Turkish Citizenship by Investment: Comparing All 7 Routes in 2026

Turkish citizenship by investment has seven official routes as of 2026: real estate, a bank deposit, government debt instruments, fixed capital investment, job creation, mutual fund shares, and private pension contributions. The lowest threshold is the real estate route at 400,000 US dollars, while the other six routes generally start at 500,000 US dollars. These figures are accurate as of the date this article was written and should be confirmed with an advisor before you apply.

At Golden Visa Partners, we have guided more than 2,000 citizenship and residence clients from over 40 countries since 2018. In this guide, we explain which route investors actually choose and why, where files most often stall, and the details brochures tend to leave out.

What is Turkish citizenship by investment and who is it for?

Turkish citizenship by investment is a program that lets foreign investors who meet one of Turkey's set thresholds apply for citizenship through an exceptional route. It is based on Law No. 5901 on Turkish Citizenship and related presidential decisions. Thresholds are set in US dollars and are updated from time to time.

The program suits investors seeking a second passport from Turkey, broader travel freedom, the right to settle in Turkey, or a personal "plan B". Investors can include a spouse and children under 18 in the same application. Turkey permits dual citizenship, though your own country's rules may differ, so you should separately confirm whether you can keep your existing citizenship.

If you are weighing citizenship against a time-limited residence permit, our guide to residence by investment compares the two paths. For a closer look at who typically qualifies and why, see our guide to Turkish citizenship by investment for foreign buyers.

The 7 routes to Turkish citizenship by investment

All seven routes lead to the same citizenship; what differs is where you place your capital, how long it stays committed, and how liquid it remains. Real estate is the most popular route into Turkish citizenship by investment, but the right choice depends on your budget and goals. The thresholds below are accurate as of the date this article was written and can change with currency movements and regulation, so confirm current amounts with an advisor before applying.

1. Real estate investment

Turkish citizenship by investment through real estate is based on buying one or more properties worth at least 400,000 US dollars and registering a three-year resale restriction on the title deed. It is the most popular route because the investment is tangible and the property can be sold once the holding period ends. Value is set by a licensed appraisal report, and payment must be made through a bank.

2. Bank deposit

This route is based on depositing at least 500,000 US dollars (or the equivalent in foreign currency) in a bank operating in Turkey and committing to hold it for three years. It suits investors who want to keep their capital liquid rather than tying it to property. The three-year holding commitment is subject to BRSA (banking regulator) rules.

3. Government debt instruments

This route is based on buying at least 500,000 US dollars of government debt instruments (bonds or bills) and holding them for three years. It appeals to investors who want their capital in public debt instruments, with a three-year holding commitment attached.

4. Fixed capital investment

This route is based on making a fixed capital investment of at least 500,000 US dollars, confirmed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology. It is meaningful for entrepreneurs who will build or expand a genuine manufacturing, technology, or services business in Turkey. A capital commitment alone is not enough; the investment is expected to actually materialize.

5. Job creation

This route is based on creating employment for at least 50 people, documented through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. It is a practical route for employer-investors who already run a scaled operation in Turkey. Employment must be verified and sustained through social security records.

6. Mutual fund shares

This route is based on buying at least 500,000 US dollars of real estate investment fund or venture capital investment fund shares and holding them for three years. It suits investors who prefer a professionally managed portfolio over a single property to manage themselves. The fund is supervised by the Capital Markets Board (CMB).

7. Private pension system

This route is based on joining the private pension system and building at least 500,000 US dollars in fund savings, then remaining in the system for three years. It is an option for investors who prefer a long-term, regular savings structure, with a three-year commitment to keep the savings in the system.

The 7 routes at a glance: comparison table

The table below summarizes the routes to Turkish citizenship by investment by minimum amount and holding period. Amounts are accurate as of the date this article was written.

Route	Minimum amount	Holding period	Who it suits
Real estate	400,000 USD	3 years	Those who want to own property
Bank deposit	500,000 USD	3 years	Investors who prioritize liquidity
Government debt instruments	500,000 USD	3 years	Investors who prefer public instruments
Fixed capital investment	500,000 USD	While the investment continues	Entrepreneurs and business owners
Job creation	50 jobs created	While employment continues	Scaled employers
Mutual fund shares	500,000 USD	3 years	Those who want a managed portfolio
Private pension system	500,000 USD	3 years	Long-term investors

Costs beyond the investment itself

The minimum threshold is not the only cost; a few additional expenses come up during the application process. Budgeting for these upfront avoids surprises partway through.

