Citizenship through investment in Turkey is not a single transaction; it is a process consisting of complementary steps such as proper structuring of the investment, documentation of the source, obtaining a compliance certificate, residence permit, and preparing a complete citizenship file. The program offers a path to Turkish citizenship for the investor and their family while promoting qualified investments through real estate, capital/deposit, or employment-based investment options. In this guide, we address the application flow, critical points, and common mistakes step by step, taking into account the 2026 updates.
Why Does the Risk Increase If the “Process” Is Not Managed Properly?
The main risk in citizenship through investment is the prolongation of the process or the return of the file at the compliance certificate stage or during security/compliance checks, despite meeting the investment amount. As of 2026, a stricter due diligence approach and a goal for greater transparency have emerged in the program, making the source of funds, document standards, and technical conditions of the investment more significant.
Therefore, the process means not only “making the investment” but also selecting the right investment channel, preparing documents in the correct format, and creating a file that meets the expectations of the relevant institutions.
Overview of Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment Program
The Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program was formalized in 2017, providing a model for foreign investors to obtain Turkish citizenship in exchange for investments made under certain criteria in the Turkish economy. One of the prominent advantages of the program is that Turkey allows dual citizenship, enabling the investor to retain their existing citizenship.
Minimum Investment Options (2026 Thresholds)
The application proceeds through one of three main investment routes. With the 2026 updates, the outlines of the thresholds are preserved: 400,000 USD in real estate, 500,000 USD in capital/deposit.
1) Real Estate Investment (Most Common Route)
- Minimum investment amount: 400,000 USD
- Can be residential or commercial real estate.
- Multiple properties can be purchased; the total value must reach the 400,000 USD threshold.
- The property(ies) must be held for at least 3 years; sales cannot be made during this period.
- A 3-year sales prohibition (annotation) must be added to the title deed.
- A licensed valuation report is a critical part of the process.
The most common mistake in the real estate route is technical deficiencies in the title deed annotation, the standard of the valuation report, or the calculation of the total investment amount. Therefore, proceeding with a pre-purchase checklist prevents difficult-to-correct delays later.
2) Capital Investment / Bank Deposit / Funds
- Minimum investment amount: 500,000 USD
- Structured through deposits in Turkish banks or certified investment instruments/funds.
- Funds must be held in the system for at least 3 years; interest income can be earned during this period.
This option requires meticulous planning in terms of the correct selection of the bank/product, consistency of documents showing the source of the investment, and the proper structuring of the 3-year “holding” obligation.
3) Establishing a Business or Employment Investment
- At least 50 Turkish citizens must be employed.
- Approval and verification by the relevant ministry is required.
The employment route often requires not only recruitment but also payroll, SGK processes, and operational sustainability. Therefore, it is one of the most “operational” investment alternatives.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility requirements for the application include personal eligibility beyond the completion of the investment. The applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old,
- Hold a valid passport,
- Provide a clean criminal record,
- Not have a history of illegal stay in Turkey,
- Be able to prove the legal source of investment funds,
- Pass security and background checks,
- Complete the minimum investment requirements.
Especially due to the emphasis on stricter due diligence in the 2026 approach, documents proving the source of funds (income, savings, sales, company profits, dividends, etc.) become one of the most critical parts of the file.
Turkey’s Citizenship Application Process (Step by Step)
The process encompasses two parallel lines centered on “investment” and “citizenship”: proving the eligibility of the investment and completing the citizenship file.
Step 1: Choose the Type of Investment (Strategic Decision)
Is it real estate, deposit/fund, or employment? This decision varies according to your budget, risk preferences, operational plan in Turkey, and time goals. For example, real estate is popular because it progresses through tangible assets; however, the technical title/deed steps must be managed meticulously.
Step 2: Conduct Due Diligence
At this stage, a preliminary check of both the investment and the application profile is conducted. Proof of source of funds determines the integrity of the file. Since stricter procedures have emerged in the 2026 updates to prevent fraud, it is critically important to set up the document set correctly from the beginning.
Step 3: Make the Investment and Obtain Technical Documents
- In real estate: Official purchase, title deed transactions, annotation of sales prohibition on the title, and licensed valuation report.
- In deposit/funds: Bank transfers, account/product documents, certificates if necessary, and documentation of the 3-year holding commitment.
- In employment: Company structure, recruitment, and a proof set suitable for ministry verification.
At this stage, simply saying “I made the investment” is not enough; you need to establish a document architecture that proves the investment is fully compliant with the program criteria.
Step 4: Obtain the Compliance Certificate
This is the key threshold for the citizenship application. Without a compliance certificate showing that the investment meets the program requirements, you cannot progress healthily in the citizenship process. Therefore, every detail of the investment (amount, method, restrictions, reports) is designed according to the certificate requirements.
