This guide answers the 50 most frequently asked questions on the acquisition of Turkish citizenship — above all Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI) through real estate, bank deposits, capital investment and other qualifying routes — as well as on citizenship by residence, marriage and descent, family members, and the rejection, cancellation and loss of Turkish citizenship.
1. Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship: Eligibility & Requirements
1. How can a foreigner acquire Turkish citizenship?
A foreigner may acquire Turkish citizenship through several legal routes, including general naturalization based on residence, exceptional citizenship such as Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI), marriage to a Turkish citizen, adoption, or reacquisition in eligible cases. Each route has its own requirements and application procedure.
2. What are the requirements for the acquisition of Turkish citizenship?
The requirements depend on the route. For general naturalization, applicants generally need to be adults with legal capacity and meet conditions including five years of qualifying residence, sufficient Turkish, good character, adequate income or a profession, intention to settle in Turkey, and no national-security or public-order obstacle. Investment-based citizenship has different requirements.
3. Who can apply for Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
Foreigners who complete a qualifying investment and obtain the required Certificate of Eligibility may proceed through the exceptional citizenship route after obtaining the relevant short-term residence permit. Turquoise Card holders may also qualify. The law also provides for the foreign spouse and minor or dependent foreign children of qualifying applicants, subject to the applicable requirements.
4. Do I need to live in Turkey to obtain Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
No five-year residence period is required for citizenship by investment. However, current NVI guidance requires you to apply in person for the Certificate of Eligibility, the residence permit, collecting the residence card, and the citizenship application. Plan to be in Turkey for these steps.
5. Do I need to speak Turkish for Turkish CBI?
No. The Turkish-language requirement applies to general naturalization, not to the exceptional citizenship-by-investment route. Applicants for general naturalization must have sufficient Turkish-language ability to adapt to social life.
6. Can I keep my current nationality if I become a Turkish citizen?
Generally yes. Turkish law recognizes multiple citizenship, so the acquisition of Turkish citizenship does not require giving up another nationality. However, your current country may restrict or prohibit dual nationality, so check its laws too.
7. Can citizens of any country apply for Turkish CBI?
Generally, foreign nationals who meet the applicable requirements may apply, but specific restrictions can affect particular investment routes. As of October 2026, NVI guidance states that Syrian citizens cannot apply through the real-estate acquisition route. The applicable rules should therefore be checked before making an investment.
8. Can I get Turkish citizenship if I have a criminal record?
There is no published rule that a criminal record automatically bars or permits citizenship. The application form asks whether you have convictions or pending proceedings, so these must be declared accurately. Each application is reviewed for national-security and public-order concerns, and concealing or misstating information can affect the citizenship decision. Applicants with criminal-history issues should seek advice before applying.
2. Turkish Citizenship by Investment (CBI)
9. What is Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI) is an exceptional route under Article 12 of the Turkish Citizenship Law for foreign investors who meet a qualifying investment condition. The investor obtains a Certificate of Eligibility and a short-term residence permit, then applies for citizenship. Each application is checked for national security and public order concerns, and the President makes the final decision.
10. What is the minimum investment for Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
As of October 2026, qualifying real estate requires at least USD 400,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency. The other investment routes require at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent, and the employment route requires creating jobs for at least 50 people. Each route has its own conditions and approving authority.
11. Can I get Turkish citizenship by buying property in Turkey?
Yes. As of October 2026, you can qualify by buying real estate worth at least USD 400,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency and registering a three-year restriction on its sale on the title deed. The value is confirmed through an official valuation report, and the Land Registry authority issues the Certificate of Eligibility.
12. Which investment options qualify for Turkish CBI besides real estate?
Besides real estate, the qualifying routes are a fixed-capital investment, a bank deposit, government debt instruments, real estate or venture capital fund units, and private pension contributions, each of at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent. Creating jobs for at least 50 people also qualifies. Each route has its own conditions and approving authority.
13. Can I buy multiple properties to reach the minimum investment amount?
Yes. There is no limit on the number of properties, as long as the total reaches the minimum. The totals shown on the deeds, valuation report, currency exchange document and payments made must each reach the required amount, and each property must be bought in full, not as a share in co-ownership. Check eligibility before you buy.
14. Can I obtain Turkish citizenship through a bank deposit?
Yes. As of October 2026, you must deposit at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent in a bank operating in Turkey and commit to keeping it there for three years. The Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) determines whether the requirement is met and issues the Certificate of Eligibility.
15. Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by investing in a Turkish company?
Yes, through the fixed-capital investment route. As of October 2026, you must convert at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent into Turkish lira through a bank, add it to the company’s capital by a capital increase, and show it was invested in qualifying fixed assets, such as machinery, equipment, and land or buildings directly related to the business. Buying an existing company or shares does not count by itself. The Ministry of Industry and Technology decides whether the investment qualifies.
16. Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by creating jobs in Turkey?
Yes. You must create jobs for at least 50 Turkish citizens in companies you own or co-own. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reviews the company’s social security records and issues the Certificate of Eligibility.
17. How long must I keep my CBI investment?
It depends on the route. A three-year holding or maintenance period applies to qualifying real estate, bank deposits, government debt instruments, fund units and private pension contributions. Fixed-capital investors cannot transfer their shares in the company, reduce its capital, or sell the qualifying fixed assets for at least three years after the Certificate of Eligibility is issued.
3. Property & Turkish CBI
18. What types of property qualify for Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
Qualifying property is generally an independent unit registered under the Condominium Ownership Law, such as a home or business premises, or a plot with a permanent building that has an occupancy permit. Timeshare rights do not qualify, and agricultural land and undeveloped plots cannot be used. Confirm eligibility before you buy.
19. Can I buy an off-plan or under-construction property for Turkish citizenship?
Yes, through a qualifying notarized promise-to-sell agreement. The unit must have condominium ownership or condominium easement, and at least USD 400,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency must be paid by the contract date under a single contract. The agreement must be registered with the Land Registry with a three-year undertaking not to transfer or cancel it.
20. Can commercial property or land qualify for Turkish citizenship?
Yes. Commercial property such as an office or shop can qualify if it meets the applicable property and investment requirements. Land qualifies only if it has a permanent building with an occupancy permit. Agricultural property and undeveloped land cannot be used.
21. What is the property valuation requirement for Turkish citizenship?
The property’s qualifying value is confirmed through a Tutar Tespit Belgesi (TTB, Amount Determination Certificate) prepared from an official valuation report obtained through the Land Registry systems. The TTB states the investment value accepted for citizenship, and if it exceeds the amount on your currency exchange document, only that amount counts. The Land Registry application must be made within the prescribed period after the TTB is issued; otherwise the valuation may have to be renewed.
22. When can I sell a property purchased for Turkish citizenship?
The title deed carries a restriction preventing the property from being sold for three years. After that period, you can ask the Land Registry to remove the annotation and sell the property. Selling earlier breaches the investment condition. A promise-to-sell during the three-year period, or transferring the property after that period back to the previous owner or their first-degree relatives, may result in cancellation of the property investment determination certificate.
23. Can I rent out a property purchased for Turkish citizenship?
The three-year citizenship undertaking prevents the property from being sold. An ordinary lease does not transfer ownership and does not in itself breach that restriction. During the undertaking period, a promise-to-sell and a usufruct right are specifically excluded from the rights that may be registered. Any rental must still comply with the ordinary lease and tax rules applicable in Turkey.
24. What legal checks should I make before buying property for Turkish citizenship?
Confirm that the property type qualifies and that the title deed has no legal mortgage or other annotation that could change ownership, such as a promise-to-sell or a pending lawsuit. Restrictions relating to the seller and the property history must also be checked, including prior registration to foreign persons, transfers from first-degree relatives or related companies, and whether the property has already been used for another citizenship application. Check the transaction documents and payments before completion.
4. Turkish CBI Application Process
25. What are the steps to apply for Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
There are four main steps:
Invest and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from the authority responsible for your investment route.
Apply for the short-term residence permit under Article 31/1(j) of Law No. 6458, at the provincial migration authority or the joint offices in Istanbul and Ankara.
Apply for citizenship at the competent Provincial Population and Citizenship Directorate or the joint offices in Istanbul and Ankara.
Wait for the review and decision. NVI reviews the application, including national security and public-order checks, and the President makes the final decision. If approved, you receive the citizenship announcement document from the office where you applied and can then apply for your Turkish identity card.
26. What is a Certificate of Eligibility for Turkish CBI?
The Certificate of Eligibility (Uygunluk Belgesi) confirms that your investment meets the minimum condition and is used for both the residence-permit and citizenship processes. The issuing authority depends on the route: the Land Registry (TKGM) for property, the Ministry of Industry and Technology for fixed capital, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for employment, BDDK for bank deposits, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance for government debt instruments, the Capital Markets Board for fund units, and SEDDK for private pension contributions.
27. Do I need a residence permit before applying for Turkish citizenship by investment?
Yes. After obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility, you must obtain a short-term residence permit under Article 31/1(j) of Law No. 6458 before filing the citizenship application. You apply through the competent migration authority or the joint offices in Istanbul and Ankara. The ordinary five-year residence requirement for general naturalization does not apply to this route.
