Updated 21 May 2026Turkish citizenship by investment
Citizenship through a property investment from US$400,000. The property can be rented out during the three-year holding period and sold afterwards without affecting citizenship.
Alesya Razinkevich
Prepared byAuthor of guides to property and residence programmes
Mikhail Bulanov
Reviewed byCo-founder and managing partner of Tranio, real estate investment expert
from US$400,000
Minimum qualifying property value
6–9 months
Indicative time from purchase to passport
Return after 3 years
The property can be sold while citizenship is retained
Nationality screening
Eligibility is subject to due diligence and sanctions checks
How the Turkish programme works
Discuss your optionsTürkiye launched its citizenship-by-investment programme in 2017. The most widely used route is the purchase of qualifying property worth at least US$400,000. The property must be held for three years; it can then be sold without affecting citizenship.
Unlike contribution-based programmes, the Turkish route leaves the investor with an asset that can be rented out during the holding period. The final return depends on the purchase price, rental income, taxes, transaction costs and resale value.
Turkish citizens may qualify to apply for a US E-2 investor visa, but this is a separate immigration process requiring a substantial investment in a US business. Applicants who acquired Turkish citizenship through investment generally need to have been domiciled in Türkiye for three continuous years before applying under the E-2 treaty.
A Turkish passport can form part of a wider residence or business strategy, but it does not guarantee access to bank accounts, visas or third-country residence programmes. Each institution and authority applies its own eligibility and compliance rules.
Property investment
For investors comfortable holding a qualifying property for at least three years
Potential US E-2 route
For entrepreneurs considering a separate US investor-visa application after meeting the treaty requirements
Wider residence strategy
For applicants comparing European and other residence options under the eligibility rules that apply to their nationality
Income-producing asset
The qualifying property can be rented out throughout the three-year holding period
What a Turkish passport offers
US E-2 treaty eligibility
Turkish citizens may apply for an E-2 investor visa. Applicants who acquired Turkish citizenship through investment must also consider the three-year domicile requirement
Additional citizenship
A lifelong status that can support international mobility, business and family planning
Recoverable capital
The property can be sold after three years without affecting citizenship, although the financial result depends on the market and transaction costs
Residence options
A second citizenship may change eligibility for some residence routes, but every application is assessed under the rules in force
Visa-free countries
117 destinationsAfrica
34Europe (not Schengen)
8Asia
28Oceania
10Latin America
17Caribbean
11Middle East
9Source: IATA Timatic. The list includes visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic permits. Standard visas are generally required for the Schengen Area, the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. Check the current rules before travel.
Investment and fees
The threshold of $400,000 is the cadastral value of the property as assessed by TAPU (the state real estate register of Turkey), not the market price of the seller. The actual budget is higher due to mandatory taxes and registration fees.
A VAT refund may be available if the relevant conditions are met. Legal and professional fees are additional. The final calculation depends on the property and the rates in force on the transaction date.
Requirements for the applicant
Main applicant
Age from 18 years
Eligible nationality under the programme rules
No criminal prosecution
Source-of-funds evidence may be requested by banks and authorities
Knowledge of Turkish language or history is not required
Residence in Turkey before or after receipt is not required
Family members in one application
Spouse — must complete biometrics in person
Children under 18 years of age receive citizenship
Children with group I disabilities — no age restrictions
The applicant's parents are not included in the citizenship application
Children over 18 years of age (without disabilities) are not included. A separate residence permit is provided for parents and adult children based on real estate ownership.
Application process
The process usually takes 6–9 months from the property purchase. The transaction and biometrics may require personal attendance, while a representative can handle much of the remaining work.
Step 1 — Property selection and purchase
We select a qualifying property worth at least US$400,000, review the seller and the property’s programme history, obtain a Turkish tax number and coordinate the bank account. Payment is made through a bank and documented with a Döviz Alım Belgesi. Title can be registered in person or by notarised power of attorney.
Step 2 — Assessment and Certificate of Conformity
After title registration, an independent valuation is completed and the authorities issue the Uygunluk Belgesi confirming that the investment meets the programme rules. The applicant also obtains the interim residence status required before the citizenship application.
Step 3 — Citizenship application
The complete file is submitted to the Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The Ministry of the Interior and security authorities complete their checks before a final decision is issued.
Step 4 — Biometrics and passport
The applicant and spouse complete biometrics in person in Türkiye or at an authorised Turkish consulate. The passport is issued after approval. Citizenship is lifelong and can be passed to future children under the applicable rules.
