How to Get Turkish Citizenship by Buying Property in Istanbul
Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is for foreign buyers who invest in property in Turkey. As Turkey’s economic and cultural center, Istanbul is one of the most attractive investment destinations.
Now, eligible buyers can obtain Turkish passports for themselves and their families within 3 to 6 months with real estate investments starting from $400,000.
This step-by-step guide outlines how to gain Turkish citizenship through property investment, and clarifies key legal and financial considerations.
1. Key Requirements for Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment
✔ Economic Commitment: $400,000 total through the acquisition of one or more properties
✔ Property Limitations: The property in question must be residential or commercial and not in any military-restricted zone.
✔ Commitment to Ownership: The investor has to hold onto the property for a minimum of 3 years before selling it.
✔ Holding the property under valuation: Valuation of property must be conducted at the highest official level authority which can provide the implementation of property by a registered mail agent.
✔ Payment Rules: The investment cannot receive in cash, it must hit a Turkish bank and a bank receipt (Dekont) 세많아서 as proof
✅ Who Can Apply? It is available to citizens of most countries, with additional restrictions for certain nationalities.
2. Step-by-Step Process to Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment
Step 1: Choose and Purchase an Eligible Property (1 to 2 Weeks)
The initial step is to choose an Istanbul property that qualifies.
✔ Partner with a reputable real estate agent to begin exploring homes above the $400,000 mark.
✔ Check that the property has a clean (Tapu) title deed and meets government valuation requirements.
✔ Pay with a Turkish bank transfer (cash payments are not accepted).
✅ Note: You can buy several properties as long as they total to $400,000 investment.
Step 2: Obtain an Official Property Valuation Report (3 to 5 Days)
A Real estate valuation report (Ekspertiz Raporu) issued by a government-authorized appraiser is required to apply for citizenship.
✔ Ensures the property’s official value is at least $400,000 or more.
✔ Guards against sellers fraudulently overpricing.
✔ The report is valid for three months.
✅ Quick tip: Ask for this report before you do a final purchase to confirm that your property meets the requirements.
Step 3: Apply for the Certificate of Conformity (5 to 10 Days)
After the acquisition of the property, a Certificate of Conformity is required from the General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (Tapu Office) for the buyer.
✔ Submit the property valuation report and bank transfer proofs.
✔ Approval from the Tapu Office that the property is suitable for citizenship.
✔ Upon approval, the buyer will be granted the Certificate of Conformality which is needed for the citizenship application.
✅ Tip: If you want to speed up this process and less mistakes, you can work with a real estate lawyer.
Step 4: Obtain a Turkish Residence Permit (1 to 2 Weeks)
It is worth noting that the residence permit must be obtained before applying for citizenship.
✔ Apply at the Turkish Directorate of Migration Management.
✔ Required documents:
- Title deed (Tapu)
- Bank transfer receipts
- Real estate valuation report
- Passport and biometric photos
✅ Leave-pass: This is a legal document that allows you to stay legally in Turkish territory until the completion of the application and acceptance of your application for permanent residence.
Step 5: Submit Your Citizenship Application (3 to 6 Months)
After completing the property-related formalities, you will apply for citizenship at the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs.
✔ Required documents:
- Passport with notarized translation
- Turkish Tax ID Number
- Certificate of Conformity
- Bank transfer proof
- Residence permit approval
- Biometric photos
✔ Turkish government background check and document verification after submission.
✔ Upon Approval, you obtain your Turkish Passport and National ID.
✅ Duration: Normally, citizenship takes around 3 to 6 months to get approved.
3. Benefits of Turkish Citizenship by Property Investment
✔ Visa-Free Access: With a Turkish passport, you can enter more than 110 countries without a visa or get a visa on arrival, including Japan, South Korea, and nearly all Latin American countries.
✔ Dual Citizenship: The Turkish passport allows dual citizenship so that you can keep your own nationality.
✔ No Minimum Stay: Turkey doesn’t require you to stay in the country as some of citizenship programs.
✔ Turkish Healthcare and Education Access: Public healthcare and education are free.
✔ Family Members Citizenship: Your spouse and children under 18 will also be granted Turkish citizenship.
✅ Long-term benefit: After 3 years, you can sell the property and maintain your Turkish citizenship indefinitely.
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Citizenship by Investment
❌ Buying a Property Below $400,000
Some buyers even purchase properties slightly below the required value, which results in citizenship rejection.
✅ Solution: Pick properties around the $405,000 to $410,000 range, so you will be above the threshold.
❌ Paying in Cash or to a Non-Turkish Bank Account
Citizenship is not allowed if cash payment is provided and all payments should be performed by a Turkish bank transfer.
✅ Solution: Use bank transfer receipts to make payments publicly documented.
❌ Not Verifying the Property’s Legal Status
Some of these properties may face legal litigations, unpaid debts and/or missing habitation licenses (İskan Belgesi).
✅ Solution: Partner with a real estate attorney to do due diligence.
❌ Delaying the Application Process
Therer must be a swift registration of the property purchase, and a timely initiation of the citizenship process to stave off any regulatory shifts.
✅ Solution: Follow up on all valuation reports, legal checks and applications.
5. Final Thoughts: Is Turkish Citizenship by Investment Worth It?
For foreign investors, acquiring Turkish citizenship by real estate is a swift, and competitively priced alternative to other citizenship by investment programs.
✔ Accelerated process (3 to 6 months).
✔ You’re not required to maintain a residency (live anywhere in the world).
✔ Dual citizenship benefits.
✔ Strong investment market with a profitable real estate market.
Foreign investors who take the right steps and work with the appropriate experts can successfully acquire Turkish citizenship along with an economic real estate investment in Istanbul.