Turkey is reshaping its investment-based citizenship program (CBI), which has been in place since 2016, with stricter compliance rules and accelerated processes in 2026. Now, it is not enough to make a suitable investment; you must also prove the source of your funds in a much more transparent manner and fulfill biometric requirements completely.
Investment-Based Turkish Citizenship in 2026: General Framework
The investment-based Turkish citizenship program offers foreign investors the opportunity to obtain Turkish citizenship in exchange for specific amounts of investment. In the 2026 applications:
- There is no physical residency requirement in Turkey.
- However, there is a requirement to come to Turkey at least once to provide biometric (fingerprint) data.
- Investment amounts must be maintained for at least 3 years.
- Spouses and children under 18 can generally be included in the same application.
The program offers an attractive second citizenship alternative, especially for entrepreneurs, senior executives, and global investors, with a combination of access to European and Asian markets, the right to settle in Turkey, and a wide range of visa exemptions.
Who Can Apply for the Program in 2026? Eligibility Criteria
The basic requirements to apply for the program as of 2026 can be summarized as follows:
- Age: The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Clean criminal record: There should be no serious criminal record worldwide and the applicant should not pose a risk in terms of national security.
- Health status: Generally good health without issues related to infectious and serious public health risks.
- Proof of investment: Documenting the completion of the investment with bank receipts, contracts, title deeds, appraisal reports, etc., depending on the chosen investment type.
- Commitment to maintain the investment: A commitment to hold the investment for at least 3 years.
In the 2026 regulations, stricter “due diligence” is applied for certain country groups. However, citizens of no country are completely excluded from the program. Therefore, more comprehensive financial and legal documentation is expected for applications from risk group countries.
2026 Investment Options and Minimum Amounts
The program offers six main investment routes in 2026. All are valid paths to Turkish citizenship; preference varies according to the investor’s risk appetite, liquidity expectations, and the nature of the connection they wish to establish with Turkey.
1. Real Estate Investment – 400,000 USD (Most Common Option)
The real estate route continues to be the most preferred option in 2026 due to the lowest threshold and the most tangible asset collateral:
- Purchase of a residential, commercial property, or land meeting specific conditions worth at least 400,000 USD.
- Registering the property with a commitment not to sell for at least 3 years.
- Purchases can be made in any city in Turkey; Istanbul, Antalya, Ankara, and Izmir are among the most preferred locations.
In the real estate option, the following documents are particularly highlighted:
- Title deed certificate
- Real estate appraisal report prepared by a licensed expert from the Capital Markets Board (SPK)
- If available, purchase contract and payment receipts
Investors looking for portfolio diversification can combine multiple real estate purchases to exceed the total threshold of 400,000 USD.
2. Bank Deposit – 500,000 USD
For those who want to follow a more predictable path based on liquidity and exchange rate risk preferences, the bank deposit option in Turkish banks stands out:
- Converting at least 500,000 USD of foreign currency into Turkish Lira and blocking it in an account opened at a Turkish bank for 3 years.
- This account is opened in the investor’s name, and no withdrawals can be made during the blocking period.
Choosing the right bank product becomes critical to manage the balance of exchange rate risk and interest yield correctly. As of 2026, the YUVAM account is no longer considered a suitable investment vehicle, so these accounts cannot be used for the program.
3. Government Bonds – 500,000 USD
For investors who prefer public debt instruments with a lower risk profile:
- Purchase of government bonds worth at least 500,000 USD.
- There is a commitment not to sell these bonds for 3 years.
Government bonds generally offer more predictable returns; however, the interest environment and inflation expectations should be analyzed well.
4. Fixed Capital Investment – 500,000 USD
The fixed capital investment route stands out for those who want to actively operate a business in Turkey or partner with an existing business:
- Making a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD in a Turkish company.
- Obtaining official approval with documents showing the nature and amount of the investment.
This option opens a strategic door for corporate investors and business people focusing on areas such as production, technology, logistics, and export.
