Türkiye Citizenship by Investment
Key Programme Highlights
- Minimum investment of USD 400,000 in real estate or USD 500,000 via bank deposit, government bonds, fixed capital, or fund shares, with a mandatory 3-year holding period for all routes.
- Full Turkish citizenship for the applicant, spouse, and dependent children under 18; dual citizenship permitted under Article 7 of Law No. 5901.
- Turkish citizens are eligible for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa after establishing domicile in Türkiye for three years, providing a pathway to live and work in the United States.
- No minimum residency requirement during or after the application process; physical presence required only for biometric collection.
- Processing typically completed within 3 to 6 months from submission of a complete application.
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries and territories worldwide.
Türkiye's Citizenship by Investment Programme, governed by Law No. 5901, Article 12, grants full citizenship through a minimum USD 400,000 real estate purchase or USD 500,000 alternative investment. Processing takes 3 to 6 months. Turkish passport holders access over 110 destinations visa-free and qualify for the US E-2 Investor Visa. NTL provides professional advisory and application management services.
"Türkiye's citizenship by investment programme occupies a distinct position in the global CBI landscape. The combination of a comparatively accessible real estate threshold, E-2 treaty eligibility for US market access, and Türkiye's strategic location bridging Europe and Asia makes it one of the most strategically versatile options available to international investors today."
About Türkiye
Türkiye is a transcontinental republic bridging southeastern Europe and western Asia, with territory spanning both continents across the Bosphorus Strait. As the successor state to the Ottoman Empire, Türkiye holds membership in NATO, the OECD, and the G20, and maintains a customs union with the European Union. The country occupies a position of significant geostrategic importance at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Southeastern Europe and Western Asia, bordering the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Aegean Sea |
| Area | 783,356 square kilometres |
| Population | Approximately 85 million |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Largest City | Istanbul |
| Official Language | Turkish |
| Currency | Turkish Lira (TRY) |
| International Memberships | NATO, OECD, G20, EU Customs Union |
Legal Framework
The Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme is established under a comprehensive legislative framework that has undergone several amendments since its inception in 2017.
Governing Legislation
Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship (May 29, 2009): The principal legislation establishing the framework for acquiring, retaining, and losing Turkish citizenship. Article 12 provides the legal basis for exceptional acquisition of citizenship through economic contribution, enabling the President of the Republic to grant citizenship to qualifying foreign investors.
Presidential Decree No. 106 (September 18, 2018): Established the current qualifying investment categories and set initial thresholds. This decree replaced the earlier framework and introduced the investment routes that remain active today.
Implementation Regulation Amendment (May 13, 2022): Increased the minimum real estate investment threshold from USD 250,000 to USD 400,000, and maintained alternative investment routes at USD 500,000. This amendment aligned the programme with Türkiye's strategy of attracting higher-value, long-term investment.
Procedural Amendments (Effective January 2, 2024): Introduced additional requirements including mandatory physical presence for biometric collection at the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs, expanded residence permit documentation, and enhanced source-of-funds verification.
Regulatory Authorities
| Authority | Role in CBI Process |
|---|---|
| General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs | Processes citizenship applications and issues citizenship decisions |
| Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change | Attests real estate investment conformity |
| Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BRSA) | Attests bank deposit conformity |
| Ministry of Treasury and Finance | Attests government bond investment conformity |
| Ministry of Industry and Technology | Attests fixed capital investment conformity |
| Capital Markets Board of Türkiye (CMB) | Attests fund share investment conformity |
| General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre (TAKBIS) | Registers property transfers and title deed annotations |
Investment Options
The programme offers multiple qualifying investment routes under Article 12 of Law No. 5901 and Presidential Decree No. 106. All investments carry a mandatory 3-year holding period from the date of citizenship grant.
Investment Routes Comparison
| Route | Min. Investment | Holding Period | Attestation Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate | USD 400,000 | 3 years | Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change |
| Bank Deposit | USD 500,000 | 3 years | BRSA |
| Government Bonds | USD 500,000 | 3 years | Ministry of Treasury and Finance |
| Fixed Capital | USD 500,000 | 3 years | Ministry of Industry and Technology |
| Fund Shares (REIF/VC) | USD 500,000 | 3 years | Capital Markets Board (CMB) |
| Job Creation | 50 employees | 3 years | Ministry of Labour and Social Security |
Legal and administrative fees are not included. Documents may require certified translation and Apostille.
Application Process
The Türkiye CBI application follows a structured procedure administered through multiple government agencies. NTL coordinates the entire process, from initial eligibility assessment through final passport issuance.
Eligibility Assessment and Investment Selection
NTL conducts an initial assessment of the applicant's profile, reviews source-of-funds documentation, and advises on the most suitable investment route based on the client's objectives and financial structure.
Investment Completion
For real estate: property selection, official valuation report, title deed transfer with 3-year no-sale annotation, and bank transfer documentation. For other routes: deposit, bond purchase, capital injection, or fund subscription through licensed Turkish institutions.
Certificate of Conformity
The relevant government authority verifies that the investment meets programme requirements and issues a Certificate of Conformity. This certificate is a prerequisite for the citizenship application.
Residence Permit Application
A short-term residence permit application is submitted on behalf of the applicant and family members. Physical presence in Türkiye is required for biometric collection at this stage.
Citizenship Application Submission
The complete application, including the Certificate of Conformity, residence permit, and all supporting documents, is submitted to the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs for review and decision by the President of the Republic.
