• A fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 USD or its equivalent in foreign currency or its equivalent in Turkish Lira [this amount was at least 2,000,000 USD before the change]. This investment shall be determined by the Ministry of Industry and Technology.

• Purchasing immovable property for at least 250.000 USD or equivalent in foreign currency on the condition that an annotation of not being sold for three (3) years is put in the land registry records or depositing in advance at least 250.000 USD. Or its equivalent in foreign currency for the immovable with condominium or floor servitude and on condition that an annotation to the land registry with the commitment that the contract drawn up by the notary public that promises the sale of the immovable property will not be transferred or cancelled for a period of three (3) years. Such annotation shall be determined by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization.

• Employing at least 50 people [at least 100 employees before the change], which is determined by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services.

• Depositing at least 500,000 US Dollars or equivalent foreign currency or Turkish Lira [this amount was at least 3,000,000 US Dollars before the change] in banks operating in Turkey with the condition of keeping them for three (3) years, which is determined by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency.

• To purchase government debt instruments of at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currencies or equivalent Turkish lira [at least 3,000,000 USD before the change] providing that they will be kept for three (3) years, which is determined by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance.

• Purchase real estate investment fund participation shares or venture capital investment fund participation shares of at least 500,000 USD or equivalent foreign currency or equivalent Turkish lira [was at least 1,500,000 USD before the change], with the condition of holding it for at least three (3) years, which is determined by the Capital Markets Board.

The effective selling rate and/or cross-exchange rate of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey on the date of determination shall be taken as a basis in determining the monetary values specified above.

In January 2022, TL regulation was introduced in the transactions of real estate purchase and naturalization by investing.

According to the regulation change published in the Official Gazette; The foreign currency amount to be obtained from the sale of a house to a foreigner will be sold to the Central Bank through a bank and converted into TL. Likewise, the amount that foreigners are obliged to keep in the bank for investment will also be converted into TL.

Feel free to contact Lawyer Ceren Topcu İncetaban to find out more about the conditions for obtaining turkish citizenship by investment in Turkey.

1. Fulfilling one of the investment conditions specified in Article 20 of the Regulation and stated above and obtaining a Certificate of Conformity from the relevant institution,
2. Obtaining a short-term residence permit in accordance with subparagraph (j) of the first paragraph of Article 31 of Law No. 6458,
3. Application for acquisition of Turkish citizenship by investment.

In this context, citizens of those 183 countries can buy real estate and acquire limited real rights, on condition that they comply with the legal restrictions stated below:

• Real persons of foreign nationality can acquire real estate and limited real rights (including mortgages) up to ten percent (10%) of the district area subject to private ownership. The Council of Ministers is authorized to double these limits if it deems necessary.

• Throughout the country, a foreign natural person can purchase a maximum of thirty (30) hectares (30 hectares corresponds to approximately 300,000 m² or 3,223,000. – ft²) real estate and acquire limited real rights. The Council of Ministers is authorized to double these limits if it deems necessary.

• The relevant real estate must not be located in military forbidden and security zones. This openness is provided by the land registry directorates.

Antalya Lawyer Ceren Topcu İncetaban and her Antalya Law Firm can help you make the right choice while investing to acquire Turkish citizenship.

In case the foreign person purchases more than one immovable at the same time or at different times, the total value of these immovable must be at least 250.000 USD and each immovable must have an annotation of not being sold for at least three years.

In this context, it is required to certify that the amount has been deposited by the buyer or the relevant persons to the account of the seller or the relevant persons, with a bank receipt (with money order, EFT or blocked check). For transfers to be made from abroad, the receipt of the account to which the fee is sent must also be submitted.

The receipt date may also be after the sale date in the sales transaction. However, in the promise of sale, the receipt date must be before the contract is issued at the notary or at the latest on the contract issuance day.

In addition, with the newly introduced regulations, it has become possible to purchase the immovable in instalments, provided that the immovable is purchased after 19.09.2018 and each instalment price is after this date.

