Turkish Citizenship Through Investment: Process, Requirements and Legal Risks

Questions

How can Turkish citizenship be obtained by investing in Turkey?
What are the requirements for citizenship application through investment?
Which types of investments grant citizenship rights in Turkey?
How much money is needed to obtain citizenship through real estate investment in Turkey?
How is citizenship acquired through bank deposits in Turkey?
Is it possible to obtain Turkish citizenship by establishing a company in Turkey?
How is the citizenship application through investment made in Turkey?
What documents are required for citizenship application in Turkey?
Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer in Turkey during the citizenship process through investment?
How long does the citizenship application through investment take in Turkey?
What kind of procedures are done at the land registry during citizenship application through investment in Turkey?
Can family members also become citizens through investment citizenship acquisition in Turkey?
What are the most common mistakes made in investment citizenship applications in Turkey?
Can the investment be withdrawn after acquiring Turkish citizenship through investment?
What are the reasons for rejection in investment citizenship applications in Turkey?
How long does the security investigation take in citizenship applications in Turkey?
Is residence permit mandatory for citizenship application in Turkey?
Is the right to dual citizenship preserved after acquiring Turkish citizenship through investment?
What happens if fake documents are used in Turkey’s investment citizenship program?
How does KL Legal Consultancy assist in investment citizenship applications?

What is Turkish Citizenship Through Investment in Turkey?

What does acquiring Turkish citizenship by investment mean in Turkey?

Turkish citizenship through investment is a special practice that allows foreigners who meet the economic criteria determined by the Republic of Turkey to exceptionally acquire Turkish citizenship. This process, regulated under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship and related regulations, grants citizenship rights directly to foreigners providing economic contribution.

Foreigners who want to acquire citizenship by investing in Turkey can participate in this process through various means such as purchasing real estate, depositing bank funds, buying government bonds, establishing companies, or providing employment. This method is especially preferred by individuals who do not want to deal with residence permit or long-term residence procedures and who aim directly for Turkish citizenship.

The investment citizenship system both directly contributes to the Turkish economy and offers important advantages to the investor and their family such as permanent residence, work, education, and access to healthcare services in Turkey. For the process to be conducted in accordance with official and legal procedures, application with the support of a Turkish citizenship lawyer or an İzmir citizenship lawyer is of great importance.

Suitable Investment Types for Turkish Citizenship Through Investment in Turkey

Which types of investments are suitable for acquiring Turkish citizenship in Turkey?

Foreign individuals who want to acquire citizenship through investment in Turkey must choose one of the investment types that meet certain economic criteria. These investment types are evaluated within the scope of exceptional citizenship under Article 12 of Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship. Minimum amounts and special conditions are determined for each investment option.

The main investment types that grant citizenship in Turkey are:

Real estate investment: Purchase of immovable property valued at at least 400,000 USD with a commitment not to sell for 3 years. This is one of the most common and fastest methods.
Bank deposit investment: Depositing at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency in a bank operating in Turkey, and holding this amount in the bank for 3 years.
Government bond purchase: Buying government debt instruments valued at at least 500,000 USD, to be held for 3 years to be eligible for citizenship application.
Company establishment and employment: Foreign investors who open or manage a workplace employing at least 50 Turkish citizens may qualify for citizenship.
Participation in venture capital or investment funds: Participation in investment funds established in Turkey with an amount of at least 500,000 USD is another option.

Each of the above investment types involves different document requirements, evaluation processes, and official approval procedures. Therefore, conducting the process through a Turkish citizenship application consultant or Turkish citizenship lawyer ensures the application is completed without errors and quickly.

Citizenship Application Through Real Estate Investment in Turkey

How to acquire Turkish citizenship through real estate investment in Turkey?

Acquisition of Turkish citizenship through real estate investment is one of the most preferred methods among foreign investors in Turkey. Following the amendment made in 2022, foreigners wishing to acquire citizenship through this method must purchase immovable property worth at least 400,000 US Dollars and make a commitment not to sell this property for at least 3 years.

The basic steps to follow in the application process are:

Identification and purchase of the property: An immovable property registered in the land registry without mortgage or lien must be purchased. The purchase must be documented with a foreign currency exchange certificate.
Approval from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change: If the purchased property meets the conditions specified by the ministry, a suitability certificate is issued.
Annotation of the 3-year non-sale commitment: An official annotation stating "cannot be sold for 3 years" is added to the land registry.
Residence permit application: The investor obtains a temporary short-term residence permit.
Citizenship application: Citizenship application is made in Turkey together with the suitability certificate and residence permit.

One of the biggest mistakes during citizenship application through real estate investment is deficiencies in the property valuation. If the official appraisal report is prepared below the real sale price, the application may be rejected. Also, any error in land registry procedures can cause serious legal problems.

Therefore, it is recommended that the entire process be conducted with the assistance of a Turkish citizenship lawyer or a legal consultant specialized in İzmir citizenship applications. In this way, documents are prepared correctly, the land registry annotation is placed properly, and every stage of the process is legally secured.

