Turkish citizenship by investment eligibility comes down to a few clear conditions: you must be a foreign national who is not barred by nationality restrictions, you must make one of the qualifying investments (the most common being real estate worth at least $400,000), and you must commit to holding that investment for a set period, usually three years. Meet those conditions and you, your spouse, and your dependent children can obtain Turkish citizenship in around six to twelve months, as of the time this article is written. This guide sets out exactly who qualifies, what the financial thresholds are, and what can make an application ineligible.
What Does Turkish Citizenship by Investment Eligibility Mean?
Turkish citizenship by investment eligibility means meeting the conditions Turkey sets for foreign nationals who wish to become citizens by placing qualifying capital in the country. Turkey introduced the program in 2017 to attract foreign investment, and it has since become one of the most widely used investment-based citizenship routes in the world.
The core idea is simple. If you invest at or above the required amount in one of the approved categories, hold that investment for the required period, and clear the standard background and document checks, you are entitled to apply for citizenship. The Turkish citizenship by investment requirements do not include a language test, an interview, or a physical residence requirement, which sets the program apart from many other countries’ naturalisation routes. In our experience advising foreign investors, that absence of a residence requirement is the feature that most surprises new applicants.
Who Qualifies for Turkish Citizenship by Investment?
Almost any foreign national aged 18 or over qualifies for Turkish citizenship by investment, provided they make a qualifying investment and pass the security and document review. There is no minimum income requirement, no upper age limit, and no obligation to speak Turkish. The question of who qualifies for Turkish citizenship by investment therefore turns mainly on the investment itself and on nationality restrictions.
To be eligible, you generally need to:
- Be a foreign national aged 18 or over who is making the investment in your own name.
- Make one of the qualifying investments at or above the stated threshold.
- Commit to the holding period attached to that investment, usually three years.
- Show that the funds were transferred into Turkey through the banking system, where required.
- Pass the standard background and security checks conducted by the authorities.
- Hold a nationality that is not subject to purchase or application restrictions.
Because Turkey allows dual citizenship, you do not have to give up your existing passport. You should, however, confirm that your home country also permits dual nationality before you proceed, since that rule sits outside Turkey’s control.
Turkish Citizenship by Investment Eligibility: The Qualifying Routes
There are several qualifying routes, and Turkish citizenship by investment eligibility depends on which one you choose and on meeting its exact threshold. A qualifying investment for Turkish citizenship can take any of the following forms, with the figures below current as of the time this article is written.
Real estate purchase
Buy property in Turkey with a combined value of at least $400,000, confirmed by a licensed valuation report, and keep it for three years. This is by far the most popular of the Turkish citizenship eligible investment routes because the asset is tangible and can be sold once the holding period ends.
Bank deposit
Deposit at least $500,000 (or the equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish lira) in a Turkish bank and keep it there for three years. The deposit must be confirmed by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.
Government bonds and other instruments
Purchase at least $500,000 in Turkish government bonds and hold them for three years, confirmed by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.
Fixed capital contribution
Make a fixed capital contribution of at least $500,000, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. This suits investors who want to establish or expand a business in Turkey.
Private pension fund
Place at least $500,000 in shares of a real estate investment fund or a venture capital investment fund, or in a private pension system, and keep the holding for three years.
Job creation
Create employment for at least 50 Turkish citizens, confirmed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
You only need to satisfy one route. Most applicants choose real estate or the bank deposit, and understanding the qualifying investment for Turkish citizenship in each category helps you decide which fits your goals.
Comparing the Qualifying Investment Amounts
The list below summarises the main routes and their thresholds as of the time this article is written. These figures can change, so confirm them with an advisor before committing.
- Real estate purchase: from $400,000, held for three years.
- Bank deposit: from $500,000, held for three years.
- Government bonds: from $500,000, held for three years.
- Fixed capital contribution: from $500,000, with the term confirmed by the relevant ministry.
- Investment or pension fund shares: from $500,000, held for three years.
- Job creation: at least 50 employees, confirmed by the relevant ministry.
Real estate carries the lowest financial threshold, which is one reason it dominates. The other routes require $500,000 but return your capital in a more liquid form at the end of the holding period.
Nationality Restrictions: Who Cannot Apply
A small number of nationalities face restrictions on buying property or applying under the program, and this is the most common eligibility barrier. As of the time this article is written, citizens of a handful of countries, including Syria, Armenia, North Korea, Cuba, and Nigeria, face restrictions under reciprocity or policy rules. This list changes over time and should be confirmed with an advisor before you begin, since it is set by government policy rather than by the program itself.
Beyond nationality, an applicant can be found ineligible if the funds cannot be traced through proper banking channels, if the valuation of a property falls short of the threshold, or if the security check raises concerns. These are the practical limits on who qualifies for Turkish citizenship by investment, and they are usually manageable with proper preparation.
How to Get Turkish Citizenship by Investment: The Steps
Knowing how to get Turkish citizenship by investment is as important as meeting the eligibility criteria, because the two are closely linked: each step produces a document that proves you qualify. The process usually runs as follows.
- Choose and complete your investment. Select a route, transfer the funds through the banking system, and complete the purchase, deposit, or contribution.
