The world’s most popular direct citizenship program, the Turkey CIP offers a wide variety of investment options, giving investors the freedom to pick among several asset classes.
More than 13,000 investors and their families have obtained Turkish citizenship through the program since it lowered its minimum investment requirements in 2018.
Program at a glance
| Program Type | Direct Citizenship Program |
| Time to citizenship | 3-6 months |
| Time to permanent residency | 3-6 months |
| Minimum investment | US$ 400,000 |
| Physical presence requirement | None |
| Application processing time | 3-6 months (2-month fast-track available) |
| Grants visa-free travel to | 110 destinations |
| Contribution types available | Property Investment, Bank Deposit, Business Investment, Bond Investment, Public Shares Investment, Fund Investment |
General program requirements
There are multiple investment options for the Turkey Citizenship by Investment Program:
$400,000 worth of real estate;
$500,000 investment as a fixed capital contribution;
$500,000 deposit into a Turkish bank account;
$500,000 investment in government bonds;
$500,000 real estate investment fund share or venture capital investment fund share;
$500,000 investment in private pension system;
Create jobs for at least 50 people, as attested by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services.
Dependents may be included in the application. These can include spouses and children under the age of 18.
Any property or investment needs to be held for a minimum of three years after the awarding of citizenship.
All amounts may be invested in Turkish Lira but investors need to be aware of currency fluctuations when making the investment. The US dollar equivalent needs to be met at the time of processing.
Program benefits
- Increased visa-free travel;
- Minimal physical presence requirements;
- Permits dual/multiple citizenship;
- Lower cost of living;
- Warm climate;
- Enhanced business access to large economies;
- Short processing time
Requirements to qualify for citizenship
After applicants have chosen the qualifying investment option, a residence permit application shall be made on the family’s behalf. The main applicant is then required to open a bank account in Turkey.
Once all application documents have been prepared (including applicable certifications and translations), the investment can be completed and the documents submitted to the government.
Once the application has been received by the government, the review process will begin and an interview may be requested. Applications are typically approved within 3-4 months,, following which the citizenship certificates are issued to the applicants. The passport application can then be submitted and received remotely.
Applications for this program may be directed to:
Turkey Investment Office
Legislation upon which this program is based:
Exceptional Acquisition of Citizenship Article 12 of the Law No. 5901 promulgated on July 28, 2016
Answers provided by CIP Turkey, the trusted specialist in Turkish citizenship by investment.
How many days out of the year would I be required to reside in Turkey?
You would not be required to stay in Turkey for a minimum amount of days throughout the year.
Will I be required to learn Turkish before receiving my citizenship?
No. Unlike many other programs, there is no requirement to learn Turkish.
Who would be eligible to receive Turkish citizenship under my application?
Aside from yourself, your spouse, and all children under 18 years of age would automatically qualify under your application.
What are the tax implications for me?
Turkey has signed a double taxation with most nations in the developed world. If you have already paid the relevant taxes on income earned outside of Turkey, then you are unlikely to be taxed again by the Turkish government, even if it was earned in a country that has not signed a double taxation treaty with Turkey.
If you have more queries relating to the Turkish tax structure, then we advise you to contact a Turkish tax specialist.
Would I be required to declare my wealth to the Turkish authorities?
No. The Turkish tax authorities will not ask you any questions about your financial status, or existing assets.
Where can I travel to with a Turkish passport?
A Turkish passport would grant you visa-free/ or on arrival access to 110 countries, as well as easy visa access to the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia.
How long would it take to receive my full citizenship?
Depending on the lawyer that you use, you should expect to receive your citizenship documents within 3 to 6 months from the time your application is submitted.
Would I be allowed to hold onto my original citizenship if I become a Turkish citizen?
Yes. In fact, the Turkish government have no restrictions on the number of citizenships held by an applicant.
Would I be able to obtain financing in Turkey to purchase the property for my citizenship?
Yes. However, please be aware that you would not be eligible to qualify for Turkish citizenship until you have fully paid off your mortgage. If you can acquire financing from overseas to pay for your property, you would then be deemed as eligible for Turkish citizenship, so long as the property has been paid for in full.
Will my Turkish citizenship expire at any time in the future?
No. Once you have held onto your investment for the minimum period of 3 years, you will become a Turkish citizen for life, as will your spouse and children.
