📌 Before You Read
Citizenship by investment is a legal status decision, not a company-formation product. It is granted by Presidential decision under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship, and the rules are set in the implementing regulation. This article summarises the official requirements as published on the authorities' portal and is not an invitation to buy property or invest for citizenship. Always confirm the current rules with a licensed lawyer.
1. The Real Estate Route (Official Wording)
According to the official Your Key Türkiye portal, under Article 20(2)(b) of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, a foreign person can acquire citizenship by Presidential decision if they:
- buy real estate worth at least USD 400,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency), with a three-year no-sale annotation on the title deed; or
- have a notarised promise-to-sell contract for a condominium or construction-easement property, with at least USD 400,000 paid in advance and a three-year annotation that the property will not be transferred or cancelled.
The amount must be established by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum value | USD 400,000 (since September 19, 2018, after an earlier USD 1 million period) |
| Currency | The Turkish lira option was removed in 2022; the foreign currency amount must be sold to a bank for the Central Bank |
| Land | Since December 12, 2023, agricultural property and vacant land can no longer be used. Land must have a building on it |
| Holding | Three years, recorded on the title deed |
| Lower route | The former USD 250,000 route has ended |
2. The Business and Financial Routes
The same regulation provides routes at USD 500,000 that do not depend on real estate. According to practitioner summaries of the regulation, these include:
- A fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000 certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology
- A bank deposit of at least USD 500,000 held for three years
- Purchase of real estate investment fund or venture capital fund units worth at least USD 500,000 held for three years
- A route based on creating employment for at least 50 people
For company owners, the fixed capital investment route connects with the structures covered in our company formation cost guide and incentive certificate guide. The qualifying investment and its certification are specific, so a normal company capital contribution does not automatically qualify.
3. Common Misunderstandings
- Owning shares in a Turkish company is not citizenship. It does not give a work permit either (work permit guide).
- Residence permits and citizenship are different routes. A property can support residence without meeting the citizenship threshold.
- The 3-year holding condition is binding. Selling early can put the status at risk.
- Total cost is higher than the threshold. Fees, valuation and legal costs are additional.
- Rules change. Thresholds and conditions were changed several times (2017, 2018, 2022, 2023), so older articles are often out of date.
4. Practical Advice
Citizenship decisions are personal and long-term. Check the current regulation and the Ministry's valuation requirements, use a licensed lawyer and a licensed valuer, and keep payment and currency conversion records. If the goal is a business presence in Turkey rather than a passport, the company, work permit and incentive routes in this series are usually the better starting point (advantages overview).
5. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for Turkish citizenship in 2026?
USD 400,000 for the real estate route and USD 500,000 for the other investment routes (fixed capital, deposit, fund units), according to the official regulation and practitioner summaries. Confirm the current amounts before acting.
How long must the property be held?
Three years, with a no-sale annotation recorded on the title deed.
Can I use vacant land?
No. Since December 12, 2023, agricultural property and vacant land can no longer be used for the real estate route. The property must have a building on it.
Does owning a company in Turkey give citizenship?
No. Company ownership alone does not. A qualifying fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000 certified by the Ministry of Industry and Technology is a separate route.
Is citizenship by investment the same as a residence permit?
No. Residence permits and citizenship are separate legal statuses with different requirements.
Conclusion
The official rules are narrower and stricter than many sales pages suggest. Treat citizenship as a legal decision, verify the current regulation, and separate it from the business case for investing in Turkey.
Koray Akdağ / Sistem Global Danışmanlık can help structure the business side of an investment in Turkey. For citizenship applications themselves, please consult a licensed immigration lawyer. Get in touch.
General information as of October 2026, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current rules with the relevant authority before acting.