Turkish Citizenship by private pension fund (BES)

Everyone knows the $400k property route, but the $500k Private Pension Fund is another route in the Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program.

Most investors only look at the $400k property route or the $500k bank deposit when eyeing the Turkish Golden Visa. There is a third, less known option: the Private Pension Fund System (BES).

On this route the money is invested in pension funds managed by regulated portfolio management companies, rather than in a property or a bank deposit.

How is the Pension Fund ($500k) route different? Unlike the bank deposit route, where the funds are converted to Turkish lira (TRY), the Private Pension Fund route invests the money in SEDDK-approved pension funds, so its value moves with those funds.

• Fund types: the approved pension funds invest in different assets, such as gold, commodities, foreign currency, stocks or bonds.
• Supervision: pension funds are managed by regulated portfolio management companies, and the pension system is supervised by SEDDK.
• Your decision: the pension company or its registered BES intermediary offers the plan and the funds, and you choose them; we do not recommend pension companies, plans or funds.
• Risk: fund values can rise or fall during the 3 years, past returns do not predict future ones, and the result in your own currency also depends on the exchange rate.

The Roadmap to Citizenship:
1. Setup: Obtain a Tax ID and open a Turkish bank account.
2. Transfer: SWIFT $500,000 into your account.
3. Agreement: Sign a single citizenship pension contract with a licensed pension company or its registered BES intermediary.
4. Compliance: Apply for the Investment Conformity Document (issued by SEDDK – takes approx. 2-3 weeks).
5. Residency: Secure your Investor Residence Permit (J-Type).
6. Citizenship: Submit your final application.

Who is eligible? The investor, spouse, and children under 18. (Parents and siblings are not included in the same investment). The official conditions of this route, from the single citizenship pension contract to the three-year hold, are set out on our page on the private pension fund (BES) route to Turkish citizenship.

Each route has its own conditions and risks. The Pension Fund route is regulated and supervised by SEDDK, but the investment must stay in the contract for 3 years and fund values can fall.

Have questions about the SEDDK approval process? Let’s discuss in the comments! 👇

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