- Obtain the confirmation document. For real estate this is the Certificate of Conformity from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change; for other routes it is the confirmation from the relevant ministry or agency.
- Apply for a short-term residence permit. This is a procedural step handled through the Presidency of Migration Management and does not require you to live in Turkey.
- Submit the citizenship application. File the application with supporting documents and biometric data.
- Receive the decision. Approved files are forwarded for final decision, after which you receive your Turkish identity number, passport, and ID card.
Learning how to get Turkish citizenship by investment step by step also shows where delays occur. In our advisory work, the most common reason a file slows down is an incomplete or late valuation report, not a problem with eligibility itself.
Documents That Prove Your Eligibility
The documents you submit are what actually demonstrate that you meet the Turkish citizenship by investment requirements. The core list, as of the time this article is written, usually includes:
- A valid passport, translated into Turkish and notarised.
- The confirmation document for your investment (Certificate of Conformity, bank confirmation, or ministry letter).
- For real estate, the title deed (tapu) and the licensed valuation report.
- Bank documentation showing the funds were transferred from abroad, where required.
- Biometric passport photographs.
- Birth certificate, and marriage certificate if applicable, translated and notarised.
- Proof of any name changes.
Exact document requirements depend on your nationality and personal circumstances, and they change from time to time. Confirm the current list with an advisor before you start gathering paperwork, because immigration and investment rules in Turkey are updated regularly.
Family Members Included Under Your Eligibility
Your eligibility extends automatically to your immediate family at no extra investment. When you qualify, your spouse and your dependent children under the age of 18 are included in the same application and receive Turkish citizenship on the same basis as you. Children over 18 and other relatives are not covered and would need to pursue their own route.
This is one reason the program appeals to investors planning a long-term move: a single qualifying investment can secure citizenship for a whole household.
Summary: Confirming Your Turkish Citizenship by Investment Eligibility
Turkish citizenship by investment eligibility is straightforward in principle: be a foreign adult from an unrestricted nationality, make one qualifying investment at or above its threshold, hold it for the required period, and pass the standard checks. The real estate route at $400,000 remains the most used, while the $500,000 routes offer more liquid alternatives. Because thresholds, restricted nationalities, and document requirements can change, the safest way to confirm your own Turkish citizenship by investment eligibility is to review your situation with an experienced advisor before you commit any funds.
Considering Turkish Citizenship or Moving to Turkey?
Gordion Partners is an Istanbul-based advisory firm that has helped foreigners with Turkish citizenship by investment, residence and work permits, and property purchases since 2020. To discuss your own situation, reach us by phone or WhatsApp at +90 533 140 04 96, by email at [email protected], or visit us at Merkez Mahallesi Hasat Sokak No:12A, 34384 Şişli, İstanbul. Contact us for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the eligibility criteria for Turkish citizenship by investment?
The eligibility criteria for Turkish citizenship by investment are being a foreign national aged 18 or over, making one qualifying investment (such as $400,000 in real estate) at or above its threshold, holding that investment for the required period, and passing the standard security and document checks. There is no language test or residence requirement.
Who qualifies for Turkish citizenship by investment?
Almost any foreign adult qualifies for Turkish citizenship by investment, as long as they make a qualifying investment and are not from a nationality subject to restrictions. Income level, age above 18, and language ability do not affect eligibility.
What is the minimum investment amount?
The minimum is $400,000 for the real estate route and $500,000 for the bank deposit, government bond, fixed capital, and fund routes, as of the time this article is written. These amounts can change, so confirm them with an advisor.
Do I have to live in Turkey to qualify?
No. There is no physical residence requirement for Turkish citizenship by investment. You obtain a short-term residence permit as a procedural step, but you are not required to actually live in Turkey before or after acquiring citizenship.
Can my family be included in my application?
Yes. Your spouse and your dependent children under 18 are included in the same application and receive citizenship on the same basis, with no additional investment required. Children over 18 must apply separately.
How long does the process take?
The full process usually takes around six to twelve months from completing the investment to receiving the passport, as of the time this article is written. Timelines depend on application volumes and on how complete your documents are.
Are any nationalities excluded?
A small number of nationalities face restrictions under reciprocity or policy rules, and the list changes over time. Because this is set by government policy, you should confirm your specific situation with an advisor before beginning.
Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Turkey permits dual and multiple citizenship, so you do not need to give up your existing passport. You should still check whether your home country allows dual nationality, as that rule is outside Turkey’s control.
About Gordion Partners
Gordion Partners is an Istanbul-based advisory firm specialising in immigration and real estate services for foreigners in Turkey. Since 2020, our advisors have guided international clients through Turkish citizenship by investment, residence and work permits, and property purchases, working in English, French, Turkish, Russian and Chinese. The firm is led by Burak Unal, an investment advisor and registered real estate broker in Turkey (Taşınmaz Ticareti Bilgi Sistemi, registration no. 3408704), who holds an MSc in Finance from the London School of Economics and a BBA from Boğaziçi University. We focus on clear, responsive and professional guidance at every step.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and you are strongly advised to consult a professional to evaluate your personal situation. No liability is accepted that may arise from the use of the information in this article.