28. What documents are required for a Turkish citizenship application?
For an investment-based application, the required documents include:
your passport;
authenticated official documents showing your identity and family relationships;
documents showing your marital status, including the full marriage date where applicable;
the signed official application form;
a recent criminal-record document from your country;
two biometric photographs;
proof of payment of the application fee; and
if children are included, a document showing the other parent’s consent where applicable.
The exact file depends on your circumstances.
29. Do foreign documents need to be apostilled, legalized or translated into Turkish?
Yes, where applicable. Foreign identity, family and civil-status documents must be officially authenticated under the procedure that applies to the issuing country, such as an apostille or consular legalization. Documents in another language require an approved Turkish translation, such as a notarized translation. Names, dates and other personal details should be consistent across the original documents, translations and Turkish records, as discrepancies can prevent the application from being processed.
30. What is the currency exchange document required for a property investment?
The currency exchange document (Döviz Alım Belgesi, DAB) is issued by a bank when foreign currency is exchanged for a qualifying property purchase. It must contain the required identification and transaction information, including the USD equivalent and a statement that the transaction is for citizenship purposes. The amount used for citizenship must relate to the property price and cannot include VAT, commissions, fees or similar expenses. Bank receipts documenting payment to the seller are also required.
31. How do I prove the source of funds used for my investment?
The required financial evidence depends on your investment route. For property, you provide the currency exchange document and bank receipts showing payment to the seller or an authorized person connected to the seller. For fixed-capital investment, you must show that the funds were converted through a bank into Turkish lira, added to the company’s capital and invested in qualifying assets. Banks may separately request information about the origin of funds as part of their compliance checks, so keep clear records of how the money was earned and transferred.
32. How long does a Turkish CBI application take?
There is no official fixed overall processing time. The process involves several stages handled by different authorities, including verification of the investment, the residence permit, review of the citizenship file, national-security and public-order checks, and the final decision. The total time therefore varies depending on the investment route and the individual application.
33. How much does a Turkish citizenship application cost besides the investment?
An official application service fee applies and is updated periodically. Other costs vary by case and may include residence-permit costs, translations, notarization or legalization, property valuation, Land Registry expenses and professional fees where applicable. These costs are separate from the qualifying investment.
34. Do I need a lawyer to apply for Turkish citizenship?
No. No official procedure requires you to use a lawyer. However, several main steps require personal attendance, while a representative can act where the applicable rules permit. For example, property may be purchased under a power of attorney that expressly authorizes the citizenship undertaking, and a representative may follow up on missing documents after filing. A lawyer can assist with eligibility checks, investment due diligence and document preparation before you invest.
35. Can I apply for Turkish citizenship from outside Turkey?
Not entirely. Current NVI guidance requires you to apply in person for the Certificate of Eligibility, the residence permit, the collection of the residence card and the citizenship application. Some parts can be handled remotely, for example buying property under a power of attorney that expressly authorizes the citizenship undertaking and following up on missing documents after filing. Plan to be in Turkey for the in-person steps.
36. How can I check my Turkish citizenship application status?
Use NVI’s “Vatandaşlık Başvurum Ne Aşamada?” (What Stage Is My Citizenship Application At?) service with your application number and date of birth. You can obtain the application number from the authority that received your application, such as the Provincial Population and Citizenship Directorate or, where applicable, the Turkish foreign mission.
5. Spouse, Children & Family
37. Which family members can be included in a Turkish CBI application?
The investor’s foreign spouse, and the foreign children of the investor or the spouse who are minors or dependent, can be included if they apply together with the investor. Family ties are documented with civil registry documents such as birth and marriage certificates, and if a child is included, the other parent’s consent may be needed.
38. Can an adult dependent child be included in a Turkish citizenship application?
Potentially, yes. The official rules for exceptional citizenship include the investor’s or spouse’s minor or dependent foreign children. Whether an adult child qualifies depends on whether the applicable dependency requirements are met. NVI also states generally that a minor whose citizenship is being considered through their parents and who reaches adulthood before the process is completed must then be treated as an adult, so families with children approaching age 18 should check their position before applying.
39. Can my parents or adult non-dependent children obtain citizenship through my investment?
No. The investment route covers the investor’s foreign spouse and the minor or dependent foreign children of the investor or spouse. Parents and adult children who are not dependent are not included and would need to qualify through their own investment or another route.
6. Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Residence, Marriage & Descent
40. Does living in Turkey for five years automatically grant Turkish citizenship?
No. Five years of continuous residence in Turkey immediately before the application is one of the requirements for general naturalization, but completing five years does not automatically grant citizenship. You must apply and satisfy the other statutory requirements.
