Everything You Need to Know About Turkish Citizenship Through Property Investment
Gaining Turkish citizenship as an investment immigrant is easier than you might expect. You can get a Turkish passport and enjoy the benefits that come with it through a property investment of $250,000. Turkey offers one of the most affordable passport schemes, allowing you to get all the benefits of Turkish citizenship by investing in a property. An estimated 13,325 applicants were approved through the citizenship by investment program. We’re telling you everything that you need to know about the citizenship program, from the benefits you can enjoy to the practicalities of securing your second passport.
Benefits of Turkish Citizenship
Most people look at this citizenship program as a way of getting a second passport, but the benefits of Turkish citizenship are far-reaching. Even during the global pandemic, people are investing in Turkish properties to gain second passports. Turkey’s investor citizenship program is the most popular in the world. It out-performs everywhere from the United States to Australia and Thailand.
Turkey has one of the best national healthcare systems in the world and is ranked 3rd for medical tourism destinations. If you’re planning on moving to Turkey long-term or in the future, the government provides pension programs for citizens. Turkey is the perfect location between East and West to establish any business, with international links and government schemes to encourage investment and SME businesses.
Last rays of sun illuminating historic buildings in Mardin, Turkey.
One reason people opt for Turkish nationality by investment is that it gives access to 170+ universities and international schools. These institutions have a proven track record of sending pupils to some of the top Ivy League colleges in the world. The country offers both free education for children under 18 and university reimbursement plans for citizens. Along with primary school education being free, students don’t need to pay for books or other equipment until they’re at university.
By buying a passport for Turkey, you’ll have the ability to apply for residency in both the UK and the US without being subjected to quote limitations. Your Turkish passport will open doors for you around the world, including visa-free travel to 114 countries. With its strategic location and convenient travel options to Africa, Asia, and Europe, you’ll have the world on your doorstep.
Once you have your Turkish citizenship, you can hand it down through the generations to your children and grandchildren. Children under the age of 18 can get a Turkish passport through your application. If your child is over the age of 18 and has a disability, they’ll also qualify under your application.
How to Get Turkish Citizenship
If you’ve decided to get a second passport by gaining Turkey citizenship by investment, you might be wondering how the process works. We’ve broken it down step-by-step to show you how easy it is to take advantage of Turkey’s citizenship program and how it’s the cheapest passport to buy.
- You need to start by searching for a property in Turkey with a value of over $250,000. You’ll need an estate agent to help you with this, especially if you’re not able to visit Turkey yourself. Elmaslar Real Estate Advisors can help with this property selection, advice, and acquisition. We provide virtual or in-person yours to properties and offer the best prices due to our close relationship with our preferred developer partner.
- Once you’ve chosen your property to buy to get your turkey citizenship by property investment, you need to put down a 10% deposit. You can choose to pay a larger deposit, but the minimum is 10% of the property’s value.
- After paying your deposit, you’ll need to pay off the remainder of your purchase price soon after.
- Your title deed will be available 2-4 weeks after you’ve made your final payment on your new property. It’s worth noting that you’ll need to acquire mandatory earthquake insurance for your property at this stage. We will help you complete these requirements remotely.
Once you’ve secured and paid for your property, you can move on to the next stage of getting your Turkish passport by investment.
- You’ll need to apply for a residence permit, which requires several pieces of personal documentation. You’ll need to submit an eligibility certificate and both the original and certified copies of your passport. Your application will also require biometric photos of yourself and proof of valid health insurance.
- After your application is received, your residency permit should be issued within 7 business days.
When your Turkish residence permit is secure, the next step towards your Turkish passport is to apply for Turkish citizenship. The main challenge with this step is the amount of documentation you’ll have to produce. You’ll need to provide your current residency permit and personal documentation, depending on your circumstances.
If you’re divorced or separated with children, you’ll need permission from your former spouse to grant any children Turkish citizenship. You will have to support documentation proving your marital status, along with your birth certificate and any relevant family statement documents.
This approval stage is the longest step in the process to get dual citizenship. It typically takes between 3 to 4 months after your application submission for you to get approval. During this time, there will be a national security study carried out on your application. There will not be any background checks, including your personal funds, conducted during this time.
After you’ve received notification that you’ve succeeded in your citizenship application, you’ll be able to apply for your Turkish passport. To complete the process, you’ll need to travel to Turkey to complete a fingerprint scan. It’s worth checking with the Turkish consulate in your home country, as they may be able to help you with this process.
When you get a Turkish passport by investment, there’s no requirement for you to reside or even visit Turkey after securing your citizenship.
Turkish Property Selection for Citizenship
It is recommended to purchase a new property from a developer for citizenship application. This ensures that sales price matches the price on the title. In the secondhand market, there could be discrepancies which would cause issues. The good news is there are many great options from property developers that provide modern, smart properties at a good price that you can get value appreciation on your investment. There is also a independent valuation requirement which ensures that your purchase price is in line with the market prices.
Tall modern commercial estate, glass buildings against blue sky.
When you’re searching for a property to allow you to migrate to Turkey, there are a few popular areas you can look at. Although you can buy property in Turkey and get citizenship, it’s a smart investment. The average house price in Turkey goes up by an estimated 11% every year. Turkey also has one of the lowest property tax rates, at just 0.1%. Istanbul is the most popular location for property sales, with an almost 20% share of house sales. If you don’t intend to permanently reside in Turkey, you can put your property on the rental market as a passive stream of income.
