A Strategic Route to Turkish Citizenship

Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Legal Framework, Investment Routes and Application Process

The Turkish Citizenship by Investment ("TCBI") programme offers qualifying foreign investors and their families an opportunity to obtain Turkish citizenship through an approved investment.

Türkiye occupies a strategically important position between Europe, Asia and the Middle East and offers access to a substantial domestic market, an established banking and financial system, and a diverse range of real estate and investment opportunities. Turkish citizenship may also provide enhanced international mobility, including visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to numerous jurisdictions.

Unlike many residence-by-investment programmes, the Turkish programme provides a direct route to citizenship. Applicants are not required to reside in Türkiye for a minimum period before applying, demonstrate Turkish-language proficiency or establish their principal home in the country.

As of July 2026, the most commonly used investment routes require a qualifying investment of either USD 400,000 or USD 500,000, depending on the selected route, together with a mandatory three-year holding period.

Why Ketenci & Ketenci?

Ketenci & Ketenci has advised international investors on Turkish citizenship, immigration and foreign investment matters since the early development of the TCBI programme.

As a full-service international law firm, we combine citizenship and immigration advice with dedicated capabilities in real estate, banking, corporate law, private client matters and cross-border investment. This allows us to advise not only on the citizenship application itself, but also on the legal and commercial structure through which the qualifying investment is made.

Our team manages the process from initial eligibility assessment through investment completion, the issuance of the Certificate of Conformity, residence permit and citizenship applications, and the delivery of Turkish identity cards and passports.

We regularly advise:

• High-net-worth individuals and their families;
• Entrepreneurs and business owners;
• Investors acquiring Turkish real estate;
• Applicants with complex family, nationality or civil-status circumstances; and
• International introducers, financial advisers and professional service firms.

Each application is managed according to the investor's nationality, family structure, investment objectives, source of funds, existing citizenships and long-term plans.

We coordinate directly with Turkish banks, investment platforms, notaries, land registries, and the Directorate General of Population and Citizenship Affairs to execute investments efficiently and transparently. Our team works across English, Turkish, French, Arabic, Russian, and Mandarin, with qualifications and practical experience in the UK, UAE, Portugal, and the U.S.

Principal Investment Routes

The qualifying thresholds and principal conditions are set out under Article 20 of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law.

Investment route	Minimum requirement	Principal condition
Real estate acquisition	USD 400,000	The property must be subject to a three-year restriction against sale
Real estate investment fund (REIF) or venture capital investment fund (VCIF)	USD 500,000	The qualifying fund units must be held for at least three years
Private Pension System ("BES")	USD 500,000	The contribution must remain in the approved system for at least three years
Turkish bank deposit	USD 500,000	The qualifying deposit must be maintained for three years

Although each route is legally available, real estate, BES and investment funds are generally the most relevant options for private investors.

The applicable legislation, banking practices and administrative requirements may change. The selected route and qualifying amount should therefore be confirmed before any investment is executed.

1. Real Estate Investment

The real estate route requires the acquisition of one or more qualifying properties with a total value of at least USD 400,000 or its equivalent, subject to a restriction preventing the property from being sold for three years.

This remains one of the most widely used routes because it allows the investor to acquire a tangible asset that may generate rental income or be retained for future personal use.

The investment may generally be completed through:

• The purchase and registration of completed property;
• The purchase of more than one qualifying property, provided that the applicable requirements are satisfied; or
• In eligible cases, a notarised promise-to-sell agreement concerning property for which condominium ownership or a condominium easement has been established, provided that the purchase price and land registry requirements are satisfied.

The legal eligibility of a property must be examined before any reservation, deposit or purchase payment is made. Not every property with a market value exceeding USD 400,000 will necessarily qualify for citizenship.

Our review may include:

• Ownership and title-deed verification;
• Mortgage, lien, attachment and encumbrance checks;
• Zoning, construction and occupancy documentation;
• Previous ownership and citizenship-use restrictions;
• Seller eligibility;
• Review of the sale or promise-to-sell agreement;
• Verification of the legally required payment trail;
• Coordination of the official valuation report;
• Registration of the three-year restriction; and
• Application for the Certificate of Conformity.

