Solutions
Turkish Citizenship by Investment — Lawyer-Led, Buyer-Only
Turkish citizenship by investment is a legal process wrapped around a large transaction. Sellers and agencies are paid when the sale closes; your lawyer should be paid to make sure the property, the money trail and the file all qualify. Tercan Legal has handled real estate and citizenship-by-investment files since 2012 for clients from more than 50 countries — hundreds of passports obtained. We act only for the investor and take no commission from sellers or developers.
Investment routes
| Real estate | USD 400,000, held for 3 years with a no-sale annotation on the title deed |
| Bank deposit | USD 500,000 in a Turkish bank, held for 3 years |
| Government bonds / lease certificates | USD 500,000, held for 3 years |
| Investment fund or REIT shares | USD 500,000, held for 3 years |
| Fixed capital investment | USD 500,000, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry |
| Employment | at least 50 employees, confirmed by the Ministry of Labour |
Spouse and children under 18 are included. Turkey allows dual citizenship; there is no residence, language or exam requirement.
Where CBI files go wrong
- Valuation below USD 400,000. The licensed (SPK) valuation, not the sale price, decides. We get an indicative valuation before you pay a deposit.
- Money trail. Funds must come through a Turkish bank with the right conversion documents; one wrong transfer can disqualify the payment.
- Previously used properties. A property already used for citizenship cannot be used again.
- Off-plan projects. Buying before completion needs a notarised sales promise contract and protection if the project is delayed.
- Background checks. Sanctions, PEP and source-of-funds issues should be assessed before the investment, not after the application.
Step by step
- Eligibility and route assessment, including source-of-funds review.
- Tax number and Turkish bank account.
- For property: legal due diligence and indicative valuation before any deposit.
- Payment through the bank with the required conversion documents.
- Title deed transfer with the 3-year annotation and the certificate of conformity.
- Short-term residence permit for the investor and family.
- Citizenship application and follow-up through to the Presidential decision.
- ID cards and passports.
Why Tercan Legal
- Buyer-only representation: no developer or agency commission.
- Valuation coordination in-house and top-level bank relationships; former counsel to NCB and KFH group banks.
- Arabic, Russian, Chinese, Persian, French and English desks.
- Sanctions and compliance experience — including investors relocating from Dubai.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Turkish citizenship by investment take?
Typically several months from a complete application; security checks decide the pace.
Can I combine several properties to reach USD 400,000?
Yes, if they are acquired and annotated within the rules.
Can I sell the property after receiving citizenship?
After the 3-year holding period.
Do I need to live in Turkey?
No.
Which is safer — property or deposit?
It depends on your liquidity and currency view. We compare both in writing before you commit.
Full legal background: Turkish Citizenship by Investment — 2026 Legal Guide.
Talk to our team
WhatsApp +90 506 689 97 22 · info@tercanlegal.com · Hikaye Sokak No 7, Office: 6, 34394 Esentepe, Şişli – Istanbul, Türkiye. Send us two lines about your plan — we reply with a written roadmap within 24 hours.
