Real Estate Citizenship, Residence, Investment, and Housing Services
Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate Investment
Basic Details
- Required Value: Purchase of properties worth at least $400,000 USD.
- Beneficiaries: The investor, spouse, and children under 18 years old.
- Available Property Types: All properties except land plots.
- Processing Time: 6 to 12 months.
- Key Condition: The property cannot be sold for 3 years.
Amendments to Citizenship Laws
In 2018, the Turkish government revised the conditions for obtaining citizenship to encourage foreign investment. One of the most notable changes was: – Real Estate Investment: It requires the purchase of a property or properties with a total value of no less than $400,000 USD. This amendment followed a reduction in the minimum threshold from $1 million to $250,000, which was later raised to $400,000 in 2022.
Steps and Procedures to Obtain Turkish Citizenship
- Choosing the Right Property:
- The investor visits Turkey or authorizes a trusted person to select a property that meets the required conditions.
- Obtaining a Property Valuation Report:
- After selecting the property, an official valuation report determining the actual property value is requested.
- Note: Some companies do not require valuation reports (e.g., GYO).
- Completing the Purchase:
- Once the property value is confirmed to be $400,000 USD or more, a purchase contract is signed, and the payment is transferred to the seller through a USD bank account.
- Applying for Citizenship:
- After registering the property in the land registry (Tapu), the citizenship application can be submitted.
- Obtaining Investor Residency:
- An investor residency is granted to the investor and their family, allowing them to stay in Turkey until the citizenship process is completed.
- Property Lock for 3 Years:
- A restriction is placed on the property to prevent its sale for 3 years, as a mandatory condition.
- Receiving Citizenship:
- After reviewing the application and ensuring all conditions are met, the investor and their family (spouse and children under 18 years old) receive Turkish citizenship within 6 to 12 months.
Required Documents for Application
- Power of Attorney for the Spouses:
- A power of attorney for following up on citizenship procedures, issued either in Turkey or at the Turkish consulate in the country of residence.
- Passports:
- Valid passports for all family members, translated and notarized in Turkey or at the Turkish consulate.
- Birth Certificates:
- Translated and notarized birth certificates for all family members.
- Marriage Certificate:
- Translated into Turkish and notarized at the Turkish consulate.
- Personal Photos:
- Recent personal photos of all family members.
- Parental Consent:
- If one parent does not wish to obtain Turkish citizenship, consent must be provided for children under 18 to obtain citizenship.
- Turkish Residence Permit:
- If a previous residence permit exists.
Additional Notes
- All financial transactions must be conducted via bank transfers only, and receipts must be kept for submission to government authorities.
- When purchasing multiple properties through a notary agreement, the citizenship application must be made through one real estate project. However, properties in different locations can be purchased through the land registry.
- Egyptian Citizenship Exception:
- Children under 21 years old (instead of 18) can obtain Turkish citizenship.
- Citizenship applications cannot be made for more than one investor based on a single property purchase worth $800,000 or more.
Important Tips Before Making a Decision
- Legal Consultation: It is recommended to hire a lawyer or legal advisor to ensure the process runs smoothly and to avoid legal issues.
- Verify the Property: Ensure the property is free of any legal issues such as mortgages or ownership disputes.
- Invest in Promising Areas: It is advisable to choose properties in economically growing areas to guarantee an increase in property value in the future.