Ketenci & Ketenci's real estate team assists investors in identifying suitable first-hand properties, including completed projects and developments nearing completion. Recommendations are prepared according to the investor's budget, preferred location, intended use, rental expectations, preferred property size and anticipated exit strategy.

Depending on the circumstances, the title-deed transfer may be completed remotely under a properly issued power of attorney. Alternatively, the investor may travel to Türkiye for a short visit and complete the transaction personally with our team's assistance.

2. Turkish Bank Deposit

Under the bank deposit route, the investor deposits at least USD 500,000 or its qualifying equivalent with a bank operating in Türkiye and undertakes to maintain the investment for three years.

The funds must be transferred and documented in accordance with the applicable Turkish banking and foreign-exchange rules. The account-opening, foreign-exchange conversion, source-of-funds review and restriction procedures must be coordinated carefully with the selected bank.

The process generally involves:

• Obtaining a Turkish tax identification number;
• Opening an account with a participating Turkish bank;
• Transferring the qualifying funds;
• Completing the required foreign-exchange documentation;
• Placing the statutory three-year restriction over the qualifying amount; and
• Obtaining confirmation of conformity through the relevant banking authority.

The bank deposit route may appeal to investors seeking a comparatively straightforward financial structure. However, foreign-exchange exposure, interest rates, bank terms, liquidity restrictions and the applicable conversion mechanism should be reviewed before the investment is made.

3. Real Estate and Venture Capital Investment Funds

An investor may qualify by purchasing at least USD 500,000 or its equivalent in participation units of a Turkish real estate investment fund or venture capital investment fund and holding those units for at least three years.

The qualifying fund must fall within the applicable Turkish capital-markets framework. The investment is typically completed through regulated institutions and requires coordination between the portfolio management company, custodian, Turkish bank, Central Registry Agency and other relevant financial institutions.

The process may include:

• Investor onboarding and KYC review;
• Opening the necessary bank, custody and investment accounts;
• Transfer and conversion of the investment funds;
• Subscription for qualifying fund units;
• Registration of the units in the investor's name;
• Registration of the citizenship-related holding restriction; and
• Application for the Certificate of Conformity through the Capital Markets Board.

Fund investments involve financial and market risk. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, and the fund's strategy, management fees, redemption terms, liquidity profile, portfolio composition and exit procedure should be reviewed carefully before subscription.

4. Private Pension System ("BES")

The Turkish Private Pension System, commonly known as "BES", offers a professionally managed and flexible investment route to Turkish citizenship. To qualify, an investor must contribute at least USD 500,000 or its foreign-currency equivalent to an approved citizenship pension plan and remain in the system for three years.

The investment is transferred through the designated banking channel, converted into Turkish lira and allocated among eligible pension funds selected by the investor. The portfolio remains legally owned by the investor and is professionally managed within Türkiye's regulated private pension framework.

Why Investors May Consider BES

BES allows investors to diversify their capital across a range of permitted pension funds rather than holding the entire investment in a conventional bank deposit or a single asset. Investors may revise their fund allocation up to 12 times per year, enabling the portfolio to be adjusted according to market conditions, performance expectations and individual risk preferences.

The route may be particularly attractive to investors seeking professional portfolio management, diversification and potential capital appreciation without the responsibilities associated with purchasing and managing real estate. As with all market-based investments, portfolio performance and returns cannot be guaranteed.

BES Application Process

A BES-based citizenship application generally proceeds as follows:

• Selection of an authorised pension company and qualifying citizenship plan;
• Selection of the permitted pension funds in which the contribution will be invested;
• Execution of the pension agreement and related application documents;
• Transfer and conversion of the qualifying investment into Turkish lira;
• Allocation of the contribution among the selected pension funds;
• Registration of the mandatory three-year holding period;
• Issuance of the Certificate of Conformity;
• Submission of the residence permit application; and
• Submission and follow-up of the Turkish citizenship application.

