Frequently Asked Questions
Turkish citizenship can be obtained through real estate investment with more than $400 thousand in Turkey, along with a pledge not to sell the property for 3 years.
The citizenship law in Turkey which is published in the Turkish Official Newspaper on 19-09-2018 includes the possibility to apply for Turkish citizenship, according to one of the following ways:
- Buying a property worth more than $ 250,000, and not selling it for 3 years.
- A fixed investment with a value of no less than 500 thousand USD.
- Providing job opportunities for 50 Turkish citizens at least.
- Depositing no less than 500 thousand dollars in a Turkish bank.
- Buying a property in Turkey from a Turkish citizen or from a Turkish legal person (such as buying from Turkish real estate company).
- The property must have a statutory title deed (a title deed must be issued to it) even if it is still under construction.
- The price of the property is more than 250 thousand USD.
- Paying the price of the property through a bank transfer from a bank outside or inside Turkey.
- The buyer pledges not to sell the property for 3 years.
It is a tax imposed on the one who inherits the estate of the deceased person.
It is a law applied to the legal heirs of immovable property within the Turkish territory, which determines the heirs and their specific legal shares of the estate.
In general, movable property is subject to the inheritance laws of the country that the deceased owner holds its nationality, while the Turkish law is applied regarding immovable property and real estate.
The inheritance tax in Turkey is relatively low, it varies depending on the value of the investor's property, where a lower percentage tax is deducted as the property price gets lower.
Click here for more detailsIn the absence of a legal will, the first to inherit the estate of the deceased is the children, husband, or wife.
In short, it is a renewable residence permit, granted to foreigners who own real estate or properties in Turkey. Real estate residence permit (residence in Turkey by buying a property) is usually granted for one year, also the wife and children under the age of 18 are entitled to obtain residence permits as they are considered to be the escorts of the owner.
Click here for more detailsAmong the most important advantages of real estate residence permit:
- The landlord and his/her family members have the right to enjoy all residence permit rights in Turkey, and allow the entry to Turkey without visas or prior security clearances.
- Real estate residence permit (residence in Turkey by buying a real estate) is similar to the tourist residence permit in several aspects, but the real estate residence permit is considered stronger in terms of renewability and the granted duration.
- Opening a bank account in one of the Turkish banks, and enjoying the freedom of banking and receiving and sending money.
- The possibility of applying to an embassy of another country from inside Turkey to obtain its visa.
- You can apply for a Turkish driver's license.
- The right to own a private car in Turkey.
- An opportunity to obtain medical insurance in Turkey's hospitals.
- Registration in Turkish schools and universities.
- Holders of real estate residence permit are also entitled to apply for Turkish citizenship if their real estate property value reaches 400 thousand USD and within specific conditions.
To obtain a real estate residence permit, it is required that:
- The foreigner must own a residence or property intended for residence, and that it is used for residence.
- The property must be registered in the Land Registry and the title deed must be obtained.
- Obtaining all the required documents and the necessary legal forms.
It depends on the income you make every month and whether you earn money in Turkish liras or USD and most importantly on your lifestyle.
The Turkish lira is at its weakest and the foreign exchange rate is likely to continue fluctuating in such an unpredictable manner. The fall of the lira is not a distant-future problem and we need to take precautions.
Yes, when you earn a salary over $1000, you can live on it in Istanbul. If you are willing to rent an apartment that is cheaper (as I did in Kadıköy—it's cheaper than Beyoğlu or Şişli) and cooks yourself and doesn't go out to crowded places, then $1000 should be enough. The good news is that the minimum wage in Turkey is announced to be raised next year.
Turkey is an excellent value-for-money destination and many expats find that their money goes further in Turkey than it did in their home country. This is because, on average, the cost of living in Turkey is lower than in most Western countries and prices come as a pleasant surprise to expats who are used to paying more.
Foreigners in Turkey fall into two distinct categories, professionals and retirees. Professional foreigners tend to live in cities, while retirees prefer to live along the country's southern coast
People in Turkey don't speak English very often, especially the general population. Around 17% of Turks speak English as a second language, but according to the English Proficiency Index, Turkey's rank was 69th out of 100 countries
The cost of living in Antalya is much lower than in many European countries because the average salaries are lower. If you're a resident foreigner, you'll find yourself paying less for things, which can lead to a better quality of life overall.
The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the City Center neighborhood is $255.19.
Ankara, Turkey's capital city, is home to several neighborhoods. Çankaya, Keçiören, Gölbaşı, and Etimesgut are among the best places to live in Ankara. These districts come with great public schools and hospitals. Most popular neighborhoods in Ankara are located in these districts. When people move to Ankara, they usually look for homes close to their causes of moving.
A family of four in Turkey requires 1,254TL (23,298$) per month to live comfortably. A single person requires 358TL (6,647$) per month to live comfortably. The cost of living in Turkey is 61.09% lower than in the United States, and rents are 85.64% lower than in the United States.
The answer is yes. Foreigners, including citizens of non-European countries, can buy and own real estate in Turkey. The process of buying a commercial property is relatively simple as long as all relevant paperwork is prepared in advance. In order to purchase a commercial property, foreign buyers need to get approval from the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. This process includes obtaining the necessary documents, such as the title deed, tax registration number, and zoning certificates. Once these documents are obtained, the buyer will be required to sign a purchase contract with the seller and provide proof of payment.
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the location, the state of the economy, and other local factors. Generally speaking, commercial real estate in Turkey has been a sound investment, with rising prices and rents in most locations. Although prices have dropped due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are likely to rise once again as conditions improve. Commercial properties in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir offer great potential for long-term gains.
No, acquiring Turkish citizenship requires investing in real estate in Turkey.
As noted above, Istanbul's European side features more upscale shops and malls; living there can be more costly.
No. Business visas cannot be converted into work permits within Turkey. A separate application must be made from outside Turkey.
There is no specific age restriction, but applicants must be legally eligible to conduct business.