Top 25 Questions About the Turkish Passport: You Ask and Imtilak Real Estate Answers

Below are the most important frequently asked questions regarding obtaining the Turkish passport, along with their precise answers:

Frequently Asked Questions about the Turkish Passport and How to Obtain It

Q1: How can a foreigner obtain the Turkish passport?

A foreigner can obtain the Turkish passport through several methods, including purchasing property in Turkey, provided the property purchase is after 12/1/2017.

Q2: What is the minimum property value required to obtain the Turkish passport?

The current minimum is 400 thousand US dollars, which can be a single property or multiple properties totaling at least 400 thousand dollars, on condition that a note is placed on the title deed restricting sale for three years, and the value is proven by an approved property appraisal report.

Q3: How is the price of the purchased property evaluated to obtain the Turkish passport?

A property value appraisal report must be obtained, certified by evaluation institutions accredited by the Turkish government.

Q4: What is the acceptable time period for preparing the property appraisal report?

The appraisal report date must not exceed 3 months from the application date at most; the report remains valid until the completion of the application procedures for the Turkish passport.

Q5: Can I register the property value in the land registry at a lower price than its actual value to reduce taxes?

The property's registered value in the land registry cannot be less than the value recorded in the appraisal report. If there is a discrepancy between these values, the property cannot be used for the Turkish passport application.

Q6: How is the dollar exchange rate calculated when paying the property price?

The dollar exchange rate will be calculated according to the official rate on the purchase date, based on the Central Bank of Turkey's exchange rate bulletin.

Q7: Can the property price be slightly less than 400 thousand dollars?

Absolutely not; the property's value must be slightly higher than the amount specified in the executive regulation to proceed correctly with the Turkish citizenship application.

Q8: Can I pay the property value in cash?

No, all financial payments from buyer to seller must be made via documented bank transfers from the buyer’s account to the seller’s account.

Q9: How is full payment of the property price verified?

You will be required to provide transfer receipts proving the bank transfers between buyer and seller, from both the sending and receiving banks.

Q10: Can I buy a property from my brother or a non-Turkish friend and apply with it to obtain the Turkish passport?

No, you cannot purchase property from a foreigner. You must buy the property from a Turkish individual or a Turkish company. Properties purchased from foreigners will not be valid for applying for the Turkish passport.

Q11: I have a property I bought before the citizenship law was issued in Turkey. Can I transfer ownership of this property to my wife or one of my children, then repurchase it from them to apply for the Turkish passport?

No, selling or transferring the property and repurchasing it after 01-12-2017, even if from your spouse or children, is not valid and does not entitle you to apply for the Turkish passport regardless of the property value.

Q12: Can I buy a property on installment to apply for the Turkish passport?

Only the amounts paid from the property value are counted. If there are unpaid installments or a mortgage, those unpaid amounts are not counted. Therefore, your paid installments must exceed 400 thousand dollars to be eligible to apply for the Turkish passport through an installment purchase.

Q13: Can I sell the property immediately after obtaining the Turkish passport?

No, the property cannot be sold until three years have passed from the purchase date. You must sign a commitment not to sell the property for three years, and this commitment is recorded in the land registry.

Q14: If I obtain the Turkish passport after buying the property, will my wife and children also obtain the Turkish passport with me?

Yes, the wife and children under 18 years receive the Turkish passport when applying within the same application file as the property owner.

Q15: Can more than one property be purchased to apply for the Turkish passport?

Yes, multiple properties can be purchased provided all their documents are submitted together and their total value exceeds 400 thousand dollars at the application date.

Q16: If all conditions are met, is it guaranteed that I will obtain the Turkish passport?

The Turkish government studies each investor's file and makes an independent decision to grant citizenship based on a security check of the file. The approval decision is issued by the Presidency.

Q17: Can I buy any residential or commercial property to apply for the Turkish passport?

Yes, you can purchase a property in Turkey of your choice, provided its value exceeds 400 thousand dollars, whether it is an apartment, villa, commercial store, or any other type of property in Turkey.

Q18: How long does the process of obtaining the Turkish passport take after buying the property?

It takes 45 days to complete the procedures for obtaining the Turkish passport from the submission of all required documents to the Turkish government until the signature of the President, who has the authority to approve the Turkish passport.

Q19: I have a property I bought previously. Can I apply with it to obtain the Turkish passport?

Yes, if the property meets the current applicable conditions, most importantly that it was purchased after 01/12/2017 and its value is not less than the required limit according to the purchase date:

• If the purchase date is before 01/12/2017: you cannot apply for the Turkish passport with it.

• If the purchase date is between 01/12/2017 and 18/09/2018: the property value must be at least one million US dollars.

• If the purchase date is 19/09/2018 or later: the property value must be at least 400 thousand US dollars, which is the current limit following Presidential Decision No. 5554 issued on 13/05/2022.

The following conditions must also apply to the previously purchased property:

• The property must not have been used, fully or partially, in a previous citizenship application.

• The price must have been paid through banks, with supporting documents.

• The value must be proven by an approved property appraisal report.

• A note restricting sale for three years must be placed on its title deed (land registry).

Q20: Can Syrians obtain the Turkish passport under this law?

Since Syrian nationals cannot currently own property in Turkey, they cannot obtain citizenship through real estate investment, but they can benefit from other options provided in this law to obtain the Turkish passport, which are:

• A fixed investment of at least 500 thousand US dollars.

• Providing job opportunities for at least 50 Turkish citizens.

• A bank deposit of at least 500 thousand US dollars in Turkish banks.

Q21: After obtaining the Turkish passport through real estate investment, will I be called for mandatory military service in Turkey?

If you obtain the Turkish passport after the age of 22, you will be exempt from military service in Turkey.

Q22: If I obtain the Turkish passport through property purchase, how can my children over 18 years old obtain the Turkish passport with me?

An independent application can be submitted for each child who has reached 18 years to obtain the Turkish passport through a separate real estate investment, provided all the same conditions are fully applied.

Q23: Can I keep my original nationality after obtaining the Turkish passport through property purchase?

Yes, definitely you can maintain dual nationality; there are no requirements to renounce your original nationality upon obtaining the Turkish passport.

Q24: Can I authorize someone else to submit the citizenship application and follow up on the procedures on my behalf?

Yes, you can grant a power of attorney at the Turkish embassy in your country or at a notary in Turkey to anyone you choose to follow up on the procedures on your behalf.

Q25: If I buy a property to apply for the Turkish passport, can I rent it out?

Yes, you can rent out the property. The important thing is that you retain ownership and do not sell it for three years only.

Other important information and topics, learn about them:

• Conditions for investment in Turkey: Does the government support foreign investments?

• Buying an apartment in Turkey in installments: Important legal matters.

• Apartment prices in Trabzon in USD and Turkish Lira.

Edited by:

Imtilak Real Estate©

Related Topics:

Stages of Obtaining the Turkish Passport and Its Duration (with photos)

Turkish Citizenship through Property Purchase

Turkish Citizenship through Investment

Can Turkish Citizenship be Purchased?

Ways for Syrians to Obtain Turkish Citizenship