Citizenship

Turkish Citizenship

Turkish citizenship may be acquired through investment or by other legal methods set out in the Turkish Citizenship Law. The application route varies depending on the applicant’s circumstances, including investment, marriage, long-term residence, exceptional citizenship, or other legal grounds.

Turkish citizenship offers a wide range of benefits for investors, entrepreneurs, and their families.

Benefits of Turkish Citizenship

• Travel to more than 110 countries and territories with a Turkish passport, either visa-free or with a visa on arrival.
• Under the E-2 Visa Treaty between Türkiye and the United States, eligible Turkish citizens may apply for an E-2 Investor Visa by making a qualifying investment in the USA.
• Turkish citizenship may provide business people with advantages when applying for business visas, particularly for the United Kingdom and many other countries.
• The spouse and children under the age of 18 of the main applicant may obtain Turkish citizenship under the same application.
• Türkiye recognises dual citizenship, allowing eligible applicants to retain their existing nationality while becoming Turkish citizens.
• A Turkish passport can generally be issued within a short period. Depending on the type of application, the citizenship process is typically completed within 3 to 7 months.
• There is no requirement to reside in Türkiye after obtaining Turkish citizenship. You may continue living in another country while retaining your Turkish citizenship.
• Turkish citizens enjoy a wide range of legal rights, including access to education, healthcare, social security, property ownership, inheritance rights, and commercial activities under the laws of the Republic of Türkiye.

Turkish Citizenship by Investment

The Turkish Citizenship by Investment Programme enables foreign investors who meet the required investment criteria to obtain Turkish citizenship for themselves and their eligible family members. The main applicant, spouse, and children under the age of 18 may all qualify under the same application.

Applications for Turkish citizenship by investment are generally completed within 3 to 7 months, depending on the assessment process of the relevant government authorities.

Turkish Citizenship by Investment Requirements

Foreign investors may apply for Turkish citizenship by meeting at least one of the following investment requirements:

• Purchase real estate worth USD 400,000 or more, provided that it is not sold for at least three years.
• Deposit USD 500,000 or more in a Turkish bank and maintain the deposit for at least three years.
• Make a fixed capital investment of USD 500,000 or more.
• Invest USD 500,000 or more in Turkish government bonds.
• Employ at least 50 Turkish citizens, based on the official employment records of the previous six months.

Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate Investment Process

1. Property Selection

We provide professional consultancy to help investors identify residential, commercial, office, warehouse, land, or agricultural properties that qualify for Turkish citizenship.

Even if the investor selects the property independently, our lawyers conduct a detailed legal and technical review to confirm its suitability for a citizenship application. Multiple properties may be purchased to satisfy the minimum investment requirement.

Important: The purchase process should not begin before obtaining professional advice regarding whether the selected property qualifies for Turkish citizenship.

2. Legal Consultancy and Lawyer Support

Our experienced lawyers provide legal support throughout every stage of the citizenship application.

We protect the investor’s legal rights throughout the process. Where the investor already has legal representation, we work in full cooperation with their lawyer.

3. Obtaining a Potential Tax Number

A Turkish potential tax number is obtained on behalf of the investor through the Tax Office or the online tax system.

4. Opening a Bank Account

Opening a Turkish bank account is not mandatory for a citizenship application.

However, where the investment funds will be transferred to Türkiye, we strongly recommend opening a Turkish bank account.

5. Notarised Power of Attorney

To complete the application process, the investor must grant a notarised Power of Attorney to RL Consultancy and the appointed lawyer.

The Power of Attorney may be issued:

• Before a Turkish Notary Public in Türkiye, or
• At a Turkish Consulate in the investor’s country of residence.

The draft Power of Attorney is prepared by our office. We recommend that no legal documents be prepared before consulting us.

6. Signing the Sale Agreement

Once the investor approves the purchase, the Sale Agreement is signed either by the investor or by the authorised lawyer acting on the investor’s behalf.

7. Completion of the Title Deed Transfer

The title deed transfer is completed at the Turkish Land Registry Office.

If requested, our lawyers may complete the transaction under a Power of Attorney or accompany the investor throughout the title deed transfer process.

8. Property Valuation Report

Before purchasing the property, an official valuation report prepared by an SPK-licensed valuation company is mandatory for Turkish citizenship applications.

The valuation report includes an assessment of:

• The market value of the property
• Title deed records
• Whether there are any restrictions or encumbrances preventing the sale
• The legal status and characteristics of the property

9. Registration of the Three-Year Sale Restriction

A restriction preventing the sale of the property for three years is registered with the Land Registry Office as required under the Turkish Citizenship by Investment Programme.

This process is monitored and completed by our legal team.

10. Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change issues the Certificate of Eligibility after reviewing the following:

• Property valuation report
• Sale price stated in the title deed
• Proof of payment (bank transfer receipts)

Important Notice

Before purchasing the property, the foreign currency corresponding to the investment amount must be sold to a bank operating in Türkiye at the official exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Türkiye. The relevant bank receipts must be retained as part of the citizenship application.

11. Preparation of the Citizenship Application Documents

All required documents for the main applicant, spouse, and children under the age of 18 are prepared, and the citizenship application file is completed.

12. Obtaining the Investor Residence Permit

Before submitting the citizenship application, an Investor Residence Permit must be obtained.

This process is handled by our lawyers under the Power of Attorney. The applicant must personally attend the Immigration Office with our lawyer to provide biometric fingerprints.

13. Submission of the Turkish Citizenship Application

The completed application file is submitted to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality.

Applicants may choose a Turkish first name and surname if they wish.

14. Assessment of the Application

The application file is reviewed by the relevant government authorities for security and administrative compliance.

Once all necessary investigations have been completed, the Turkish citizenship application is finalised.

15. Issuance of the Turkish Passport and National Identity Card

Once the application has been approved, the investor and eligible family members complete the biometric registration process.

The following documents are then issued:

• Turkish National Identity Card
• Turkish Passport

These documents may be collected either in Türkiye or through Turkish Embassies or Consulates abroad.

Why RL Consultancy?

Since 2010, our team of specialists has been providing professional consultancy services in Turkish Citizenship, Citizenship by Investment, Residence Permits, and Work Permits.

We closely follow the latest legislation and administrative practices, providing comprehensive professional support throughout every stage of the investment process—from the initial investment decision to the successful completion of the Turkish citizenship application.