Turkish Citizenship by Investment — Lawyer-Led, Buyer-Only

Investment routes

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

1. Eligibility and route assessment, including source-of-funds review.
2. Tax number and Turkish bank account.
3. For property: legal due diligence and indicative valuation before any deposit.
4. Payment through the bank with the required conversion documents.
5. Title deed transfer with the 3-year annotation and the certificate of conformity.
6. Short-term residence permit for the investor and family.
7. Citizenship application and follow-up through to the Presidential decision.
8. 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.

All routes to Turkish citizenship

• Investment: purchase of real estate worth at least USD 400,000 with a three-year no-sale annotation, a bank deposit or government bonds of at least USD 500,000 held for three years, a fixed capital investment of at least USD 500,000, employment of at least 50 people, or investment in a real estate or venture capital investment fund.
• Marriage: after three years of marriage to a Turkish citizen, subject to conditions.
• General naturalisation: after five years of uninterrupted legal residence in Turkey.
• Descent: for children of a Turkish parent.

The investment route is the only one that does not require prior residence in Turkey, and the investor’s spouse and children under 18 can be included in the same application.

Choosing a Turkish citizenship lawyer

A citizenship lawyer should act only for the investor, check the property or investment before any money is transferred, confirm that the valuation and payment documents meet the requirements, and prepare the application so that it is not delayed by missing documents. Many problems in citizenship files arise from property purchased at an inflated price or payments made without the correct bank records; both can be avoided with legal review at the start.

See also: Turkish citizenship by investment: the 2026 legal guide.

How long Turkish citizenship by investment takes

The timeline depends mainly on the investment route and on how quickly the investment documents are completed. A typical file moves through four stages: completing the investment and obtaining the certificate of conformity from the relevant authority; obtaining a residence permit on the basis of the investment; filing the citizenship application with the provincial population directorate; and the review of the file by the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. Once the application is filed, the review usually takes several months. We keep the file moving at each stage and respond to requests for additional documents as they arrive.

Costs and taxes to plan for

Besides the investment itself, applicants should budget for the licensed valuation report, sworn translations and apostilles, the residence permit and application fees, and our professional fee, which is set out in a written proposal before any work starts. For the real estate route, the title deed fee (normally 4% of the declared value, customarily shared between buyer and seller), VAT where a new property is bought from a developer and the annual property tax also apply. See real estate lawyer in Turkey.

Citizenship through lease certificates and participation banking

Investors who prefer participation (interest-free) finance can qualify through lease certificates (sukuk) issued by the Turkish Treasury or through participation accounts held for three years. Our founding partner previously worked as counsel within the SNB and KFH banking groups, and we structure these investments so that they meet both the citizenship criteria and the investor’s own requirements. See citizenship through government bonds and lease certificates and citizenship by bank deposit.

Turkish citizenship by investment for families

The investor’s spouse and children under 18 can acquire Turkish citizenship in the same application. Adult children and parents are not included and need their own basis. Family documents such as birth and marriage certificates must be apostilled and translated, and name spellings must match across all documents; mismatches are one of the most common causes of delay.

Related guides

• Turkish citizenship by investment: the 2026 legal guide
• Turkish citizenship through real estate investment
• Buying property in Turkey for citizenship
• Residence and work permits in Turkey

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. Statutory basis and Danıştay case law: Article 12 of Turkish Citizenship Law No. 5901 — article-by-article commentary.

Can I include my parents in the application?

No. Only the spouse and children under 18 are included. Parents need a separate basis, such as a family or short-term residence permit.

Can I sell the property after obtaining citizenship?

The property must be kept for at least three years under the no-sale annotation. After that period it can be sold without affecting citizenship already granted.

Do I need to live in Turkey?

No. There is no minimum residence requirement for citizenship by investment.

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.