Ketenci & Ketenci coordinates the entire process with the pension company, bank and competent authorities, including the pension documentation, transfer and investment procedures, Certificate of Conformity, residence permit and citizenship applications.

Including Family Members

A qualifying main investor may ordinarily include:

• Their spouse; and
• Their children under the age of 18.

The spouse and minor children do not need to make separate investments. They are included within the citizenship application connected to the main investor's qualifying investment.

Adult children are not ordinarily eligible as dependants under the same investment application and may need to qualify independently. Special circumstances, including disability or legal dependency, require individual assessment.

The Application Process

Although the detailed procedure varies according to the investment route, a standard TCBI application generally follows these stages:

• Initial legal assessment: Review of eligibility, nationality, family composition, source of funds and investment objectives.
• Power of attorney: Preparation of a tailored power of attorney allowing our lawyers to complete the agreed procedures on the investor's behalf.
• Tax and banking arrangements: Obtaining the Turkish tax identification number and opening the necessary bank, custody or investment accounts.
• Completion of the investment: Acquisition of the property, placement of the bank deposit, subscription for fund units or establishment of the BES contract.
• Registration of the three-year restriction: The qualifying investment is formally restricted for the applicable statutory period.
• Certificate of Conformity: The responsible authority verifies that the investment meets the citizenship requirements.
• Residence permit: The main investor and eligible family members apply for the special short-term residence permit associated with the investment.
• Citizenship application: The complete citizenship file is submitted to the competent authority.
• Security and administrative review: The application undergoes background checks and assessment by the relevant Turkish authorities.
• Approval and registration: Following approval, the applicants are registered as Turkish citizens.
• Identity cards and passports: Turkish identity cards and passports may then be requested in Türkiye or, where available, through a Turkish consular mission abroad.

Processing periods vary according to the investment route, the applicant's background, document completeness, family structure and the workload of the relevant authorities. No professional adviser can guarantee approval or a fixed completion date.

Remote Representation and Visits to Türkiye

Most of the process may be completed remotely through a properly drafted power of attorney. We can obtain the investor's Turkish tax identification number, coordinate bank account opening, complete the qualifying investment and manage the relevant application procedures on the investor's behalf.

The investor's personal attendance in Türkiye is required only for the biometric procedures relating to the residence permit and citizenship applications. Both procedures can be coordinated during a single short visit. We arrange the necessary appointments and documentation in advance to ensure that the visit is completed as efficiently as possible.

Full-Scope Legal Services

Ketenci & Ketenci provides end-to-end support throughout the citizenship process, including:

• Preliminary eligibility and risk assessment;
• Comparison of real estate, bank deposit, fund and BES routes;
• Investment structuring and strategic planning;
• Preparation and coordination of powers of attorney;
• Turkish tax identification and bank account procedures;
• Property sourcing through our dedicated real estate team;
• Property due diligence and transaction documentation;
• Official valuation and title-deed coordination;
• Bank deposit and foreign-exchange procedures;
• Investment fund subscription and custody coordination;
• BES onboarding and pension contract support;
• Certificate of Conformity applications;
• Residence permit and biometric procedures;
• Preparation and submission of citizenship files;
• Ongoing liaison with the competent authorities;
• Turkish identity card and passport procedures; and
• Post-citizenship assistance with property, banks, fund management, corporate and private client matters.

An International Client Base

We represent investors from North America, Europe, the Gulf, the CIS, South and East Asia, Africa and other regions.

Whether the applicant is an entrepreneur, family office principal, senior executive, international investor or family seeking greater mobility and long-term security, our role is to provide clear, commercially informed and legally robust advice throughout the process.

Speak With Our Senior Legal Team

To arrange a confidential consultation or request our detailed Turkish Citizenship by Investment briefing, please contact:

Ketenci & Ketenci International Legal Practice
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ketencilaw.com

This publication is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. Investment thresholds, administrative practices and documentation requirements may change. Individual advice should be obtained before making any investment or citizenship application.