Citizenship

How to Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate

There are multiple ways to acquire Turkish citizenship. One of these methods is through the purchase of real estate. When the procedures specified in the legislation are followed, a foreign national who purchases real estate in Turkey is eligible to obtain Turkish citizenship. The process generally occurs in four stages:

1. Purchase of real estate and payment made in accordance with the procedure
2. Obtaining a certificate of compliance
3. Applying for a residence permit
4. Applying for citizenship

Who Can Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate?

According to the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law, foreign individuals who purchase real estate valued at least $400,000 USD or the equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira, and whose title deed includes a restriction that the property cannot be sold for three years, or those who have a notarized agreement stating that the sale of the property, which was paid in full and valued at least $400,000 USD or the equivalent in foreign currency or Turkish Lira, will not be transferred or terminated within three years, are eligible for Turkish citizenship, as determined by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Which Country Nationals Can Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate?

Citizens of countries recognized by the Republic of Turkey can acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate in Turkey that meets the conditions. Currently, nationals of the following countries can obtain citizenship through real estate purchase:

Afghanistan
Germany
UnitedStatesofAmerica
AmericanSamoa
Andorra
Angola
AntiguaandBarbuda
Argentina
Albania
Aruba,Netherlands
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Belarus
Bhutan
UnitedArabEmirates
Myanmar
Bolivia
BosniaandHerzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
BurkinaFaso
Burundi
CapeVerde
Algeria
Djibouti
Chad
CzechRepublic
China
Denmark
EastTimor
DominicanRepublic
Dominica
Ecuador
ElSalvador
Indonesia
Eritrea
Armenia
Estonia
Ethiopia
Morocco
Fiji
IvoryCoast
Philippines
Palestine
Finland
France
Gabon
Wales
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Grenada
Greenland
Guatemala
Guyana
SouthAfrica
SouthKorea
Georgia
Haiti
Hawaii
Croatia
India
Netherlands
NetherlandsAntilles
Honduras
Iraq
UnitedKingdom
Iran
Ireland
Scotland
Spain
Israel
Sweden
Switzerland
Italy
Iceland
Jamaica
Japan
NorthernCyprus
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
CanaryIslands
Montenegro
Qatar
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kyrgyzstan
Kiribati
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
DemocraticRepublicofCongo
Kosovo
CostaRica
Kuwait
NorthernIreland
NorthKorea
Cuba
Laos
Lesotho
Latvia
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Hungary
Madagascar
Macedonia
Malawi
Maldives
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
MarshallIslands
Mauritius
Mexico
Egypt
Micronesia
Mongolia
Moldova
Monaco
Montserrat
Mauritania
Mozambique
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Niger
Nigeria
Nicaragua
Norway
CentralAfricanRepublic
Uzbekistan
Pakistan
Palau
Panama
PapuaNewGuinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Rwanda
Russia
Samoa
SanMarino
SaintKittsanNevis
SaintLucia
SaintVincentandtheGrenadines
SãoToméandPríncipe
Senegal
Seychelles
Serbia
SierraLeone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
SolomonIslands
Somalia
SriLanka
Sudan
Suriname
SaudiArabia
Swaziland
Chile
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Taiwan
Togo
Tonga
TrinidadandTobago
Tunisia
Tuvalu
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
Oman
Uruguay
Jordan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
NewZealand
Greece
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Which Country Nationals Cannot Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Real Estate?

Nationals of countries not recognized by Turkey, such as the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Abkhazia, Somaliland, and South Ossetia, cannot purchase real estate in Turkey with documents from these countries and obtain Turkish citizenship through this method. Exceptions to acquiring citizenship are Mardin, Kilis, and Hatay provinces. According to the Council of Ministers Decision No. 14273, the sale of property to foreigners is prohibited in Mardin, Kilis, and Hatay provinces due to public interest and national security. However, in practice, real estate sales to foreigners can still occur in these cities.

Can Syrian Nationals Obtain Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase?

Due to the international situation following the civil war in Syria, Syrian nationals are not eligible to obtain citizenship through real estate purchase in Turkey. Therefore, Syrian citizens with temporary protection status or valid Syrian passports residing in Turkey cannot acquire Turkish citizenship through purchasing real estate.

Does Acquiring Turkish Citizenship Terminate Existing Citizenship?

Foreign nationals applying for Turkish citizenship are not required to renounce their current citizenship. However, they should check the laws of their country of origin to determine if it allows dual citizenship.