5. Investment Fund Shares – 500,000 USD
For investors who prefer more professionally managed financial products:
- Purchasing shares of a real estate investment fund or venture capital investment fund worth at least 500,000 USD.
- Commitment to hold these shares for 3 years.
Investing indirectly in real estate or venture capital through funds offers the advantage of having a professionally managed portfolio instead of a single asset.
6. Job Creation – At Least 50 Full-Time Employees
For business people who have or plan to establish a company in Turkey, another route is the citizenship path based on job creation:
- Creating at least 50 full-time jobs for Turkish citizens.
- Maintaining this situation with SGK records and payroll during the employment period.
This option also creates a strong prestige element for corporate structures that want to directly link investment to the real economy and employment.
Important Changes in the Program for 2026
The 2026 updates make the program both stronger in terms of compliance and more predictable in terms of processes:
- Tighter compliance standards: The source of funds, bank transactions, and commercial history are examined in much more detail. Additional documents and explanations may be requested, especially for applications from high-risk category countries.
- Removal of the YUVAM account option: This product was removed from the program scope as of 2025. YUVAM accounts are not considered a suitable investment for 2026 applications.
- Mandatory biometric data (fingerprint): It has become mandatory for the applicant and their spouse to provide fingerprints in Turkey. At least one entry into Turkey is required for this process.
- Accelerated processing times: The general process for most files has been revised to be completed in approximately 7–9 months. It may vary depending on the intensity of compliance checks.
- Higher cost awareness and transparency: More transparent disclosure of fees and charges makes it easier to anticipate the total cost in advance.
Application Process and Timeline
The application for Turkish citizenship through investment has a predictable workflow when planned correctly. The typical process for 2026 proceeds as follows:
1. Step – Determining the Investment Strategy
In the initial phase, the investor clarifies their priorities:
- Is it an asset-based investment (real estate), financial instruments (deposit, bond, fund), or real economy (employment, fixed capital)?
- Risk and return expectations, balance of Turkish Lira and foreign currency.
- Whether family members will be included in the application.
In the case of real estate preference, legal review (title due diligence), valuation, and rental potential analyses are critically important before purchase.
2. Step – Opening a Bank Account in Turkey
Regardless of the investment, opening a bank account in Turkey is almost a mandatory intermediate step. At this stage:
- Identity documents, proof of address, and compliance documents are shared with the bank.
- Funds are transferred from abroad to the account in Turkey.
Having clear and documentable fund movements is a critical requirement for the tightened compliance processes in 2026.
3. Step – Executing the Investment and Preparing Documents
The chosen type of investment is executed, and simultaneously, documents for the citizenship file are collected:
- Valid passports and identity documents
- Clean criminal record (for all adult applicants)
- Population registration samples, marriage certificate, etc., documents showing family ties
- Depending on the type of investment, title deed, appraisal report, bank receipts, company documents, etc.
All foreign documents must be translated by a sworn translator, and apostille/approval processes must be completed where necessary.
4. Step – Residence Permit Application
After the investment is completed, a residence permit must be obtained first to lay the groundwork for the citizenship application:
- Application is made to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where the investor is located with documents arranged according to the type of investment.
- The application is evaluated, and if deemed appropriate, a residence card is issued.
5. Step – Submission of Citizenship Application
After obtaining the residence permit, the citizenship file is prepared and submitted to the relevant institutions:
- The application is conducted with the General Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs and the Ministry of Interior.
- The applicant is not required to be in Turkey; however, they must have entered at least once for biometric steps.
At this stage, the file undergoes a detailed examination regarding whether the investment conditions are met, the legitimacy of the source of funds, and security screenings.
6. Step – Providing Biometric Data (Fingerprint)
In the 2026 applications, the applicant and their spouse are required to provide fingerprints in Turkey. Therefore:
- It is necessary to plan to enter Turkey at least once.
- Appointments are completed at designated institutions with identity and application files.