• Title deed fee: calculated on the purchase price in the real estate route (typically around 4 percent at the time of writing, which can be split between buyer and seller).
• Appraisal and VAT: the fee for the mandatory valuation report, plus a possible VAT exemption on a first home purchase for qualifying foreign buyers.
• Advisory, translation, and notary: costs for preparing the file, sworn translations, and power of attorney.
• Official application fees: state fees for the residence permit and citizenship application, plus passport fees.

These items vary by program and property; only a concrete file can produce an exact figure. If you want to compare programs across countries on cost, our guide to the cheapest citizenship by investment and golden visa programs offers a cross-country framework.

Process and timeline: how a file actually moves

The process begins with an eligibility review and preparing the source of funds, followed by making the investment, obtaining the Certificate of Conformity, the residence permit, and finally the citizenship application. In practice, the most common delay is not the investment itself but the paperwork.

The items that most often come back during file review are incomplete or improperly translated source-of-funds documents, bank transfers that do not match the investment, and appraisal values that fall short of the purchase price. For the real estate route, ordering the appraisal before the purchase prevents most of these surprises. Timelines vary with application volume and how complete the file is; no advisor can promise a fixed duration.

Our founder, Burak Ünal (Director of Investment and Immigration Programs, a licensed real estate consultant with a master's in Finance from LSE), stresses that having a single, senior point of contact on every file is the critical detail: collecting documents in the right order and complete the first time prevents back-and-forth that can otherwise drag on for months.

If speed matters as much as the destination, you may also want to compare faster options, such as Antigua's five-day residency requirement for citizenship by investment.

What to watch for and the risks

A few important details deserve attention before you decide. Source-of-funds documentation is mandatory: you must prove the money comes from a legal, traceable source. Currency movements affect the lira equivalent of dollar-based thresholds, so payment and valuation should be handled on a consistent date basis.

The real estate route carries an added rule: a property already used in a foreign national's citizenship application cannot be used again for the same purpose, and the purchase is expected to be from a Turkish seller. These kinds of restrictions are where files most often get stuck.

Tax residency is a separate matter: obtaining citizenship does not automatically make you a taxpayer in Turkey, though time spent in the country and your ties to it can affect this. Turkey itself places no restriction on dual citizenship, but some countries restrict their own citizens from acquiring another citizenship, so you should separately check your own country's rules.

As an independent, country-neutral advisory, we recommend whichever route genuinely fits your budget and goals, without ties to a single developer or a single path. To weigh citizenship by investment in Turkey against other options, see our citizenship by investment services, or reach out for a free initial consultation at any time.

To confirm the official basis for the thresholds and conditions directly from the source, see the Presidential Investment Office's citizenship page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum amount for Turkish citizenship by investment?

As of the date this article was written, the lowest threshold is a 400,000 US dollar real estate investment. Most of the other six routes sit at 500,000 US dollars. Amounts can change with currency and regulation, so confirm the current figure with an advisor before applying.

Can I get my investment back later?

For the real estate, deposit, government debt instrument, mutual fund, and private pension routes, the mandatory holding period is three years, after which you can dispose of the investment. For the fixed capital and job creation routes, the investment or employment is expected to continue.

Can my family be included in the same application?

Yes. A spouse and children under 18 can generally be included in the same application. Having the family's documents complete and properly translated matters for keeping the process on schedule.

Does Turkey allow dual citizenship?

Turkey permits dual citizenship, meaning you can generally keep your existing citizenship as far as Turkey is concerned. However, some countries restrict dual citizenship for their own nationals, so you should separately confirm your own country's rules.

Which route is best for me?

That depends on your budget, your need for liquidity, and your goals. Real estate suits those who want to own property, a deposit or government debt instruments suit those who want to keep capital flexible, and fixed capital investment or job creation can suit business owners. An independent eligibility review clarifies which route genuinely fits you.

Disclosure: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, or investment advice. Programs and amounts can change; confirm current details and your personal eligibility with a qualified advisor before taking action.