Turkish Citizenship by Real Estate Investment

Obtain a Turkish passport for you and your family with a minimum USD 400,000 real estate investment in Istanbul. Pera Property manages the entire process from property selection to passports in hand.

Full-service citizenship consultancy in Istanbul

Since 2016, Pera’s founders and legal partners have assisted international clients with Turkish Citizenship by Investment, combining specialist real estate knowledge with a dedicated immigration and legal team.

  • End-to-end guidance from first call to Turkish passports.
  • Carefully curated portfolio of CBI-eligible properties in Istanbul.
  • Coordination with experienced Turkish lawyers and tax advisors.
  • Support with bank accounts, tax numbers and residency permits.
  • Transparent reporting and regular updates throughout the process.
Pera Property Director
Pera Property Directors

Nearly 40 years’ combined experience in Istanbul real estate and citizenship by investment.

Our full-package citizenship service

Everything you need for a successful Turkish citizenship application, delivered as a single coordinated package by Pera and our legal partners.

CBI-eligible properties

Access a curated list of Istanbul properties that fully comply with the USD 400,000 citizenship requirement and land registry rules.

Legal due diligence

Independent Turkish lawyers check title deeds, permits and encumbrances before you commit to any investment.

Banking & tax numbers

Support with obtaining your Turkish tax number, opening local bank accounts and arranging secure fund transfers.

Purchase & title deed

End-to-end assistance with the property purchase, including sales contracts, valuation reports and title deed transfer.

Citizenship filing

Preparation and submission of residency and citizenship files for all eligible family members with ongoing follow-up.

After-sales & rentals

Optional property management and rental services to help you generate income from your citizenship investment.

Key facts about Turkish Citizenship by Investment

A fast, flexible route to Turkish citizenship for families who invest in qualifying real estate.

1

USD 400,000+ real estate

You must invest at least USD 400,000 in one or more Turkish properties that meet the programme’s legal and valuation requirements.

2

Spouse & children included

Your spouse and children under 18 can be included in the same citizenship application. Adult children or parents may require separate routes.

3

Approx. 4–6 month timeline

From property purchase and residence permits to full citizenship approval, most complete files are finalised within around 4–6 months.

4

Dual citizenship possible

Many nationalities can keep their existing passport when obtaining Turkish citizenship, subject to their home country’s rules on dual nationality.

Conditions to be met

Value

The total value of the assets must be at least USD 400,000 at the time of purchase and valuation.

Title

Each asset must have its own legal title deed (TAPU) and be properly registered at the land registry.

Multiple properties

You may use one or more properties to reach the minimum amount. They do not have to be in the same building or project.

Legal charge

A restriction is registered on the title deed(s) confirming the property(ies) cannot be sold for at least three years.

Valuation

The total value must be confirmed by a valuation report issued by an SPK-licensed surveyor. Properties sold by GYOs are exempt.

Who can apply under one citizenship file?

The Turkish Citizenship by Investment programme allows the main investor to include their immediate family under a single coordinated application.

Main investor

The primary applicant making the qualifying real estate investment of at least USD 400,000.

Spouse

Your husband or wife can be added to the same citizenship file as a dependent without any extra investment requirement.

Children under 18

All children below 18 years of age can be included under the same application as long as the family relationship is documented.

Adult children (special needs)

Adult children with officially recognised disabilities or special needs may qualify as dependents, subject to supporting medical reports.

Parents (separate route)

Parents are not included in the main citizenship file, but we can advise on suitable residency options or parallel applications.

One coordinated process

Your lawyers prepare and file all family applications together, keeping the documentation, timelines and approvals under tight control.

Citizenship benefits

Fast-track citizenship

Passports typically granted within 4–6 months, subject to government processing times.

Affordable second passport

Obtain Turkish citizenship with a qualifying real estate investment from USD 400,000.

Visa-free travel

Access to a wide network of countries with a Turkish passport, plus easy visas to key markets.

No residence requirement

No obligation to live in Türkiye before or after citizenship approval.

Entire family eligible

Include your spouse and children under 18 in the same application.

Real estate investment

Invest in income-generating, Istanbul property with long-term capital growth potential.

3-year holding period

After three years you are free to restructure, sell or reinvest your property portfolio.

Attractive tax planning

Citizenship can form part of a broader tax, residency and asset-planning strategy.

Request a call back

Share a few details and one of our consultants will contact you to discuss your plans and answer any questions.

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Additional information

Why choose Pera for Turkish citizenship?

A specialist Istanbul real estate agency with a dedicated focus on citizenship and residency investors.

Specialist CBI portfolio

We focus on modern, well-located Istanbul developments that appeal both to citizenship investors and future tenants.

Transparent fees

Clear, upfront fee structures for both real estate and legal work, with no hidden extras during the process.

Local + international team

English and Turkish-speaking consultants based in Istanbul, backed by experienced immigration lawyers.

End-to-end project management

One point of contact coordinating developers, valuers, banks and lawyers so your application stays on track.

Istanbul market insight

Advice on which districts hold long-term value, rental demand and resale liquidity once your lock-in period ends.

Long-term relationship

Ongoing support with rentals, resale or portfolio restructuring once your citizenship has been granted.

Turkish citizenship acquisition timeline

An indicative timeline from your first consultation with Pera to receiving your Turkish passports, assuming a complete and correctly prepared file.

  1. 3–5 days Preparation
    1

    Consultation & planning

    We assess your family situation, timeline and budget, and explain the latest programme rules and documentation requirements.

  2. 2–4 weeks Document collection
    2

    Prepare documents

    Our lawyers provide a detailed checklist and help you gather passports, civil documents, photos, powers of attorney and any required translations and apostilles.