• Four (4) colour passport-size photographs
• Valid passport and notarized Turkish translation of the passport
• Official promissory note or notarized real estate sales promise agreement regarding the sale transaction
• Real estate valuation report
• Bank-approved receipt (with money order, EFT or blocked check) that the amount is deposited to the account of the seller or related persons by the buyer or related persons.
• An annotation at the relevant land registry office stating that the immovable will not be sold for three years

Applications will be evaluated by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, General Directorate of Land Registry and Cadastre, Department of Foreign Affairs. Applications without any deficiencies shall be finalized within seven working days.

Residence permit cards are sent by mail to the address provided by the applicant during the online application within 4 weeks after the application process is completed.

✔ Valid visa or exemption period that has not expired after the foreigner’s entry date on the application date
✔ Valid passport (valid for the duration of the residence permit applied for) and notarized Turkish translation
✔ Private health insurance [This health insurance must be obtained from Turkey and the duration of the policy should cover the residence permit period applied for.
✔ Address information [The residence address of the foreigner in Turkey is requested during the online application. A hotel address statement may be sufficient for the first application, but the foreigner can also submit a notarized rental agreement (if any) or declare a workplace address. Address information is important since the residence permit card will be delivered to the address that is notified by the foreigner.] ✔ Certificate of conformity according to the investment made
✔ Receipt of payment of tuition fee and card fee (Fees and card fees vary according to the nationality of the foreigner.)
✔ Special Power of Attorney (optional) – is issued to receive professional support within the scope of the execution of these transactions.

Antalya Lawyer Ceren Topcu İncetaban and her Antalya Law Firm assist you in preparing the necessary documents for your short-term residence Permit pursuant to Article 31/1(j) of Law No. 6458.

In addition, foreigners who apply for Turkish citizenship through investment can apply on behalf of their family members (for their spouse and children under the age of 18). There is no requirement to apply for a residence permit or make an additional investment. Other family members can benefit from the citizenship application with additional documents (identity, passport documents, birth certificate, document showing marital status, picture, etc.).

✔ Valid passport and notarized Turkish translation
✔ Two (2) colour passport type photographs
✔ Apostille-approved or Turkish Consulate-approved identity register copy from the foreign investor’s country of citizenship and its notarized Turkish translation
✔ Apostille-approved or certified birth certificate from the country of citizenship of the foreign investor and its notarized Turkish translation
✔ An apostille-approved or Turkish Consulate-approved marital status document from the foreign investor’s country of citizenship, clearly showing that the foreigner is single, married, divorced or widowed, and its notarized Turkish translation. In addition to this document:

• If the foreign investor is married, an apostille-approved or Turkish Consulate-approved Marriage Certificate obtained from the foreigner’s country of citizenship, and a copy of the identity registration document stating the spouse and children, and its notarized Turkish translation
• If the foreign investor is divorced, the Divorce Certificate/Decision approved by the Turkish Consulate or apostille-approved from the foreigner’s country of citizenship and its notarized Turkish translation
• If the foreign investor is widowed, the death certificate of the spouse approved by the apostille or approved by the Turkish Consulate and its notarized Turkish translation obtained from the foreigner’s country of citizenship
• If the child under the age of 18 who is in the custody of the applicant is also required to acquire Turkish citizenship, a document approved by the apostille or approved by the Turkish Consulate, and a notarized Turkish translation of the other parent’s consent
• Receipt showing that the service fee has been paid to the Finance Desk

Although the procedure seems not complicated, it is extremely important that the application is made completely and that the process is followed accurately.

Therefore, it is substantial to get support from an experienced lawyer in Foreigners and Citizenship Law during all these procedures. Making mistakes may cause the rejection of the application or can prolong the application process.

Antalya Lawyer Ceren Topcu İncetaban and her Antalya Law Firm provide all kinds of legal and technical support regarding foreigners and citizenship law.

We are ready to help you to achieve your goals with our experienced and multilingual lawyers.