Conditions for Turkish Citizenship Through Bank Deposit in Turkey

Is it possible to acquire Turkish citizenship by investing in a bank in Turkey?

Yes, it is possible to acquire Turkish citizenship by depositing a certain amount in a bank in Turkey. This method is popular among foreigners seeking a stable and low-risk investment. According to the exceptional application regulated under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship, citizenship application can be made on condition that an amount of at least 500,000 US Dollars or equivalent foreign currency is blocked in a bank operating in Turkey for at least 3 years.

The main conditions to be followed in this process are:

Bank selection and account opening: A personal account must be opened in a licensed and authorized bank operating in Turkey.
Making the investment: Foreign currency amounting to at least 500,000 USD is deposited into the opened account. This amount must be converted to foreign currency according to Central Bank regulations.
Blocking commitment: It must be officially guaranteed through the bank and the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK) that this amount will not be withdrawn for 3 years.
Application for suitability certificate: With the suitability letter to be obtained from BDDK, the process becomes eligible for citizenship application.

This investment method offers a more passive and easily controllable alternative since it does not involve physical immovable property or business establishment management responsibilities. However, here too, it is critical that the process is conducted completely, the deposit is made according to legal procedures, and the blocking condition is declared correctly.

To properly plan all banking procedures and legal processes, obtaining support from a lawyer specialized in Turkish citizenship application ensures the successful outcome of the application.

Acquisition of Turkish Citizenship by Establishing a Company in Turkey

Is it possible to acquire Turkish citizenship by establishing a company in Turkey?

Yes, it is possible to acquire Turkish citizenship by establishing a company in Turkey. However, establishing a company alone is not sufficient; the employment creation requirement is an integral part of this method. Under Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship and related regulations, a foreign national who employs at least 50 Turkish citizens has the right to apply for citizenship exceptionally.

The conditions that investors using this method must fulfill are:

Company establishment: A capital company operating in Turkey must be established or an existing company must be taken over.
Employment obligation: At least 50 Turkish citizens must be employed full-time and registered with the Social Security Institution (SGK).
Suitability certificate from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security: The ministry inspects whether employment has been actually provided and sustained, and issues a suitability letter.
Full compliance with tax and social security obligations: The company must have no tax debt, and all employees must be regularly reported and insured.

Investors applying for citizenship through this method can also continue their commercial activities in Turkey and contribute to the labor market. However, this process is subject to a high level of inspection regarding financial legislation, labor law, and social security obligations. The smallest mistake or missing document may cause rejection or delay of the application.

Therefore, from the stage of company establishment onwards, the process must be conducted with the assistance of a Turkish citizenship lawyer or an expert consultant specialized in investment law. Especially local experts like İzmir citizenship lawyers play a critical role both in ensuring the legal compliance of the application and managing ministry correspondences properly.

Application Process for Turkish Citizenship Through Investment in Turkey

How does the citizenship application through investment proceed in Turkey?

The procedure that foreigners must follow to acquire Turkish citizenship through investment in Turkey is a multi-step and attention-requiring process. This process consists of a series of official and technical steps from investment to citizenship acquisition. For the application to be successful, each step must be completed with correct documents, on time, and in compliance with legislation.

The citizenship application process through investment consists of the following steps:

Making the investment: Transactions are initiated by choosing one of the eligible investment methods such as real estate purchase, bank deposit, company establishment, government bond or investment fund.
Obtaining the suitability certificate: According to the investment type, a suitability letter is obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, or the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
Application for short-term residence permit: After investment, a short-term residence permit is obtained from the Directorate General of Migration Management to allow the applicant to stay in Turkey.
Submission of citizenship application: The application is submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Registration and Citizenship of the Ministry of Interior together with the suitability letter and residence permit documents.
Security investigation and archive research: It is investigated whether the applicant poses a threat to public security in Turkey. This phase may directly affect the duration of the application.
Presidential approval: After all positive processes, the final decision is given by the Presidency and Turkish citizenship is granted.

This entire process can take approximately between 6 to 12 months. However, if there are deficiencies in documents, technical incompatibility of the investment, or inadequacy of legal grounds for the application, the period may be extended or the application rejected. Therefore, working with a Turkish citizenship application consultant or an İzmir citizenship lawyer at every stage of the application is critically important to speed up the process and minimize legal risks.

Required Documents for Citizenship Application Through Investment in Turkey

What documents are required in Turkey for citizenship application through investment?

When applying for Turkish citizenship through investment, it is very important that the documents to be submitted to the relevant institutions in Turkey are prepared completely and in compliance with procedures. Although some documents may vary depending on the type of application, the basic documents are listed below. Any deficiency or lack of official translation in the documents may lead to rejection or prolongation of the process.

Documents generally required for citizenship application through investment in Turkey are:

Application form (Citizenship application form – Vat-4)
Passport and notarized Turkish translation
Birth certificate or population registration extract (apostilled and translated)
Marital status document (if married, marriage certificate or marriage book)
4 biometric photographs
Residence permit document or residence application document
Investment suitability certificate (obtained from relevant institutions according to investment type)
Commitment or official annotation documents (for example, if immovable property will not be sold for 3 years)
Tax identification number (mandatory for transactions in Turkey)
Receipts and financial documents (bank transfer receipts, foreign currency exchange documents)

Also, if a collective application covering family members is to be made, similar documents are requested for each individual.

