Türkiye's programme is unusual in that it leads directly to citizenship rather than to a renewable permit. That changes how it should be evaluated.
Qualifying categories
- Real estate above a threshold, held for the defined period
- Fixed capital investment in a business
- Bank deposit in a Turkish bank, held for the defined period
- Government bonds, held for the defined period
- Investment fund units or venture capital fund participation
- Job creation — employing a defined number of people
Categories three, four and five deserve more attention than they get from buyers focused on property: they are simpler, carry no building or seismic risk, and the exit at the end of the holding period is cleaner. The trade-off is no use value and exposure to currency movement on the deposit.
The valuation rule
For property, the official valuation report determines whether the threshold is met — not the contract price. This rule exists because properties were being marketed to foreign buyers at inflated prices specifically to reach the threshold.
Practical consequences:
- Obtain the valuation before committing, not after
- Expect the valuation to be lower than the asking price in the foreign-buyer segment
- Budget above the threshold so a lower valuation does not sink the file
Conditions that apply throughout
- The holding period — recorded as a restriction on the title deed for property
- Payment through the banking system with proper documentation, including required currency conversion steps
- Clean record and no immigration bars
- Seller eligibility — certain transactions between foreign nationals do not qualify
The last is a real trap: buying from another foreign national, or from a company they control, can disqualify the transaction. Verify the seller's status before signing.
Who is included
Generally the applicant, their spouse, and children below the age of majority. Adult children are not included and would need their own route — worth confirming before assuming a family is covered.
Confirm the current terms
Thresholds and holding periods in this programme have been revised more than once, in both directions. Treat any undated source as unusable and confirm current terms in writing with a lawyer before planning around a figure.
Need a tailored roadmap?
Viking Global Group walks with you from paperwork to settlement. Call +849.219.219.88 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
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- Scouting Türkiye before deciding to relocate
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Frequently asked questions
What investment routes currently exist in Türkiye?
Current routes include citizenship by investment through real estate, bank deposits, government bonds, capital funds or job-creating investments, and short-term residence permits for property owners meeting value requirements in certain cities.
How have Turkish investment rules changed?
Türkiye has raised the minimum real estate investment amount for citizenship, required independent valuations, extended holding periods and introduced rules for payments in foreign currency. Rules evolve, so investors should confirm the latest requirements.
How long does the citizenship process take?
Once the investment is completed and documents are ready, processing can take several months depending on workload and security checks. Delays can occur, so investors should plan flexibly.
Can the property be sold after citizenship?
The property must be held for the minimum period stated in the rules. Selling earlier may jeopardise eligibility. After the holding period, owners can sell, but they should check tax implications and market conditions.
What should investors verify before choosing a programme?
Investors should verify the current threshold, holding period, valuation requirements, payment rules and family inclusion. Checking official announcements and consulting independent lawyers helps avoid outdated information.
Information is for reference and may change under the latest official policy. Please contact us for current regulations.
