Despite setbacks and low operating costs, Turkey has a lot to offer, for foreigners with its thriving economy and qualified workforce. In addition to the advantages, which also enable investors to obtain Turkish citizenship through their investments on its land, particularly, by purchasing a property.

There are currently several different options for obtaining Turkish citizenship through investment: such as buying a property, investing an amount of money in the bank, buying government bonds, and opening an investment account with a Turkish bank. Basically, these conditions were drawn up a long time ago, but they change from time to time.

How to obtain Turkish citizenship 2024

The applicant for Turkish citizenship must be an adult. If the applicant has not reached the legal age, he can only apply for Turkish citizenship through the application of his parents. The applicant must have resided permanently in Turkey for five years, as to stay in the country for at least 180 days each year, with proofs of that.

In addition to having good behavior with the necessary sense of responsibility towards the country, building trust with society members, and not having bad behaviors or habits that conflict with the values ​​of society (no bad record in Turkey).

An important condition is the ability to speak Turkish language in a way that allows one to adapt to social life. And that he has an income or a job to cover the living expenses of him or his family.

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Obtaining Turkish citizenship by buying a property

Foreigners can obtain Turkish citizenship by buying a property with a minimum value of $400,000 providing nor to resale for at least three years. In Turkey, the possession of real estate title deeds may only be approved upon registration with the Land Registry Directorates. Where the primary real estate contracts, issued by notaries or concluded by normal people in writing, are not granted for the transfer of ownership itself, it acts only as an obligation to transfer the ownership; the property in question is not transmitted by these tools.

Encumbrances such as mortgages, liens and similar types of restrictions that may exist in relation to the said property that would prevent its sale must be ascertained before proceeding with the procedures in the Land Registry Directorate.

Inquiries about properties can be made online at parselsorgu.tkgm.gov.tr, where specific details of the city, neighborhood/village and map section can be used to search for the property. Basic information about a property, including its current status, can be accessed online from anywhere in the world. However, the owner's personal information remains inaccessible.

Foreign nationals do not need to obtain a residence permit as a prerequisite for obtaining real estate in Turkey. In addition, foreigners who acquire real estate in Turkey are granted short-term, renewable residence permits under Law No. 6458 on Foreigners and International Protection.

Anyone intends to acquire real estate in Turkey is required to apply to the General Directorate of Land Registry along with the property owner. In addition, they can call the 181 call center, who are available around the clock, or visit randevu.tkgm.gov.tr ​​to make an appointment without the need to visit the directorate offices in person.

Obtaining Turkish citizenship by a work contract

One of the cheapest ways to immigrate to Turkey is to find a job or get a job offer from a Turkish employer. The good news is that you can stay in the country for about 30 days without a visa. Therefore, it is possible to search for a suitable job personally. After finding a job and spending at least 5 years in the country, you can apply for a Turkish passport.

You can also search for a job online. The employer must submit the foreign employment application within 10 working days on the website of the Turkish Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The job seeker also has up to 30 days to submit his application with all relevant documents to the Turkish Embassy or Consulate. The job seeker must obtain his residence card with a Turkish work visa.

We must mention that job seekers are required to know Turkish and English, in some cases. Other work visas are also available in Turkey, such as work visas for artists, athletes, journalists, technicians and university professors. The average wage in Turkey for international workers ranges from $35,000 to $105,000.

Some fields, including economics, information technology, computer engineering, restaurant chain managers, and engineers, have a better chance.

How to apply for Turkish citizenship

There are three main steps to be followed in the process of applying for Turkish citizenship by investment:

Obtaining a certificate of eligibility

In order to obtain Turkish citizenship by real estate investment you have to apply to the relevant government agencies to obtain a certificate of eligibility. In the case of real estate purchase, it is the General Directorate of Land Registry at the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

Obtaining a residence permit

Apply to the Regional Directorate of Migration. Documents required to apply for a residence permit:

• Residence permit application form.
• Passport and one copy of it.
• A copy of the previous residence permit document.
• Four personal photos.
• Evidence that the applicant has not received any social assistance from government institutions and organizations during the past three years.
• Evidence of sufficient and sustainable financial resources for the duration of the stay.
• criminal record document.
• Valid medical insurance.

Citizenship application

Apply to the Census and Nationality Directorate for settlement and prepare the citizenship file and send it to NVIGM.

In Turkey, the term "foreigner" is defined in three categories in regard of buying real estate:

• Normal foreigners.
• Legal foreigners.
• Turkish companies with foreign capital.

New Amendments

In mid-2022, The Turkish government made amendments to obtaining Turkish citizenship in exceptional ways, such as investing, buying real estate, or employment.

According to the recent amendments, a foreigner can obtain Turkish citizenship by buying a property of $400,000, providing that the property is not sold within 3 years.

In another amendment, the condition of depositing a sum of money in Turkish banks for obtaining citizenship was raised to $500,000.

The amendments also stipulated setting the value of the fixed investment for obtaining citizenship to $500,000.

In this context and under "the regulation to amend the regulation related to the application of the Turkish Nationality Law", a foreigner willing to obtain Turkish citizenship, through one of the above-mentioned methods, will sell his specified foreign currencies to the Central Bank of Turkey through active banks in the country.

The Turkish lira that resulted from selling the dollar to the Turkish Central Bank will be kept in lira accounts in the bank, or with one of the government debt instruments, for a period of no less than 3 years.

Finally, with the text of the Turkish law specific to what was mentioned

According to the amendment made in Circular No. 2019/5 issued within the scope of the implementation regulations of the Turkish Citizenship Law, major changes have been made in implementing the Turkish Citizenship Law, effective as of 01.01.2023.

Changes regarding the Pre-Sales Agreement:

• It is required that the transactions based on the pre-sale agreement regarding the sale of immovable property should be made by one contract as of 01.01.2023. In other words, if the initial sale agreement is signed for more than one property, the application for Turkish citizenship cannot be submitted, even if the total price exceeds $400,000.
• Immovables purchased under a preliminary sale agreement cannot be used with other immovables to complete the price of $400,000.

Changes related to selling shares:

It will not be possible to apply for citizenship through jointly owned property. For example, even if two foreigners own a property worth $900,000 in equal shares, they will not be able to apply for citizenship. For each immovable property, its owner may be only one foreigners and only the foreign owner will be able to apply for citizenship.

Changes related to the foreign currency purchase document:

The pre-sale agreement stipulates that foreign exchange purchase documents must be issued against the minimum amount paid in advance, and no later than the date of the contract.

Other important changes:

• It is now possible to use secure payment systems optionally offered by banks in the transfer/payment of immovable property. In this context, payment with a blocked check is expressly permitted.
• The real estate used and subject to sale or the initial sale agreement should not be among the immovable funds transferred to a Turkish citizen/company by any real foreign person within the past three years. Acquisitions arising from employment contracts are specified as an exception to this Article.

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