Turkish Citizenship through Properties Ownership

At the beginning of 2017, Turkey launched a new program known as “Turkish Citizenship for Investment,”

which was established by the Investment Office under the Turkish Presidency. This program has undergone several

amendments in subsequent years, specifically in 2018, 2019, and 2022.

Among the available investment options for obtaining Turkish citizenship, real estate investment is considered one of the

easiest and most attractive avenues for foreign investors. However, there are several conditions and

regulations that foreign investors must adhere to in order to ensure the legal and smooth

acquisition of Turkish citizenship through this investment, avoiding any legal complications

that could hinder or delay the citizenship granting process.

Turkish Citizenship through Properties Ownership

Turkish Citizenship Law for Foreigners:

In early 2017, Turkey introduced a law that allowed for the granting of Turkish citizenship to

foreign investors through several investment routes, under the unified condition of not divesting

from this investment for at least 3 years from its initiation.

Turkish Citizenship for Investment Program:

This program, initiated by the Investment Office under the Turkish Presidency, aims to encourage foreigners to invest in

Turkey by granting them Turkish citizenship through their choice of investment in one of the following sectors:

1. Real Estate Investment in Turkey: Initially, the program required the purchase of real estate with a minimum
2. value of one million dollars, with a commitment not to sell the property for at least 3 years.
3. Banking Investment: Initially, the law required those interested in banking investment in Turkey to
4. deposit a minimum of three million dollars in any Turkish bank and not withdraw it for a minimum of 3 years.
5. Direct Investment: Establishing a company and employing 100 Turkish workers, with no layoffs within the first 3 years of
6. their employment, along with providing all workers with minimum wages and registering them with the Ministry of Labor.

The New Turkish Citizenship Law of 2023:

The Turkish law on granting citizenship to foreigners has undergone several amendments in recent years,

with the most recent being on May 13, 2022, when the official Turkish Gazette published a decision amending the conditions

for obtaining Turkish citizenship. It now requires fulfilling one of the following conditions:

1. Purchasing real estate valued at no less than 400,000 dollars and refraining from selling it for a period of three years.
2. Depositing 500,000 dollars in any Turkish bank and not withdrawing it for a period of three years.
3. Depositing 500,000 dollars in the Individual Investment Fund and not withdrawing it for 3 years.
4. Establishing a company and employing 50 Turkish workers, with no layoffs within the first 3 years of their employment.

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