  3. 1–2 weeks Investment
    3

    Select & reserve property

    Together we shortlist CBI-eligible projects in Istanbul, arrange viewings (in person or remote) and reserve your chosen units with the developer.

  4. 2–4 weeks Completion
    4

    Complete investment & title deed

    You transfer funds, we obtain the valuation report and our lawyers complete title deed registrations with the 3-year no-sale restriction recorded on the TAPU.

  5. 4–8 weeks Processing
    5

    Residence permits & citizenship filing

    Your family’s residence permits and citizenship files are submitted. Your lawyers track the application and respond to any requests from the authorities.

  6. Approx. 4–6 months total Approval
    6

    Receive Turkish passports

    Once approved, ID cards and passports are issued for all successful applicants, either in Türkiye or via your local consulate.

Documents required

Key documents typically needed for a complete Turkish citizenship application. Your lawyer will confirm the exact list based on your family situation and nationality.

Valid passport

A valid passport or recognised travel document for each applicant.

Marriage certificate / marital status

If married, a marriage certificate. If divorced, a divorce certificate. If never married, an official certificate of single status.

Birth certificates

Birth certificates for all applicants. If unavailable, a consular affidavit confirming your place and date of birth may be needed.

Details of spouse and children

Passports and birth certificates for your spouse and all children included in the application.

Turkish tax number

A Turkish tax number for the main applicant, issued by any tax office or online through the Revenue Administration.

Appraisal reports

Each property must be independently valued by an SPK-licensed surveyor to confirm that the total investment meets the legal threshold.

Title deeds of the purchased assets

Title deeds (TAPU) for each qualifying asset, with the three-year no-sale restriction registered where required.

Confirmation of investment

Official confirmation from the land registry or relevant authority that the investment has been completed in line with the citizenship rules.

Authentication & legalisation

Certain documents (birth, marriage, divorce certificates or single-status confirmations) must be apostilled or otherwise legalised and officially translated into Turkish. Your lawyer will advise on the exact process for your country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Turkish Citizenship by Investment process, documents and practical requirements.

Q: What is the surveyor’s role and what is an appraisal report?

The surveyor provides a report which must match or exceed the purchase price of the property. This is to ensure that the buyer and seller are carrying out a transaction in good faith. The Ministry of Urbanisation then verifies this report and confirms the value and purchase price. It must exceed $400,000.

Q: Do I need to be in Turkey for the process?

The applicant and spouse (but not any children under 18) must visit Turkey to attend the residency application (where biometrics are taken), and then again on successful outcome of the application in order to receive the Turkish ID and passport. The immigration office can only be attended by the applicant or the applicant’s solicitor. The solicitor must be registered with the Turkish Bar Association.

Q: How long does it take, some people say maximum 60 days?

Impossible. The purchase process usually takes 3–4 weeks in total. If a VAT exemption is involved, a further 2–3 weeks is needed just for that process. Document preparation by the applicant usually takes 3–4 weeks. Even if documents are prepared well in advance, the application process itself can take around 4 weeks. The assessment of the application takes a minimum of two months, and on average around three months. Expect to be granted citizenship after a minimum period of three months; in most cases citizenship is granted around six months after the date of application.

Q: What is the currency certificate (DAB)?

This part of the process was introduced in February 2022. It requires international buyers to use euros, pounds sterling, or US dollars in transactions. The purchase price must be exchanged to Turkish lira via the Central Bank by the buyer or the seller. The Central Bank then provides a purchase certificate, which must be presented to the land registry offices during the title (tapu) exchanges. This certificate is called the DAB (Doviz alım belgesi).

Q: I bought a property in Turkey before the change in law, does it qualify?

Property transactions can now be backdated to 2017, provided all relevant payment receipts can be provided from the developer’s bank account.

Q: Does the property have to be residential or does commercial qualify?

Commercial property can also be used as part of the application process.

Q: How long does this process take?

The granting of citizenship takes between four and six weeks once all documents have been submitted to the authorities.

Q: Can I buy multiple properties or is it just one?

Multiple properties can be purchased provided the total exceeds $250,000.

Q: What conditions apply to the exchange rate between dollars and lira?

This rule changed in June 2021. The official exchange rate now used is the Turkish Central Bank rate (TCMB) published at 4pm one day before the funds are credited to the seller’s account. The date of the tapu transfer is no longer used. The payment can only be made in USD, EUR, or GBP. This must then be exchanged for lira by the seller with the TCMB, which issues a currency certificate (the DAB). The amount exchanged must exceed $400,000.

Q: As a new citizen can I work in Turkey or open a business?

Yes. As part of the application you are also required to take a residence permit, which gives you the immediate right of employment in Turkey.

Q: I bought property on instalments but did not register the title until after the new law, does it qualify?

It can qualify subject to Ministry approval and assuming you can provide all the backdated receipts for every single payment. The exchange rate used will be one day before the funds are credited to the seller’s account.

Q: Is a criminal check required?

The Ministry reserves the right to carry out a security check to ensure the applicant poses no threat to the Turkish public or national security.

Q: Will I or my children have to complete military service in Turkey?

Children under 18 will need to complete military service in Turkey as Turkish nationals. However, as dual nationals they qualify for exemption and can pay a fee instead of serving.

Q: Can my parents obtain citizenship through my purchase?

No, they must make their own individual purchase.

Q: My child is over 18, can they take citizenship through my purchase?

No, they must make their own individual purchase.

Q: Do I need to learn the language or take any test/interview?

No.

Q: I have a travel document but no passport, can I qualify?

Yes.

Q: Does Turkey allow for dual nationality?

Yes, new citizens do not need to give up their nationality, provided their original country also allows dual nationality.

Ready to explore Turkish citizenship by investment?

Share your details and one of our consultants will contact you to discuss your plans and outline the best options for your family.