Ways and Conditions to Obtain Turkish Citizenship 2026

2026-11-01

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Ways and Conditions to Obtain Turkish Citizenship 2026

Turkey offers several ways to obtain its citizenship, most notably through long-term residence and marriage to a Turkish citizen, in addition to the exceptional citizenship via investment. In the latter path, it suffices to purchase real estate valued at at least 400,000 US dollars and keep it for three years, or deposit 500,000 US dollars in a Turkish bank, or other investment options stipulated by Turkish Nationality Law No. 5901 and its executive regulations.

Thousands of investors, especially from Arab countries, have been attracted by this pathway due to the ease it provides in travel and opportunities for work and investment. Nevertheless, it remains an investment decision with its conditions and durations, including the commitment not to sell the property or withdraw the deposit for three years, and it is affected by fluctuations in real estate prices and currency. Therefore, this guide reviews the ways to obtain Turkish citizenship and the conditions of each, step by step.

Table of contents

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Through Property Purchase - Statistics
What is the Naturalization Law in Turkey?
Advantages of the Turkish Passport
What Are the Ways to Obtain the Turkish Passport?
Obtaining the Turkish Passport Through Investment
Obtaining the Turkish Passport Through Marriage or Descent
Other Cases for Obtaining the Turkish Passport
What Are the Conditions for Obtaining the Turkish Passport?
First: Conditions to Be Met by the Property
Second: Conditions to Be Met by the Property Buyer
What Are the Procedures to Obtain the Turkish ID?
Stages of Naturalization in Turkey 2026

Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Through Property Purchase - Statistics

The number of holders of the real estate conformity certificate from 2017 to early 2020 reached approximately 6,694 foreign nationals. This certificate constitutes the initial step in the journey toward obtaining Turkish citizenship through real estate ownership in Turkey.

Statistics show substantial numbers of investors who obtained Turkish citizenship through their successful real estate investments with very simple procedures. In most cases, the period to obtain Turkish citizenship after property acquisition did not exceed 90 days.

Given the importance of this matter, we address some points summarizing the topic and answer key questions and inquiries frequently raised by those interested.

What is the Naturalization Law in Turkey?

The Turkish Nationality Law is Law No. 5901 issued in 2009. Its implementation is regulated by the executive regulation issued by the Cabinet on 11/02/2010 under No. 2010/139. The citizenship through investment pathway was added to this regulation in 2017 and has been amended several times, most recently by Presidential Decree No. 5554 published in the Official Gazette on May 13, 2022. Today, the types of investments eligible for citizenship include:

Real Estate Ownership: Purchase of one or more properties worth at least 400,000 US dollars, with a notation on the title deed (tapu) prohibiting sale for three years. Since December 2023, the property must be a residential or commercial unit separated (condominiums or easements), or land with a building on it.
Bank Deposit: Deposit of at least 500,000 US dollars in a Turkish bank, with no withdrawal for three years.
Investment in Fixed Capital: At least 500,000 US dollars with the approval of the Ministry of Industry and Technology.
Purchase of Government Bonds: At least 500,000 US dollars, held for three years.
Purchase of Shares in Real Estate Investment Funds or Venture Capital Funds: At least 500,000 US dollars, held for three years.
Employment of Turkish Citizens: Providing jobs for at least 50 individuals.

For more information on the Turkish Nationality Law and its amendments, see the following link titled: «Exclusive Translation of the Main Turkish Citizenship Laws Through Real Estate Investment»

Advantages of the Turkish Passport

The Turkish passport holds a respectable global ranking, placing 46th on the Henley Passport Index for 2026. It allows holders to enter 113 destinations without a prior visa, either visa-free or with a visa on arrival.

There are many advantages of Turkish citizenship that people seldom recognize, chief among them the ability to apply for the US investor visa category E-2, which is available to nationals of countries having a commerce and navigation treaty with the United States, including Turkey. This visa grants a residence permit for up to two years per entry, renewable as long as the investment project is ongoing. It is important to note that US law requires that applicants who obtained citizenship through investment have resided in that country continuously for at least three years before applying for this visa.

Among the main countries that Turkish passport holders can enter visa-free are Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Georgia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, Brunei, South Africa, and Northern Cyprus. South Korea can be entered after obtaining an electronic travel authorization (K-ETA).

