Turkish Citizenship by Investment - European Passport in 4 Months
Want to get a reliable second passport that will open doors to Europe, the Middle East and Asia without visas and complicated bureaucratic procedures? The Turkish citizenship by investment program is one of the fastest and most accessible paths to the status of a citizen of a powerful and promising country.
The process takes only 4 months, does not require renouncing your current citizenship, and applies to the entire family: spouse, children under 18, and, if necessary, parents. The main route is to purchase real estate from $400,000, which can be rented out or sold after 3 years. Other options include bank deposits, business investments, and investments in securities. Our team accompanies you at all stages: from choosing a property to obtaining a passport. We work only with licensed agents, guaranteeing transparency, protection of interests, and full compliance with Turkish legislation.
Benefits of Turkish Citizenship
Turkey’s citizenship by investment program is one of the fastest in the world. You can get a passport in just 3-6 months after applying, with no residency, language or interview requirements. The main thing is to meet the investment requirements.
Citizenship is granted not only to the main applicant, but also to the spouse and children under 18. It is also possible to obtain passports for other relatives, subject to certain conditions.
With a Turkish passport, you get visa-free travel to over 110 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, Qatar and others. And with the E-2 business visa to the United States (available only to citizens of partner countries), opportunities open up for living and working in America.
Turkey has no global income tax, which is beneficial for investors with assets abroad. There is no inheritance tax between immediate family members, and there are favorable tax regimes for businesses, especially in free trade zones.
With the Turkish real estate investment, you not only fulfill the condition for obtaining citizenship, but also acquire an asset with an increasing market value. The property can be rented out or sold after 3 years, while retaining citizenship. This makes the investment a double asset – financial and legal.
Turkey is a country with a developed infrastructure, a high level of medicine and education, a warm climate, and rich cultural life. Turkish citizens can live in Istanbul, vacation in Antalya or invest in new developing regions. The level of security, medical care and international recognition of the Turkish passport is constantly growing.
Türkiye allows dual citizenship. You can keep your current passport without giving up your rights in your home country. Turkish authorities do not share information about obtaining a second citizenship, which ensures the confidentiality of the procedure.
Who can apply for Turkish citizenship?
The principal applicant is the person making the investment and submitting the application on their own behalf. The following mandatory conditions apply to them:
- Age: not less than 18 years old.
- Legal source of funds: the applicant must confirm that the invested funds were obtained legally: through the sale of assets, savings or business income.
- No criminal record: the person must not have a criminal record, especially for serious crimes or financial fraud.
- No violations of Turkish immigration laws: Previous submission of false information or deportation may affect the decision on the application.
- Passing due diligence: carried out by both the Turkish authorities and the inspection agent at the submission stage.
The Turkish citizenship by investment program allows for passports to be issued not only to the main investor, but also to immediate relatives:
- Spouse of the main applicant.
- Children under 18 years of age – regardless of whether they were born in marriage or out of wedlock, subject to confirmation of kinship.
- Adult disabled children who are dependents – allowed upon presentation of medical documents.
- Other relatives (parents, brothers/sisters) are not included in the main package, but can apply for citizenship separately, after the main applicant receives a passport.
Each person included in the Turkish citizenship application also undergoes a background check, provides documents, and is included in the overall package for consideration. All family members listed in the application receive full passports with rights similar to those of natural citizens: medical care, education, the right to run a business, purchase real estate, etc.
Our legal team will help you go through the entire process quickly, without errors and with full confidence in the result. We will tell you how to correctly collect documents, who can be included in the application, and also provide support at every stage: from consultation to receiving a passport.
Main ways to obtain Turkish citizenship
Since 2017, Turkey’s citizenship by investment program has attracted thousands of investors thanks to moderate investment thresholds, lenient due diligence, and the ability to obtain a second passport in 3-4 months. Turkish law offers several investment options, each with its own characteristics, minimum amounts, and requirements.
Neither route requires passing exams, living in the country, or renouncing current citizenship. Türkiye allows dual citizenship and does not share naturalization information with other countries.
Our legal team helps investors from Europe, the CIS and the Middle East to get Turkish citizenship without risks and delays. We will select the best Turkish citizenship program, check the legal purity of objects and transactions, and support at all stages: from submitting documents to receiving a passport.
The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship
Initial consultation and choice of investment path
The first step is to analyze your situation and goals. Not only is the budget important, but also the composition of the family, tax aspects, and personal preferences. A lawyer helps to choose the best option to acquire Turkish citizenship: real estate investment, a bank deposit, bonds, or a business structure. Also at this stage, a preliminary due diligence is carried out to minimize the risk of refusal.
Opening an account and preparing the investment
Depending on the chosen path, it is necessary:
- Open a bank account in Turkey.
- Select a property or investment structure.
- Prepare documents confirming the legality of the origin of funds.
A lawyer accompanies the entire process, checks objects, prepares contracts, and registers investments in state registries.
Making investments and receiving a confirmation certificate
After completing the transaction, you must obtain an official certificate of conformity from the relevant ministry:
- Ministry of Environment and Urbanization (for real estate),
- Banking Agency of Turkey (BDDK) – for deposits,
- Ministry of Finance – for bonds.
This document confirms that the investment meets the requirements for participation in the Turkish Republic citizenship program.
Applying for a Turkish residence permit
Before applying for citizenship, you must obtain a residence permit in Turkey. It is issued on the basis of an already completed investment. The procedure is fast – up to 1 week. In this case, physical residence in the country is not required, only the presence of a document.