Is There a Requirement to Notify the Authorities of the Applicant’s Country of Origin?

No. There is no requirement to notify the authorities of the applicant’s country of origin about the change in citizenship status.

What Steps Should Be Followed to Apply for Turkish Citizenship?

1. Obtain a notarized restriction on the title deed stating that the property cannot be sold for three years.
2. Obtain a foreign exchange purchase certificate from the relevant bank.
3. Apply to the relevant Land Registry Office for a certificate of compliance.
4. Apply for a residence permit at the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
5. After receiving the residence permit, apply for citizenship at the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs with the required documents.

What Documents Are Needed for Turkish Citizenship Application Through Real Estate Purchase?

To apply for Turkish citizenship through real estate purchase, the following documents are required:

• Title deed of the property
• Foreign exchange purchase certificate
• Payment receipts for the property
• Passport translation
• Birth certificate

Is a Residence Permit Required for Acquiring Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase?

Yes. Foreigners wishing to obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate must first obtain a residence permit in Turkey. Existing residence permits do not exempt the applicant from the need to apply for a specific residence permit for citizenship purposes.

What Documents Are Required for a Residence Permit for Citizenship?

For a residence permit obtained for the purpose of citizenship, the following documents are provided:

• Residence permit application form
• Passport translation
• Biometric photo
• Statement of sufficient and regular financial means for the duration of stay
• Receipt for residence permit and card fees
• Valid health insurance
• Document showing registration in the address registration system
• Document showing the place of residence

What Documents Are Needed for the Final Application for Turkish Citizenship at the Provincial Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship Affairs?

The final stage of a citizenship application involves submitting documents to the provincial directorate. The required documents are:

• Application form
• Passport
• Marital status certificate
• Birth certificate
• Population registration sample
• Receipt for service fee
• Biometric photo

Can a Foreigner Purchase Real Estate Without Coming to Turkey?

Yes, foreigners can purchase real estate and apply for citizenship without coming to Turkey. This process can be conducted through a power of attorney given to a lawyer.

Can the Purchased Property Be Sold Immediately?

No. Property purchased for the purpose of obtaining citizenship cannot be sold to third parties for three years as stated in the title deed restriction.

Can I Obtain Citizenship with a Property Worth Less Than $400,000?

According to Turkish laws, the minimum amount required for citizenship application through real estate purchase is $400,000 USD or the equivalent in Turkish Lira. If the property’s value is below this amount, it must be supplemented to reach the $400,000 threshold before applying for citizenship. However, it is possible to obtain a residence permit with a property valued below $400,000. If multiple properties are purchased and their combined value exceeds $400,000, citizenship application can be made starting from the second purchase.

Can I Apply for Citizenship if I Purchase a Property Jointly with My Spouse?

One common mistake in citizenship applications through real estate purchase is buying property jointly. In this case, each co-owner can only apply for citizenship based on their share of the property. Therefore, if a $400,000 property is purchased with a 50% share, each co-owner will be considered to have bought $200,000 worth of property and will not qualify for citizenship.

Do Spouses and Children Have the Right to Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase?

Spouses and children under 18 of those who meet the real estate purchase conditions can acquire citizenship through their spouse or parent.

Can I Legally Reside in Turkey if My Property Is Worth Less Than $400,000?

Foreigners residing in Turkey can legally stay if they purchase a property. In metropolitan areas, a property worth $75,000 is sufficient, while in other areas, a $50,000 property is enough. If the uninterrupted legal residence exceeds 5 years, foreigners are eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship. However, this process is not as straightforward as acquiring citizenship through real estate purchase.

Is It Necessary to Purchase a Residential Property to Obtain Citizenship Through Real Estate?

No. Purchasing any real estate suitable for sale for more than $400,000 is sufficient to apply for Turkish citizenship.

What Is the Role of a Lawyer in the Process of Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Through Real Estate Purchase?

Turkish citizenship can be acquired by foreigners through the purchase of real estate above a certain value as per Turkish laws. Following the detailed procedures mentioned above, a foreign national can obtain Turkish citizenship with ministerial approval. While individuals can apply for citizenship themselves, there are many important steps and meticulous preparation is required. It is crucial to work with experts to avoid rejection due to incomplete documents or other issues. DG Law Office provides comprehensive legal and technical support for Turkish citizenship applications through our expert team. For more detailed information, you can contact us through our communication channels.