Countries allowing entry with a visa on arrival or e-visa include Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain (with prior electronic visa).

Regarding Europe, Schengen countries still require a visa. However, the European Union approved in July 2025 eased rules for Turkish citizens residing in Turkey. Those who have used two short-term visas legally in the prior three years can obtain a multiple-entry Schengen visa valid for one year, then three years, then five years.

Also, see our article on: The Strength of the Turkish Passport.

What Are the Ways to Obtain the Turkish Passport?

In summary, the Turkish passport can be obtained through several methods, some related to investment, some to descent, and others through different cases granting Turkish citizenship.

Obtaining the Turkish Passport Through Investment

These include:

Real estate ownership: valued over 400,000 US dollars, with a condition not to sell the property for 3 years.
Financial deposit: by depositing 500,000 US dollars in a Turkish bank for 3 years.
Investment in Turkey: with a capital of no less than 500,000 US dollars.
Employment of 50 Turkish citizen employees.

Invest by buying an apartment in Istanbul and obtain Turkish citizenship

Obtaining the Turkish Passport Through Marriage or Descent

Marriage to a Turkish citizen: with the marriage continuing for 3 years.
Proof of descent from Turkish ancestors: through proof such as an Ottoman document or an accredited certificate.
Adoption: if a child under legal age is adopted by a Turkish citizen.

Other Cases for Obtaining the Turkish Passport

Residence in Turkey with a work permit for 5 years.
Exceptional Turkish citizenship: usually granted to certain individuals such as skilled expatriates residing in Turkey.

What Are the Conditions for Obtaining the Turkish Passport?

Each of the aforementioned cases has different conditions, but here we focus on the conditions related specifically to real estate ownership citizenship, as this is our main concern.

First: Conditions to Be Met by the Property

In the case of buying property and obtaining Turkish citizenship, Turkish law requires certain conditions for the property ownership, which are:

The value of the purchased property or properties must be 400,000 US dollars or more, or its equivalent in Turkish currency according to the exchange rate.
The property must be formally registered with the title deed office, whether the property is ready or comprises condominiums/units under construction.
The property must be purchased from a Turkish individual or a Turkish construction company.
The payment for the property must be made through a formal bank transfer.
Foreigners must obtain a real estate valuation report from a government-approved appraisal company.

Second: Conditions to Be Met by the Property Buyer

The buyer must be of one of the nationalities listed under the citizenship by property ownership decision; the law covers all nationalities except some specific ones, such as North Korea and Syria.
The buyer must be an adult.
Citizenship is granted to the property owner, his spouse, and children under 18 years old.
The buyer must commit to not selling the property for 3 years from the date of purchase.

What Are the Procedures to Obtain the Turkish ID?

The required documents to complete Turkish citizenship procedures include:

A copy of the title deed of the purchased property (Tapu), or the sales promise contract/installment sales contract (when buying under condominium ownership or off-plan) verified by a notary.
Real estate valuation report: issued by a licensed appraisal institution approved by the Turkish government, valid for 3 months, typically processed within two to three working days.
Original payment receipts for the property price from the buyer’s bank account, stamped by the remitting bank.
Original receipt of payment received in the seller’s bank account, stamped by the receiving bank.
These receipts serve as proof of payment and transfer from buyer to seller accounts.
Two copies of a power of attorney from the property buyer to the legal team to apply and follow up on citizenship procedures, organized by a notary in Turkey.
Translated passports into Turkish for all family members—husband, wife, and children under 18—and notarized by a Turkish notary.
Translated and certified birth certificates for all family members (spouse and children under 18).
Translated and certified copy of the marriage contract.
Translation of the family registry book or family declaration document.

Stages of Naturalization in Turkey 2026

The naturalization stages in Turkey proceed through several widely discussed steps, though information varies by source. One thing is certain: the security screening is among the most critical stages, and the decision to grant citizenship depends largely on it.

In cases of real estate ownership through Imtilak Real Estate within the properties suitable for Turkish citizenship group, these stages tend to be quick, with the total waiting period not exceeding 90 days from the date of submission of citizenship documents to receipt of the identity card.