Obtaining these documents from official authorities, ensuring notarization, and translating into Turkish by sworn translators when necessary are among the most laborious parts of the application process. Submission of incorrect or incomplete documents may cause rejection of the application as well as loss of time and cost.

Therefore, working with an expert lawyer during the Turkish citizenship application process ensures flawless preparation of documents and healthy conduct of the application. Applications made with the support of an İzmir citizenship lawyer generally result in shorter durations and higher success rates.

Legal Risks in Citizenship Application Through Investment in Turkey

What legal risks exist in Turkey in citizenship applications through investment?

Although the process of citizenship acquisition through investment offers attractive advantages, it also carries serious legal risks. Ignoring these risks may result in rejection of the application, cancellation of acquired citizenship, or facing criminal sanctions. In Turkey, this process is not only an economic but also a legal evaluation process.

The main legal risks are:

Misrepresentation of real estate value: If the official appraisal report is not consistent with the sale price declared in the land registry, the citizenship application may be rejected.
Violation of the 3-year non-sale commitment: Early withdrawal of investments made with real estate or bank deposits before the legal period expires may lead to revocation of citizenship.
Fraud and fake consultants: Working with persons or companies without legal authority offering citizenship promises in Turkey may cause financial and legal losses.
Insufficient security investigation data: Suspicious situations in the applicant’s criminal record or international security data may cause the application to be rejected by the Presidency.
Deficiencies or forgery in documents: Incomplete, invalid, or forged documents may not only cause rejection of the application but also initiation of judicial processes.
Legislative changes: Since the process can be long, changes in legislation in force during the application may tighten conditions and lead to evaluation of the application under new rules.

To minimize these risks, it is very important that investors carry out the application process with a Turkish citizenship lawyer or an İzmir citizenship consultant who has knowledge of the legislation. With lawyer support, both the legal basis of the investment is properly established and all stages of the application are managed completely.

Common Mistakes in Turkish Citizenship Applications Through Investment

What are the most frequent mistakes in citizenship applications through investment in Turkey?

Most of the common problems in citizenship applications through investment in Turkey stem from conducting the process without sufficient research or expert support. These mistakes may cause rejection of the application, extension of the process, or cancellation of citizenship acquisition.

The most frequently encountered mistakes in citizenship acquisition through investment in Turkey are:

Submitting incomplete or invalid documents: Documents with missing notarization, apostille, or translation processes are not accepted by official authorities and the application is returned.
Underreporting the real estate value: Attempting tax savings by declaring a lower amount in the land registry, if conflicting with the official appraisal report, causes rejection.
Failure to officially declare the 3-year commitment: Not annotating the land registry or failing to declare the blocking commitment for bank deposits removes the right to citizenship.
Granting full power of attorney to consulting firms: Proceeding only with power of attorney to non-lawyer intermediary consulting companies may lead to fraud and document errors.
Conducting the processes independently: Given the variable nature of legislation, lack of legal knowledge carries a high risk of application failure.
Not preparing separate documents for family members: Neglecting to prepare complete documents for spouse and children causes delays due to incomplete files.

To avoid these mistakes, the process must be conducted under supervision of a Turkish citizenship lawyer specialized in the investment type. Experienced İzmir citizenship application lawyers assist applicants in protecting their investments and completing citizenship procedures smoothly.

Importance of Lawyer Support in Citizenship Process Through Investment

Why is it necessary to work with a lawyer in Turkey during the citizenship process through investment?

The process of Turkish citizenship through investment is a complex procedure involving approval from many institutions, technical and legal documents, language and legislative barriers. Even a small mistake in this process may cause serious delays, rejection of the application, or cancellation of acquired citizenship. Therefore, conducting the application process with an experienced Turkish citizenship lawyer is not only a recommendation but in many cases a practical necessity.

The main areas where lawyer support is important are:

Preparation and review of documents: Notarization, apostille, official translation processes must be done correctly and on time. Lawyers perform these processes flawlessly.
Legal securing of the investment: The title deed, contracts, and official commitments of investments such as real estate, bank deposits, or company establishments must be professionally managed.
Official communication with institutions: All correspondences and applications with the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), Directorate General of Migration Management, and Civil Registration Directorate are effectively and promptly conducted through lawyers.
Prevention of legal risks: Risks such as fake consultants, fraud, and document inconsistencies are largely eliminated under lawyer supervision.

By receiving professional support in the process of Turkish citizenship through investment, it becomes possible to ensure smooth progress of the application, correct preparation of all documents in compliance with the legislation, and acceleration of procedures. Experts such as İzmir citizenship lawyer, Karşıyaka citizenship lawyer, or Turkish citizenship application consultant secure not only the investment but also the legal status.

You can receive professional consultancy from KL Legal Consultancy for flawless and correct conduct of your Turkish citizenship application process. Contact our expert lawyers to protect your legal rights in the best way possible.