Step 5: Apply for a Residence Permit (Mandatory Step)
Even if you do not plan to live in Turkey, a temporary residence permit application is required during the investor citizenship process. This application often proceeds to include the family as well. Additionally, the main applicant may need to open a bank account in Turkey.
Step 6: Submit the Citizenship Application File
Once the certificates, translations, identity documents, and other paperwork are completed, the application is submitted to the relevant institution. At this point, even a small document inconsistency (name spelling, date format, translation standard, apostille/correction deficiencies) can extend the timeline.
Step 7: Biometric Procedures
The applicant may need to visit Turkey to provide biometric data while progressing through the citizenship certificate/passport stages. Planning travel according to the file timeline reduces delays.
Step 8: Citizenship Approval and Passport
After approval, citizenship documents are issued, and the passport application is initiated. This part of the process is directly related to how well the file was structured in previous steps.
Processing Time: How to Create a Realistic Timeline?
In practice, the process varies depending on the quality of the file and the speed of due diligence, but it generally progresses within a timeline of 3–6 months; in some cases, it can extend to 6–12 months. Although there is a speed target with digital application systems in 2026, the practical outcome depends on the accuracy of the documents, the clarity of the investment, and the pace of institutional reviews.
When creating a timeline, consider the following points:
- Time to prepare source of funds documents
- Valuation and title timeline in real estate
- Process of obtaining the compliance certificate
- Residence permit and biometric appointment timelines
Including Family: Who Falls Under Citizenship?
The program allows the main investor to include their spouse and dependent children under 18 in the citizenship application. The most critical issue in family files is the correct translation and certification of documents showing the familial relationship (population records, birth/marriage certificates).
Required Documents: File Checklist
While the application file varies according to the investment route, the following documents are often required:
- Valid passport
- Identity documents and necessary translations
- Clean criminal record
- Proof of investment (title deed, bank receipts, fund documents, etc.)
- Financial documents and proof of source of funds
- In real estate, title deed document, mortgage and annotation records if any
- Licensed valuation report (critical in the real estate route)
The language, signature, date, translation, certification, and apostille requirements in the documents may vary depending on the country from which the application is made. Therefore, a country-based checklist is more reliable than a “standard file” approach.
2026 Updates: How Will They Affect Applications?
As of 2026, the direction of the program indicates greater transparency and stricter oversight:
- Stricter due diligence: Higher precision in source of funds and background checks
- Digital application systems: Aiming for acceleration in some steps
- Increased transparency: Increased visibility in approved projects/banks/funds
- Improved accounting for family inclusion: Document standards and depth of control in family files may increase
- Thresholds: 400,000 USD in real estate, 500,000 USD in capital
This scenario makes the approach of “quickly making the investment and then sorting out the file” riskier. Generally, establishing a document strategy first and then executing the investment yields healthier results.
Cost and Tax Dimension: What Should You Pay Attention To?
In addition to the citizenship threshold, you need to evaluate the following items to budget the project realistically:
- Valuation, notary/translation, certification expenses
- Costs associated with the residence permit application
- Transaction costs and possible taxes/fees in real estate purchases
- Banking transaction costs, product conditions in capital/deposit routes
- In the employment route, payroll, SGK, tax, and operational continuity
The tax side may vary based on personal tax liability, residence status, and sources of income. Therefore, considering the investment decision from an international tax and compliance perspective reduces surprises in the long run.
Why Is Professional Support Critical in This Process?
Citizenship through investment is a multi-stakeholder process: the correct establishment of the investment, banking/real estate documentation, compliance certificate, residence permit, biometrics, and citizenship file… Each stage affects the others. Especially since a stricter review period has begun as of 2026, even the smallest document inconsistency can extend the timeline.
Corpenza addresses the need for end-to-end organization professionally, from structuring the investment to coordinating the residence permit process, managing family files, and the process timeline. Additionally, for those planning to establish operations in Turkey after investment, managing complementary issues such as international accounting, payroll, and incorporation under one roof strengthens the sustainability of the process.
Conclusion: A Well-Structured File Leads to a More Predictable Timeline
Turkey’s citizenship by investment program offers significant mobility and future planning tools to the investor and their family when the right type of investment is chosen and the file is well prepared. The determining factor for success is often not “investing the minimum amount” but rather accurately structuring the path to the compliance certificate, clearly proving the source of funds, and managing the residence permit/citizenship steps according to the timeline.
Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes; it does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Regulations and practices may change over time. We recommend checking current official procedures before applying and obtaining professional advice suitable for your situation.
