The reasons for owning property in Turkey vary; some do it for living in a stable country like Turkey, while others invest in real estate itself and profit from selling it after a period of appreciation. If your goal is to invest in property and sell it after the price increases or to obtain Turkish citizenship and passport, either case will benefit from the opportunity to acquire citizenship by purchasing property valued at 400,000 USD or more.
Our team of experts in Turkish citizenship will explain all the details and necessary documents for obtaining Turkish citizenship through property ownership. For more inquiries, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp and get a free consultation by clicking the following number: +90 536 777 9442.
What Are the Benefits of Turkish Citizenship?
Before learning how to acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing an apartment, it’s important to understand the many advantages of citizenship. Some of the key benefits include:
- Equal rights and duties as Turkish citizens.
- The ability to travel to over 100 countries without requiring a visa.
- Easy access to Schengen Area countries.
- You can retain your original citizenship along with Turkish citizenship.
- You can obtain a new Turkish passport with a ten-year validity.
- You can easily obtain a Schengen visa, as well as permits for Hajj and Umrah.
- You have the right to live in Turkey or return to your home country for an extended period, then return to Turkey while retaining your citizenship.
- The right to vote in Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections.
- Access to free healthcare in the best hospitals in the country.
- Turkish citizenship requirements are easier compared to other countries, with the lowest investment value globally.
- You don’t need to be fluent in the Turkish language.
- Your children and spouse will automatically obtain Turkish citizenship without the need for complicated procedures.
- When you reach retirement age, you’ll receive a lifetime pension and free transportation tickets.
What Are the Ways to Obtain Turkish Citizenship?
Before explaining in detail how to acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing an apartment, it’s important to note that the new Turkish citizenship law offers more than nine different ways for non-Turks to obtain citizenship:
- Acquiring Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property worth 400,000 USD or more.
- Starting a business or establishing a company, employing 50 Turkish workers for at least three years, and providing them with the minimum wage.
- Making a bank deposit of 500,000 USD in a Turkish bank without withdrawing or using it for other purposes.
- Depositing the same amount in an individual investment fund without using it for three years.
- Purchasing government bonds worth 500,000 USD and holding them for three years.
- Proving you have Ottoman or Turkish ancestry.
- Marrying a Turkish citizen, with a marriage certificate and proof of at least three years of marriage.
- Certain exceptions allow professionals such as doctors, engineers, refugees, journalists, and lawyers to obtain citizenship.
- If a Turkish family adopts a child, they can apply for citizenship directly for the child.
- The Turkish law allows non-Turks to obtain work permits and residency for five years to be eligible for citizenship.
How to Prove You Have Turkish Ancestry?
You can prove your Ottoman or Turkish origin by submitting required documents, which can be obtained from the Turkish archives. Once verified, you can apply for citizenship by presenting one of the following documents: an Ottoman family tree, an Ottoman family record, an Ottoman military identity card, a birth certificate, or a military certificate.
What Are the Requirements to Obtain Turkish Citizenship Through Property Ownership?
Turkey introduced the Citizenship by Investment Law in 2017, which allows anyone to acquire Turkish citizenship if they meet a set of required conditions. When discussing how to obtain Turkish citizenship through purchasing an apartment, the conditions are as follows:
- Purchase a property, either residential or commercial, worth 400,000 USD or more.
- Retain the property for at least three years without selling or transferring it.
- The property must be bought for the first time in order to obtain Turkish citizenship.
- The property must have a title deed (Tapu) with legal entitlement or full ownership.
- The foreign currency must be exchanged with Turkish lira through the Central Bank of Turkey.
- The original property owner must be of Turkish origin, not a foreigner who acquired citizenship through other methods.
- The property transaction must be done through bank transfers; cash transactions are not recognized.
- The entire property value must be paid at once; installment payments are only allowed if the initial payment exceeds 400,000 USD.
- Buyers from all countries listed in the new Turkish citizenship law are eligible, excluding Syria and North Korea.
- A property appraisal report from a government-certified valuation company must be submitted.
What Are the Specifications for the Property Eligible for Turkish Citizenship?
When considering how to acquire Turkish citizenship by purchasing an apartment, the property must meet the following criteria:
- Its value must be at least 400,000 USD.
- It must be registered in the land registry, whether completed or under construction.
- The property’s owner must be a Turkish construction company or a Turkish citizen.
- The payment must be made via regular bank transfers.
- The property must have a government-approved appraisal certificate.
How Is the Property Appraisal Conducted for Turkish Citizenship?
As part of acquiring Turkish citizenship through purchasing an apartment, an essential requirement is submitting a property appraisal certificate. This official document contains all relevant information about the property and its market value, issued by specialized appraisal companies authorized by the Turkish government. The appraisal process usually takes up to three weeks, and the certificate remains valid for only three months.
What Documents Are Needed to Obtain Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Property in Turkey?
To complete the process of acquiring Turkish citizenship through purchasing an apartment, the following documents must be provided, all translated into Turkish and certified by the Turkish authorities:
- Your valid passport, notarized by a Turkish notary.
- Copies of the passports of your spouse and children under 18 who wish to obtain citizenship, notarized by a notary public.
- A family book, family certificate, or marriage certificate, certified by a notary.
- Proof of a clean criminal record for you and your spouse.
- Written consent from your spouse for your children to obtain Turkish citizenship.
- Two recent passport-size photos of each family member.
- The property’s title deed and the official property appraisal document.
- Receipts confirming payment of the property, stamped by the bank through which the funds were transferred.
- Proof of currency exchange at the Central Bank of Turkey for obtaining citizenship.
- A certificate from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change confirming that the property meets citizenship requirements.
- The property purchase contract, notarized.
