Turkish Citizenship by Investment: A Practical Guide
Turkish Citizenship by Investment has become one of the most direct routes for foreign nationals to obtain a second citizenship, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a growing list of countries, the right to live and work in Türkiye indefinitely, and the ability to pass citizenship on to a spouse and dependent children in the same application.
The Investment Routes
The program recognizes several qualifying investment paths, the most common of which is real estate: purchasing property (or a portfolio of properties) that meets the government's minimum value threshold, with a commitment to hold the property for at least three years. Other routes include a fixed bank deposit, government bonds, or job creation through a registered company, each with its own minimum threshold and holding period.
The Process, Step by Step
- Selecting and completing the qualifying investment
- Obtaining an eligibility certificate from the relevant government authority
- Applying for a residence permit as the citizenship application is prepared
- Submitting the citizenship application with the Ministry of Interior
- Receiving approval and the Turkish identity card/passport
The investment itself is only the first step — how it is structured, documented, and timed determines whether the application moves smoothly or stalls for months on avoidable paperwork issues.
Common Pitfalls
Most delays we see are avoidable: a property purchased below the legally required appraisal value, a bank transfer that doesn't clearly trace back to the applicant, or a holding-period commitment that isn't properly registered with the land registry at the time of purchase. Each of these can be resolved, but resolving them after the fact costs far more time than structuring the investment correctly from the outset.
How POA Helps
We guide clients through the entire process — from selecting a compliant investment and verifying its eligibility before funds are committed, through submitting the citizenship file itself, to following the application until the passport is issued. For families, we also coordinate the inclusion of a spouse and dependent children in a single, unified application.
Citizenship by investment rewards careful preparation. Our role is to make sure that preparation is done right the first time.