mobility across the Balkans, Middle East, Caucasus, and Central Asia
• Passport of a G20 country with broad diplomatic recognition

Apart from the general benefits of having a Turkish passport, it’s worth explaining where it can get you without a visa – or with generous travel allowances.

Visa-free access to 71 locations. These include Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Argentina, Chile, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Philippines, Peru – and many more.

While the length of stay and other specific conditions apply per country, a Turkish passport gives baseline access to many significant locations across the globe.

Visa on arrival access to 36 locations. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Taiwan, Lebanon, Egypt and  Bangladesh – plus many more.

Visa on arrival access means that Turkish citizens can usually obtain a visa at the airport or at the relevant border crossing point. They will not need to have made a prior application.

Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to 5 locations. These include Kenya, Mexico, Saint, Kitts and Nevis, South Korea and Sri Lanka.

Similar to visa-free access, an ETA allows Turkish passport holders to fill out an online authorisation form prior to travel, and gain access to the country without a visa.

The process for obtaining a Turkish passport by investment depends upon the route you choose to take, but we outline the general process below.

1. Choose Your Eligibility Route

As mentioned, you will need to choose one of several legitimate routes to gaining Turkish citizenship by investment. These include:

• Real estate purchase
• Bank deposit
• Capital investment
• Government bonds
• Business/job creation

2. Engage legal and real-estate professionals

You’ll need experienced estate agents like James & Aysegul if you go down the property investment route, as well as an experienced Turkish lawyer who is conversant in your language.

3. Obtain a Turkish Tax Number

Apply for a personal tax number in Turkey. This is required for nearly all major investment transactions, and often has to be cited in the application process. You can apply for a tax number online, with the provision of a few personal details.

4. Open a Turkish Bank Account

Open an account in your name with a Turkish bank to transfer investment funds. Moving the money into or through a Turkish bank is often part of the Terms & Conditions for obtaining citizenship by investment.

5. Make the Investment

Complete the chosen investment, following the specific rules applicable to your situation – such as  purchasing a property and registering the title deed or depositing funds, buying bonds or making a capital investment. You will need to comply with holding requirements. This means you do not move your investment for a set period of time (usually 3 years).

6. Obtain Investment Compliance Certificate

Apply to the relevant government authority to confirm that your investment meets citizenship requirements (e.g. for property you can get a specific eligibility certificate as part of the process).

7. Apply for Short-Term Residence Permit

Submit a residence permit application based on your investment. This may seem odd, as you are already applying for full citizenship, but this is nonetheless a mandatory step you need to take.

8. Submit Citizenship Application

Submit application for Turkish citizenship through the Provincial Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, including:

• All relevant, personal documents
• Investment compliance certificate
• Residence permit

9. Background Checks & Review

Turkish authorities will then conduct security and administrative checks, which may take several months.

10. Approval of Citizenship

Upon approval, citizenship is granted by Presidential decision, making you and eligible family members Turkish citizens. Congratulations!

11. Obtain Turkish Passport & ID

Once you have been granted Turkish citizenship, you are able to apply for a Turkish ID card and Turkish passport.

There are two relevant timelines to cite here:

1. How long it takes to acquire citizenship
2. How long it takes to obtain a passport after citizenship is granted

In answer to the first question, timelines can vary between 3-12 months. This accounts for potential delays which can be caused (such as by submitting paperwork incorrectly), as well as the bureaucratic process itself. Some applicants who enlist experienced agents like James & Aysegul (as well as a good lawyer) could see their application approved in just a couple of months. Others, though, might have to wait longer.

This is why it is important to have the right guidance, information and advice before initiating your application.

On the other hand, obtaining your passport is often relatively quick, often taking around 1 month. You will need to apply for a digital ID using the Letter of Approval for citizenship, and then you will be able to apply for the passport itself.

As with any country, try to avoid peak passport application times to avoid delays with your application.

Nearly. The vast majority of countries are eligible to obtain Turkish citizenship by investment, so long as you have the correct funds and follow the legal process for gaining citizenship.

If you are a US or UK citizen – common applicants of the programme – you have nothing to worry about and you should get your citizenship without a hitch.

However, people from these countries are explicitly banned from the programme: Syria, North Korea, Nigeria, Armenia, and Cuba.

What about personal eligibility requirements?

The personal eligibility requirements are fairly simple. The investor must be 18 or over, pass the criminal record checks, have a legal source of funds, and apply while legally residing in Turkey. Compared to other countries, this is very generous.

There are various documents you will need to provide for your citizenship application. Some of these will apply for everyone, others will be relevant depending upon the kind of investment you make.

Many of the investments require their own checks and you will receive certification which you must submit as part of your application.

Here are the basic documents you will need:

• Completed Turkish citizenship application form
• Valid passport (original & notarised Turkish translation)
• Birth certificate (apostilled, plus notarised Turkish translation)
• Marital status document, as applicable: Apostilled (plus a notarised Turkish translation of) Marriage certificage, Divorce decree, or Spouse’s death certificate.
• Family registration & proof of family relationship (e.g. for spouse and dependent children)
• Biometric passport photographs
• Criminal record & police clearance certificate (from country of citizenship, apostilled, plus a notarised Turkish translation)
• Health insurance valid in Turkey
• Turkish Tax Identification Number
• Proof of residential address (if requested)
• Government application fee payment receipts

Then depending upon your investment, you will likely need these documents. These verify that your investment qualifies you for citizenship:

If applying via real estate investment:

• Title deed (Tapu) showing ownership
• Property valuation report
• Certificate of Conformity (issued by relevant Turkish authority)
• Bank transfer receipts showing payment through Turkish banks
• Declaration confirming 3-year holding commitment
• Mortgage/no-encumbrance letter (if applicable)

If applying via bank deposit, bonds or funds:

• Official bank letter or account statement
• Certificate confirming minimum investment amount and 3-year holding period
• Certificate of Conformity from the relevant authority

If applying via business investment or job creation:

• Company registration documents
• Investment or capital contribution certificates
• Payroll records & employment confirmation documents
• Certificate of Conformity from the relevant authority

This is a complex issue which requires guidance from legal and financial advisers. However, there are some general rules for UK and US investors, who frequently apply for citizenship in Turkey.

For UK citizens:

Because of a ‘double taxation agreement’, UK citizens with Turkish citizenship are only taxed in Turkey on Turkish-sourced income, unless they become tax residents by spending more than 183 days per year in Turkey.

Key points:

• Simply obtaining Turkish citizenship doesn’t automatically make you a Turkish tax resident
  Turkish tax residency is triggered if you stay in Turkey without interruption for more than six months in a calendar year.
• UK citizens retain their existing tax obligations in the UK, based on their UK tax residency status.
• The UK allows dual citizenship, so there are no complications from holding both passports.

For US Citizens:

The situation for Americans is considerably more complex due to citizenship-based taxation. US dual citizens must file US tax returns every year and report all money earned anywhere in the world, regardless of where they live. This means obtaining Turkish citizenship doesn’t reduce your US tax obligations.