7. Step – Approval and Passport Issuance
After the submission of the application, depending on the workload of the file and the need for additional documents, in most cases:
- Citizenship approval is concluded in approximately 3–4 months.
- The entire process is aimed to be completed within 7–9 months.
- After approval, a Turkish identity card and a 10-year valid Turkish passport are issued.
From this point on, the applicant will have the same rights as a native Turkish citizen; citizenship is also inherited by children.
Costs, Fees, and Tax Aspects
In addition to the investment amount, there are additional cost items to consider in 2026:
- Investment amount: At least 400,000–500,000 USD depending on the route you choose.
- Official fees and state charges: Application, biometric, and card/passport issuance fees for the applicant and family members.
- Legal and consultancy fees: Compliance, investment selection, contracts, application file preparation, and follow-up services.
- Specifically for real estate:
- Title deed tax upon purchase (usually a total rate of 4% based on the sale price)
- Notary, appraisal, expert, and translation costs
- Taxes:
- If you sell the property after 3 years, capital gains tax may come into play.
- Annual declaration and withholding obligations may apply under Turkish tax legislation for rental income, deposit interest, or dividend income.
When planning the total budget, it is reasonable to allocate a security margin of 10–15% not only for the investment threshold but also for these additional cost items.
Strategic Advantages of Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2026
Turkish citizenship offers advantages not only in terms of travel freedom but also in terms of business and living strategy from the perspective of 2026:
- Geographical and economic location: A bridge between Europe and Asia; logistics and trade corridors opening to the EU, Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
- Double agreements and market access: Access to a wide export geography through companies based in Turkey.
- Right to reside and work: Opportunity to live, work, and invest indefinitely in Turkey.
- Family planning: Direct access to education and healthcare systems for children.
However, like any investment decision, this program must be carefully analyzed against factors such as exchange rate risk, political and economic fluctuations.
The Role of Corpenza: Professional Support from Compliance, Tax, and Strategy Perspectives
Investment-based citizenship is not just a passport process; incorporation, international tax planning, family asset management, and mobility strategy should be considered together. In particular:
- Business people who want to follow a fixed capital investment or employment-based route by establishing a company in Turkey,
- Companies planning to send personnel to Europe or globally through Turkey, wanting to work with payroll (EOR) or posted worker models,
- Investors wanting to earn income in multiple countries and avoid double taxation risks
the process becomes much more complex than a classic “investment + passport” equation.
Corpenza specializes in:
- Company establishment and corporate structuring,
- International accounting and tax optimization,
- Sending personnel abroad with payroll/EOR and posted worker models,
- End-to-end coordination in investment-based residency and citizenship programs
as a structure that can contribute to the sustainability of your Turkish citizenship investment from legal, financial, and operational perspectives. Thus, you can not only obtain citizenship but also transform Turkey and other target countries into a well-structured international business and living base.
Conclusion: Acting at the Right Time with the Right Strategy in Turkish Citizenship by Investment in 2026
The 2026 applications bring the Turkish citizenship program to a more predictable and stronger compliance ground. The minimum investment threshold remains competitive on a global scale; processes are becoming more manageable with digitization and accelerated evaluation.
On the other hand, proving the source of funds, biometric requirements, maintaining the investment for 3 years, and tax effects are critical elements that can be overlooked without professional planning. When making a decision, it is essential to look not only at the passport but also at the entire dimensions of business, family, tax, and mobility.
Progressing with expert support on issues such as investment type selection, incorporation needs, payroll, and employment plans increases the chances of application approval and minimizes potential legal and financial risks afterward. Corpenza positions itself as a holistic solution partner for investors and companies wishing to plan this multi-layered process under one roof.
Disclaimer
This text is prepared for general informational purposes regarding the 2026 investment-based Turkish citizenship applications. It does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advisory. Since regulations, practices, and administrative processes may change over time, it is essential to check current official sources and licensed legal and financial advisory experts before making decisions. Corpenza or the parties producing this text cannot be held responsible for the consequences of decisions made based on the information contained herein.