- Proof of nationality for individuals whose passports do not state their nationality, such as Yemenis; this document can be obtained from the Yemeni embassy in Turkey or the Yemeni Civil Registry.
What Is the Timeline for Obtaining Turkish Citizenship by Purchasing Property?
The process typically takes between three to five months. The steps include:
- Purchasing the property and obtaining a residence permit by fulfilling the requirements for permanent residency in Turkey.
- Applying for citizenship, which will eventually lead to acquiring a Turkish passport.
- The Turkish government will conduct security checks to ensure all conditions are met and that all documents are correct.
- After the verification, you will receive your citizenship without any issues.
This is how to obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing an apartment.
How to Obtain Turkish Citizenship Through Buying an Apartment
The process of obtaining Turkish citizenship through buying an apartment involves simple steps as follows:
• Find a trusted real estate consultant in Turkey and ask them to present suitable properties for obtaining Turkish citizenship.
• Read the property ownership conditions in Turkey, learn about the required fees, and the relevant laws.
• If you’re living abroad, visit Turkey, tour the properties, and choose the best one that meets the citizenship requirements.
• Agree on purchasing the property you like, but only after the property’s valuation document has been issued and its price determined.
• Go to an intermediary bank to sell your currency and exchange it for Turkish Lira.
• Transfer the property’s value in Turkish Lira to the buyer’s bank account.
• If the property is complete, you should obtain a full title deed (Tapu) from the Turkish Land Registry Directorate; if the property is under construction, you will receive a provisional title deed (Tapu İrtifakı).
• Prepare a file with all the required documents to obtain Turkish citizenship.
• Submit the file after obtaining an investor’s residence permit from the Turkish Migration Directorate.
• After completing the procedures, you will receive a message from the Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs in Turkey, asking you to go for fingerprinting and receive your new Turkish ID.
Why Choose Turkey Specifically for Citizenship?
In recent years, Turkey has been able to maintain its economic stability and political and military security. It also has strong diplomatic relations with many countries and is a member of NATO and the G20 economic group, meaning it possesses one of the world’s strongest economies.
Additionally, after learning how to obtain Turkish citizenship through purchasing an apartment, you will enjoy living in this economically stable country, with peace of mind in a safe nation that offers all the rights. Your children will also receive education in top-tier schools and universities.
Why is Obtaining Turkish Citizenship Through Property Ownership the Best Option?
The most common investment route for obtaining Turkish citizenship is property ownership, due to the many advantages it offers, including:
• A quick and guaranteed method compared to other routes.
• The depreciation of the Turkish Lira has led to lower property prices, providing an opportunity for higher investment returns, significant profits, and opening doors for profitable real estate investments.
• There are no specific requirements for the type of property to purchase; you can buy residential or commercial real estate.
• The investor’s family also receives citizenship without additional conditions.
• Property taxes in Turkey are lower than in European countries.
• Turkish construction companies are some of the strongest real estate firms in the world.
• The Turkish government offers many facilities for those seeking Turkish citizenship through property ownership.
• You can rent the property during the three years before acquiring citizenship, and after obtaining it, you can sell the property.
What Strengthens the Power of the Turkish Passport?
The strength of the Turkish passport in 2024 lies in its global ranking of 52nd, surpassing both the Saudi and Russian passports. The Turkish passport grants access to 110 countries without requiring a visa.
Which Countries Can Turkish Passport Holders Enter Without a Visa?
These countries can be divided into about 71 countries that do not require a visa at all, including: Albania, Iran, Argentina, Jordan, Ukraine, Brazil, El Salvador, Morocco, the Philippines, Japan, Panama, Thailand, Chile, Tunisia, South Africa, Belarus, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. Keep in mind that the length of stay and purpose of travel are determined by the country you’re visiting, and sometimes you may need to apply for a visa if your stay exceeds the designated time.
Which Countries Can Turkish Passport Holders Enter with a Visa Upon Arrival?
There are 41 countries that allow Turkish passport holders to obtain a visa upon arrival, including: Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Cambodia, Djibouti, Oman, Qatar, Lebanon, Egypt, Mauritania, and Sudan. These countries grant visas at their borders, with varying fees and stay durations. After paying the required fees and completing the necessary procedures and submitting the required documents, you will receive a visa for the specified stay period.
Which Countries Require an Electronic Authorization to Enter with a Turkish Passport?
Obtaining an electronic authorization is required for entry into five specific countries: Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and South Korea. This authorization is granted to Turkish nationals who are exempt from obtaining a visa. It is not a visa, but rather a document used by the destination country to verify your identity. To obtain this, you simply apply online, pay the fee, and provide your correct personal information. Once approved, it is linked to your Turkish passport.
Join a Diverse Community in Turkey and Enjoy a World of Great Opportunities
After understanding how to obtain Turkish citizenship through purchasing an apartment, you can now purchase your own apartment, explore Turkey’s rich history and nature, and enjoy the full rights of a Turkish citizen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreigners buy property in Turkey?
Yes, Turkey allows foreigners to easily buy property with attractive benefits, including the possibility of acquiring Turkish citizenship and substantial investment returns.
Why can’t Syrians own property in Turkey?
Due to historical conflicts between the two countries, and also because Turks themselves face restrictions on owning property in Syria.
Can Saudi citizens own property in Turkey?
Yes, Saudi citizens can buy property in Turkey without any conditions.
Is Turkey an inexpensive country to live in?
Yes, it is one of the countries with a lower cost of living compared to European countries.
Can Germans own property in Turkey?
Yes, German nationals can buy property in Turkey and obtain Turkish citizenship. Currently, over 2,705 properties have been purchased by German citizens.
Can Palestinian Syrians own property in Turkey?
Yes, Syrians holding Palestinian passports can own property in Turkey and enjoy Turkish citizenship if the property meets the requirements for citizenship.