There are six locations in Turkey that you should consider when choosing where to purchase your investment property.
- Kosuyolu, Istanbul
Kosuyolu is a district in Istanbul, located on the Anatolian side of the city. Byzantine, Roman, and Greek influences inspired the local architecture. This cosmopolitan area sits on the Asian side of Istanbul and is conveniently located near Bosporus. Kosuyolu, located within the Kadikoy region, is a blend of commercial and residential properties. The area has several prestigious high schools, including Kadikoy Anadolu Lisesi and Saint-Joseph French High School.
- Kagithane, Istanbul
Kagithane is a region of Istanbul that was once predominately working-class before evolving into a popular real estate investment area. It sits on the European side of Istanbul and is developing into a contemporary city. Kagithane is a great location if you’re looking to purchase a property that you can sell in the future or put on the rental market.
- Maltepe, Istanbul
Maltepe is on the Asian side of Istanbul, right next to Kadikoy. This region is a popular choice for young newlyweds or families with young children. Maltepe is famous for its coastline and stunning view of the Princes’ Islands.
- Camlica, Istanbul
One of the most famous locations in Istanbul is Camlica, home to the Grand Camlica Mosque. Valued at over $110 million, the mosque has an art gallery and library that you can take advantage of as a resident. From Camlica Hill, you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of Istanbul. As a popular tourist area, Camlica has everything you’ll need right on your doorstep, from cafes to restaurants and public gardens. Camlica Hill is one of the highest areas in Istanbul, sitting more than 260 meters above the sea. It’s the perfect location for anyone looking to use their Turkish property during the summer months.
- Sultanbeyli, Istanbul
Sultanbeyli is on the outskirts of Istanbul, sitting on the Asian side of the region. It’s one of the cheaper areas in the city to purchase property, making it a suitable choice if you don’t intend to live in Turkey after getting your second passport.
- Antalya
If you want to purchase a property outside of Istanbul, Antalya is a great area to consider. It’s a popular tourist destination and the fifth-most populous city in the country. The city is on the Mediterranean coast and has a population of over one million people. Antalya is a popular location for any investor immigrant.
Elmaslar Real Estate has property options in all of these locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re already looking for a house for sale in Turkey to get your 2nd passport or if you’re considering your options, you’ve no doubt got a myriad of questions. We’ve pulled together the most common questions about how to get a Turkish passport through investment to provide you with all the information you need.
- How can I get a second passport by investing in Turkey?
While there are six different avenues for gaining Turkish citizenship, the most practical option is to purchase a property valued at over $250,000. This citizenship program is more streamlined, and you can have your second passport within a few months.
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Infographic clip art with map of Turkey, Turkish flag and real estate image.
Where can I travel with a Turkish passport?
One reason why people are attracted to buying Turkish nationality is that it opens the door to visa-free travel across the world. 115 countries offer visa-free travel for Turkish citizens, making it an ideal choice for anyone who regularly travels internationally for business.
- Are any countries excluded from Turkey’s citizenship program?
No countries are excluded from the Turkey investment program. All you need to do is purchase a property valued at $250,000 or above. You can also reach the $250,000 threshold by purchasing multiple properties with that combined value.
- Can my children also get Turkish citizenship by investment?
Your spouse and any children under the age of 18 can also get a Turkish passport when through this ‘residency by investment’ program. Any dependent over the age of 18 will only gain Turkish citizenship through your application if they are disabled, requiring continued care from their parents.
- How much does it cost to get Turkish citizenship?
An amendment to the Turkish Citizenship Law in 2018 reduced the financial burden of the citizenship program. The easiest way of gaining a second passport is by purchasing a property worth at least $250,000 in Turkey. There are also lawyer fees of ~$5,000 for property acquisition and citizenship application and closing costs of 2-4% of property purchase price.
- Can I make instalment payments for the purchase price for citizenship?
You will be eligible for citizenship application after $250,000 payment is passed from the investor to developer. For example, if you pay $100,000 and want to pay the rest in instalments over a year, you must wait until after you complete the payments to apply. For this reason, it is recommended to pay the full amount to become a citizen quickly.
- Do I have to visit Turkey to get Turkish nationality?
The Turkish citizenship program is continuously evolving, making it easier for foreign nationals to go through the Turkish immigration system without needing to be in the country. Your local Turkish embassy may be able to help you do the fingerprint portion of your application, meaning you won’t have to visit Turkey itself.
- Do I have to give up my existing citizenship to get a Turkish passport?
Your ability to get dual citizenship will depend on the laws within your country. Turkey allows for dual citizenship, but not every country is the same. It’s worth double-checking if your country allows you to carry a second passport before starting the process to get your Turkish residency by investment. Several countries that impose restrictions on dual citizenships include China, India, and Saudi Arabia. We recommend always doing your research before you start looking at investment properties in Turkey.
- Will I have to do compulsory military service when I get my Turkish passport?
Unlike some other countries, Turkey has a compulsory military service scheme. If you have a child under the age of 18 who also gains Turkish citizenship, they’ll be required to do their compulsory military service when the time comes. If you’ve previously carried out compulsory military service in another country, you’ll need to document this on your residency applications.
Do you need more information about how to invest in Turkey to gain a second passport? Our website is dedicated to giving you all the information you need about the Turkey investment citizenship program. If you’re ready to start looking for your investment property, contact us today to get started.