Citizenship Grant and Passport Issuance
Upon approval, Turkish citizenship is granted to the applicant and included family members. Turkish passport applications can be submitted immediately following the citizenship decision.
US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa Access
One of the most significant strategic advantages of Turkish citizenship is eligibility for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. Türkiye is an E-2 treaty country, and Turkish citizens who have established domicile in Türkiye for at least three years are eligible to apply.
The E-2 visa permits the holder to live and work in the United States by directing and developing a business in which they have invested a substantial amount. The visa is renewable and can be held indefinitely, though it does not directly lead to permanent residency or US citizenship.
| E-2 Visa Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility Requirement | Turkish citizenship with 3-year domicile in Türkiye |
| Initial Visa Duration | Up to 5 years (renewable) |
| US Investment Requirement | Substantial investment in a US business (no fixed statutory minimum) |
| Family Inclusion | Spouse (with work authorization) and unmarried children under 21 |
| Renewal | Renewable indefinitely, subject to maintaining qualifying business |
Family Inclusion
The Türkiye CBI programme extends citizenship to the main applicant's immediate family members under the same application, with no additional investment required.
| Family Member | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Eligible for inclusion; residence permit required during application |
| Children Under 18 | Dependent children under 18 at the time of application |
| Children with Disabilities | Children of any age who are living with disabilities may be included |
All included family members receive full Turkish citizenship rights, including the right to live, work, and study in Türkiye, and to apply for Turkish passports. Children who turn 18 during the application process remain eligible provided they were under 18 when the application was submitted.
Costs and Government Fees
In addition to the qualifying investment amount, applicants should anticipate the following costs associated with the Türkiye CBI process.
| Fee Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title Deed Transfer Tax (Real Estate) | Generally 4% of the declared property value |
| Official Property Valuation Report | Issued by government-licensed appraisal company |
| Notary and Translation Fees | For document certification and sworn translation |
| Residence Permit Application Fees | Standard government processing fees for each family member |
| Citizenship Application Fees | Government processing and administrative fees |
| Passport Issuance Fees | Standard passport fees for each family member |
| Annual Property Tax (Real Estate) | Varies by property type and municipality |
Legal and administrative fees are not included in the above. All documents from foreign jurisdictions require certified translation and Apostille authentication.
Turkish Passport and Global Mobility
The Turkish passport provides significant travel mobility, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 110 countries and territories worldwide. Key travel advantages include access to major destinations across Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe without a prior visa application.
Turkish citizens benefit from several additional travel and mobility features: B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas to the United States (valid for up to 10 years), C-2 Schengen multiple-entry visas (valid for up to 5 years), and E-2 Treaty Investor Visa eligibility for establishing a business and residing in the United States.
Türkiye permits dual citizenship under Article 7 of Law No. 5901. Acquiring Turkish citizenship does not require renunciation of existing nationality, enabling investors to maintain their current passport alongside the Turkish passport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment for Türkiye citizenship by investment in 2026?
The minimum investment for Türkiye citizenship through real estate is USD 400,000, with a mandatory 3-year holding period. Alternative investment routes, including bank deposits, government bonds, fixed capital investment, and fund shares, each require a minimum of USD 500,000. The job creation route requires employment of at least 50 Turkish citizens.
How long does the Türkiye citizenship by investment process take?
The process typically takes 3 to 6 months from the submission of a complete application with all supporting documents and the Certificate of Conformity. Timelines vary based on investment type, background screening complexity, and document completeness.
Can Turkish citizens apply for a US E-2 Investor Visa?
Yes. Türkiye is an E-2 treaty country. Turkish citizens who have been domiciled in Türkiye for at least three years are eligible to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which permits living and working in the United States by investing in and directing a US-based business.
Does Türkiye allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Türkiye permits dual citizenship under Article 7 of Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship. Investors are not required to renounce their existing nationality when acquiring Turkish citizenship through investment.
Which family members can be included in a Türkiye CBI application?
The main applicant may include their spouse and dependent children under the age of 18. Children of any age who are living with disabilities may also be included. All included family members receive full Turkish citizenship, including the right to apply for Turkish passports.
Is there a physical presence requirement?
There is no minimum residency requirement during or after the citizenship process. However, physical presence in Türkiye is required at least once for biometric data collection as part of the residence permit and citizenship application procedures.
Can I combine multiple properties to reach the USD 400,000 threshold?
Yes. Multiple properties may be purchased and combined to meet the USD 400,000 minimum investment threshold. Each property must be registered with a 3-year no-sale annotation on the title deed. All purchases must be completed through the Turkish banking system with proper foreign exchange documentation.
This page provides general information about the Türkiye Citizenship by Investment Programme based on publicly available official sources. Investment thresholds, government fees, processing timelines, and eligibility criteria are subject to change based on amendments to Turkish law and government policy. All applications are subject to comprehensive due diligence and security screening by Turkish authorities. NTL does not guarantee outcomes and recommends that all prospective applicants seek independent legal and tax advice specific to their circumstances.
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About NTL International
NTL provides professional guidance and compliance support for global CBI and RBI programs. As a government-authorized agent in select jurisdictions and collaborator with specialized legal experts worldwide, NTL manages the entire application process, ensuring every application meets statutory requirements from initial assessment through final approval, working with local counsel for full compliance.
Our Services Include:
- Eligibility assessment and investment option analysis
- Complete application preparation and submission
- Due diligence coordination and documentation support
- Investment facilitation and government fee processing
- Post-approval support, compliance guidance, and passport renewal
- Diversified CBI-RBI mobility portfolio advisory