41. What are the requirements for Turkish citizenship through residence?
You must generally be an adult with legal capacity, have lived continuously in Turkey for the five years immediately before applying, and demonstrate an intention to settle in Turkey. You also need no disease posing a danger to public health, good character, enough Turkish to adapt to social life, sufficient income or a profession to support yourself and your dependants, and no national-security or public-order impediment.
42. Can I obtain Turkish citizenship by marrying a Turkish citizen?
Marriage does not automatically grant Turkish citizenship. You may apply after being married to a Turkish citizen for at least three years, provided the marriage is continuing. You must also live within the family union, not engage in activities incompatible with the marriage, and have no national-security or public-order impediment. If your Turkish spouse dies after you apply, the requirement to live together no longer applies.
43. Can I obtain Turkish citizenship through a Turkish mother or father?
Yes. A child acquires Turkish citizenship by descent if the mother or father to whom the child is legally connected is a Turkish citizen at the time of birth. Only one parent needs to be Turkish, and the child may be born in Turkey or abroad. Where citizenship is claimed through a Turkish father and the parents are not married, the legally required parent-child relationship with the father must be established.
44. Can former Turkish citizens regain Turkish citizenship after its loss?
Yes, in certain cases, provided there is no national security obstacle. You need no residence period if you gave up citizenship with permission, if you lost it as a child through a parent and did not opt back within three years of turning 18, or if you lost it under certain provisions of the old Citizenship Law. If your citizenship was revoked, or you lost it by using the option right, you must reside in Turkey for three years.
7. After Obtaining Turkish Citizenship
45. What happens after my Turkish citizenship application is approved?
Once your application is approved, NVI sends the citizenship announcement document to the office where you applied. You collect it against signature; it cannot be sent to your home address by post. You can then apply for your Turkish Republic identity card at a district population directorate in Turkey or a Turkish foreign mission abroad.
46. Do I have to live in Turkey after acquiring Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
No. You are not required to live in Turkey after obtaining Turkish citizenship by investment. The grounds for loss, revocation or cancellation of Turkish citizenship are specific, and living abroad is not one of them. However, you must continue to satisfy any holding or maintenance requirement attached to your qualifying investment, such as the three-year restriction applicable to qualifying real estate.
47. Will my future children be Turkish citizens if I become a Turkish citizen?
Yes. A child born after you become a Turkish citizen acquires Turkish citizenship by descent if either parent is a Turkish citizen at the time of birth, whether the child is born in Turkey or abroad. Where citizenship is claimed through a Turkish father and the parents are not married, the legally required parent-child relationship must be established.
8. Rejection, Cancellation & Loss of Turkish Citizenship
48. Why are Turkish citizenship applications rejected?
A Turkish citizenship application may be rejected if the applicant does not meet the requirements of the relevant route or if there is a national-security or public-order impediment. In investment cases, the qualifying investment requirements must also be satisfied. False statements, concealed facts or misleading documents can create additional consequences. Meeting the statutory conditions does not create an automatic right to citizenship, and the final decision is made by the President.
49. What can I do if my Turkish citizenship application is rejected?
You may reapply if you meet the applicable citizenship requirements. Depending on the reason and legal basis for the rejection, it may also be possible to challenge the decision before the administrative courts. Court proceedings are subject to strict time limits, so the rejection decision should be reviewed promptly.
50. Loss of Turkish citizenship: can it be cancelled or lost after acquisition?
Yes, in specific circumstances. A decision granting Turkish citizenship can be cancelled if it was obtained through a false statement or by concealing important facts. Turkish law also provides separate grounds for the loss of Turkish citizenship by official decision for specified conduct. These are different legal procedures and can have different consequences for family members. For investment citizenship, breaching a holding period is reported to the authorities, and for property it may lead to cancellation of the investment certificate, so keep your CBI investment for the full required period.
Last updated: October 2026
Need assistance with Turkish citizenship by investment (CBI)?
Tercan Legal is an Istanbul law firm that has advised foreign investors and private clients from more than 40 countries since 2013. We review the property and documents before purchase and assist at every stage of the acquisition of Turkish citizenship — the transaction, the Certificate of Eligibility, the residence permit and the citizenship application for the whole family. We also advise on reacquisition of Turkish citizenship and on matters involving the loss or cancellation of Turkish citizenship.
Your first 20-minute online consultation is free. Contact us at info@tercanlegal.com or via WhatsApp / Telegram: +90 506 689 97 22. Consultations are available in English, Turkish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Persian and French.
Important: This guide provides general information and is not legal advice on any specific case. Turkish law and administrative practice may change, so current requirements should be confirmed at the time of the transaction or application. Decisions on the acquisition of Turkish citizenship are made by the competent Turkish authorities.