Eligibility, documents and compliance
Check your eligibilityEligibility depends on nationality, residence history, sanctions screening and due diligence. Document legalisation and translation requirements depend on the country of issue.
Documents for the transaction
Passport, Turkish tax number and a suitable bank account. The qualifying payment must follow the official banking procedure and be documented with a Döviz Alım Belgesi
Application documents
Identity and civil-status documents, police clearance certificates and family records, legalised or apostilled as required and translated into Turkish
Biometrics
Biometrics may be completed in Türkiye or at an authorised Turkish consulate, depending on availability
Sanctions
Personal sanctions and other compliance concerns can lead to refusal. Tranio reviews the applicant’s profile before the property transaction
Obligations in your current country
Some countries require citizens or residents to report the acquisition of another citizenship. Applicants should obtain advice on the rules that apply to them
Tax residence, military service and multiple citizenship
Taxes in Turkey
Citizenship does not automatically create Turkish tax residence. Rental income and gains on a future sale may be taxable in Türkiye, so taxes and transaction costs should be included in the investment model
Army
Military-service rules can apply to male Turkish citizens. Age, prior nationality and individual circumstances affect the position, which should be checked before filing
Multiple citizenship
Türkiye recognises multiple citizenship. Applicants should also check the rules and reporting duties of their current country or countries of citizenship
Comparison with alternatives
Türkiye offers a property route with recoverable capital, while São Tomé and Príncipe and Vanuatu use non-refundable contributions. Egypt combines contribution, property, business and deposit options.
| Country | Min. investment | Processing time | Return on investment | Schengen | Nationality restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Türkiye | from $400,000 | 6–9 months | yes, in 3 years | no | yes |
 Egypt | from $250,000 | 6–9 months | yes | no | yes |
 Vanuatu | from $130,000 | 2–4 months | no | no | yes |
 São Tomé and Príncipe | from $90,000 | 2–3 months | no | no | yes |
Both Türkiye and Egypt offer routes that can return capital. Egypt has a lower entry threshold, while Türkiye uses a property route with a three-year holding period. Both can establish US E-2 treaty eligibility, subject to the separate US requirements.
Other citizenship-by-investment options
When to consider other options
01
Your main goal is visa-free travel to the Schengen Area
02
Your budget is below US$400,000
03
You need a faster citizenship route
04
The potential military-service implications are unacceptable
05
You do not want to hold a property for three years
How Tranio can help
Book a consultationThe central decision is the property itself. It must qualify under the programme, have realistic rental potential and remain saleable after the holding period. Tranio combines migration support with local property expertise in Istanbul.
Select properties with realistic rental and resale potential
Check the valuation, seller and programme history
We accompany the transfer through a Turkish bank with the receipt of Döviz Alım Belgesi
Prepare legalisation, translations and powers of attorney
Compare relevant residence options for the next stage
Expert opinion
“Property bought for a citizenship programme should not be treated as a guaranteed growth investment. We focus on a realistic rental case, a defensible valuation and resale liquidity before the client signs the contract.”
Kseniya Nass
Tranio expert on residence and citizenship programmes
Frequently asked questions
Türkiye allows multiple citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your current citizenship under Turkish law. However, the rules vary by country, so you should check whether your country of citizenship permits dual or multiple citizenship and whether any notification requirements apply.
Not directly. The qualifying payment must be made through the official banking route and documented with a Döviz Alım Belgesi. Any crypto assets must first be converted into funds acceptable to the bank, with a clear source-of-funds trail.
Yes. Only sales are prohibited. Renting is legal; rental income in Turkey is subject to local tax — this must be taken into account when calculating profitability.
Yes. Criminal history, sanctions exposure, false information or other due-diligence concerns can lead to refusal. Tranio reviews the case before the client commits to a property.
No. The investment programme exempts you from the language and cultural exam.
The answer depends on age, prior nationality and individual circumstances. Türkiye has a paid military-service mechanism in some cases, but the rules and fees can change. The position should be confirmed before filing.
Both programmes include routes that can return capital. Egypt starts from US$250,000 and offers four options; Türkiye starts from US$400,000 through property. Both can establish E-2 treaty eligibility, subject to the separate US requirements.
Popular residence programmes
The Tranio ecosystem
Residence or citizenship is only one stage. With Tranio, these goals can be addressed by one team.
We select and arrange residence, permanent residence and second citizenship around your goals and long-term plans.
We help you choose and buy overseas property with full transaction support.
We advise on international investments, ownership structures and substantial private wealth.