Apply for Turkey citizenship
After receiving a residence permit, the main package of documents for citizenship is submitted to the General Directorate of Citizenship Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey. Submission is carried out through an authorized legal representative (licensed agent).
Benevolence check and approval
The Turkish government conducts a Due Diligence procedure, checking biographical data, sources of income and legality of funds. On average, this procedure takes from 60 to 90 days. After a successful check, a decision is made on granting citizenship.
Obtaining a Turkish passport
Once the Turkish citizenship application is approved, the applicant and the family members included in it receive a citizenship certificate and can apply for a Turkish passport. The procedure for obtaining the Turkish passport takes up to 2 weeks. The passport can be obtained in Turkey or through the consulate with a power of attorney.
Our team accompanies clients at every stage: from investment planning to obtaining a Turkish passport. We work directly with government agencies, guarantee compliance with all procedures, submit documents without errors, and take on the entire bureaucratic process.
What documents will be needed?
To apply for Turkish citizenship by investment, you must provide the following documents:
- The applicant’s international passport – a copy of all pages, certified by a notary and translated into Turkish.
- Birth certificate – original, apostilled and translated into Turkish.
- Photos – 4-6 pieces, standard 50×60 mm, white background, without headwear.
- A certificate of no criminal record from the country of citizenship and all countries where the applicant has lived for more than 6 months over the past 5 years.
- Certificate of marital status (marriage/divorce certificate, documents about children).
- Documents confirming the source of funds – income certificates, tax returns, bank statements, sales contracts.
- Investment confirmation document – depends on the type of investment (contract and certificate of ownership of real estate, bank deposit with statement and confirmation of freezing of funds, certificate for government bonds).
All foreign documents must be apostilled (or legalized for countries outside the Hague Convention) and officially translated into Turkish with notarization.
If a family is applying for Turkish Nationality together with the main applicant, it is necessary to prepare documents for each member:
- Passports and birth certificates;
- Certificates of no criminal record (if over 16 years of age);
- Documents confirming relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children);
- Photographs (similar to the applicant requirements).
If the application includes adult children, parents, or other dependents, additional evidence of dependency (medical certificates, financial documents, etc.) must also be included.
Preparing documents for obtaining Turkish citizenship is a labor-intensive and legally sensitive process. Our team of experienced lawyers conducts an initial check of documents and advises which certificates need to be updated, organizes apostille and translations in Turkey, prepares forms, questionnaires and submits documents directly to government agencies, ensures minimization of the risks of refusal at the reliability check stage.
Taxes and financial features
One of the key advantages of Turkish citizenship for foreign investors is its flexible and loyal tax system. Unlike some Western countries, Turkey does not tax worldwide income. Residents pay taxes only on income earned in the country. This makes Turkey an attractive jurisdiction for those who do business abroad and want to reduce their tax burden.
There are moderate income tax rates for individuals and a corporate tax rate of 20% for companies. There are tax optimization mechanisms, such as incentives for new investors, special economic zones and double taxation treaties signed with more than 80 countries.
A separate advantage is that Turkey does not require renunciation of previous citizenship, allowing you to retain all the benefits of status in another country. It is also important for foreign citizens that there are no inheritance taxes in Turkey on assets outside the country, and there is no tax on gifts between close relatives.
If you are considering Turkey as a new tax residence or want to protect your assets, our team will help you find the best solution and provide full legal support.
Turkish Citizenship: Access to the US and UK
Turkish passport holders get access to an E-2 visa to the United States. This is a special visa for investors that allows you to open a business in America and live there with your family. Although Turkey is not part of the EU, it has a bilateral agreement with the United States that makes this option possible within a few months of receiving citizenship.
Equally important is access to the UK market. Turkish citizens can take advantage of the UK Turkish Businessperson Visa (formerly the Ankara Agreement), which allows them to start a business and obtain long-term residency in the UK. Despite the changes following Brexit, opportunities for Turkish entrepreneurs remain significantly greater than for third-country nationals.
Additionally, Turkey provides a favorable geographical location between Europe, Asia and the Middle East, making its citizenship a strategic tool for international expansion. Turkish citizens can more easily obtain business visas, open bank accounts and register companies in a number of EU countries, the Middle East and North Africa. We are ready to offer comprehensive support and select the best solution for your situation.
FAQ
Yes, Turkish law allows an investor to purchase one or more real estate properties if the total value under the registered purchase and sale agreement is at least $400,000. The main thing is that all properties must be registered in the Unified Land Cadastre in the name of the applicant and not be subject to sale for 3 years.
In most cases, yes. However, there are VAT exemptions for foreign investors if certain conditions are met (first property in Turkey, payment from abroad, no Turkish residency). We will help you assess whether your transaction falls under these exemptions and prepare the documents for tax exemption.
If a child is included in the application and is dependent on the main applicant, he/she will receive citizenship at the same time as the parents. This applies to both minors and adult children, provided that the dependency (education or disability) is confirmed.
After the mandatory ownership period (3 years) has passed, the property can be sold or donated without losing citizenship. It is important that there are no encumbrances or attempts to alienate it within 3 years, otherwise this may affect the legality of citizenship.
Yes, as with any investment program, there is a risk of rejection, especially if the applicant provides false information or does not pass the due diligence check. However, with professional support and preliminary due diligence, such risks can be minimized.
Yes, renting out property is permitted and can provide additional income, even during the mandatory three-year ownership period. The main thing is to ensure that the lease agreement is properly legally executed and tax requirements are met.