Residency
Malta
Permanent residence in an EU member state through Malta's Permanent Residence Programme, with no physical stay requirement.
- Min. investment
- €375,000+
- Time to approval
- 6–8 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Citizenship by Investment
Turkey
Citizenship of a G20 economy through a retained investment in real estate or a bank deposit — not a donation.
Time to citizenship
4–8 months
Minimum investment
$400,000+
Visa-free access
110+ countries
Program Overview
About the Turkey program
In brief
The Turkey program is a citizenship-by-investment program that grants full legal citizenship. The minimum qualifying investment is $400,000+, and approvals typically take 4–8 months. It requires no residence or relocation, and the passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 110+ destinations. Figures are indicative minimums for the main applicant.
Türkiye's citizenship by investment route is distinctive: the qualifying investment is retained rather than donated. Investors purchase real estate or place a bank deposit, hold it for three years, and may then realise the asset.
As a G20 economy at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Türkiye offers commercial as well as mobility advantages, including eligibility to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa.
Presence requirement
No residence required; one visit for biometrics
Document validity
Passport valid for 10 years, renewable
Dual nationality
Dual citizenship permitted
How it compares
Turkey against other citizenship programs
Where Turkey sits among the 9 citizenship by investment programs we advise on. The gold marker is the peer average.
Minimum investment (lower is better)$400,000
Peer average $228kAbove the peer average
Time to approval (lower is better)4–8 months
Peer average ≈ 6 monthsAbove the peer average
Visa-free destinations (higher is better)110+
Peer average 117+Below the peer average
Investment is compared on a USD-normalized basis; the label shows this program's own currency. Time uses the upper end of the published range. Figures are indicative.
Key Benefits
- Citizenship of a G20 economy bridging Europe and Asia
- The investment is retained — real estate or deposit, not a donation
- Eligibility to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor visa
- No residence requirement
The Life It Unlocks
Citizenship of a G20 economy — with your capital intact.
The investment you keep
Your qualifying property is yours — hold it three years, then sell if you wish. Citizenship stays either way. Few programs let the capital come back.
Istanbul as your second address
A working base at the crossroads of Europe and Asia — real estate, real business, a real city your family can actually use.
The E-2 route, held in reserve
Turkey's US treaty means Turkish citizens can pursue the E-2 investor visa — an American option kept open for the day you want it.
Investment Pathways
Real Estate Purchase
From $400,000
Purchase of real estate in Türkiye with a commitment not to sell for three years.
Minimum 3-year holding period
Bank Deposit
From $500,000
A fixed deposit in a Turkish bank, maintained for at least three years.
Minimum 3-year holding period
Program terms move: Turkey's property threshold has risen before ($250,000 to $400,000 in 2022) and can rise again. Files lodged under current terms are processed under them.
Explore your route
From (indicative)
$400,000
Capital treatment
Minimum 3-year holding period
Purchase of real estate in Türkiye with a commitment not to sell for three years.
Who comes with you
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Dependent children under 18
Family additions are quoted individually — request your exact figure
Application Timeline
Your dates
Complete files are typically processed in 4–8 months.
Indicative — based on typical processing of 4–8 months for complete files. Government timelines are not guaranteed.
- 1
Month 1
Investment
Completion of the qualifying real estate purchase or bank deposit, with valuation certification.
- 2
Month 2
Residence permit
Issuance of the investor residence permit, a prerequisite for the citizenship application.
- 3
Months 3–6
Citizenship application
Submission and processing of the citizenship application by the relevant ministries.
- 4
Months 6–8
Citizenship & passport
Grant of citizenship and passport issuance.
Requirements
- Qualifying investment held for the required period
- Clean criminal record
- Valid passport and standard civil documentation
- No requirement to reside in Türkiye
Family Eligibility
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Dependent children under 18
What to Weigh
Honest advice includes the trade-offs. Before committing to the Turkey program, consider:
- Your capital stays invested — but real estate carries market and currency risk, and the official valuation process must be navigated carefully.
- Property must be independently appraised at $400,000+ at purchase; valuations are scrutinised by the government.
- Turkish citizenship does not provide visa-free access to the EU Schengen area or the US.
Does Turkey fit you?
Three questions, scored by the same engine as our Program Finder — with an honest answer, even when it isn't this program.
What are you ultimately looking for?
What investment level are you comfortable with?
How soon do you want this in hand?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell the property after three years?
Yes. After the three-year hold you may sell freely and keep your citizenship. Many clients treat the purchase as a medium-term investment in Istanbul's property market.
Does Turkey report my citizenship to my home country?
Turkey does not routinely notify other governments. Whether you must declare a second citizenship depends on your home country's laws — we advise on this during the engagement.
What does the E-2 eligibility mean?
Turkey holds an E-2 treaty with the US, so Turkish citizens can apply for an E-2 investor visa after establishing a qualifying US business — a common two-step strategy for US market access.
How long does Turkish citizenship by investment take?
Typically four to eight months end to end, including the property purchase, official valuation, residence permit, and citizenship decision. One visit for biometrics is required; residence in Turkey is not.
Alternatives
Related Programs
Families often weigh this program against these alternatives.
Residency
Residency
Portugal
Europe's best-known golden visa: EU residency with a minimal stay requirement and a potential path to citizenship after seven to ten years of legal residence.
- Min. investment
- €500,000+
- Time to approval
- 10–14 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Residency
Greece
One of Europe's most affordable golden visas: Greek residency through real estate, with no stay requirement to renew.
- Min. investment
- €250,000+
- Time to approval
- 3–6 months
- You receive
- Residence permit
Begin Your Journey
Request a private assessment to see whether the Turkey program is the right fit.
Turkey · 4–8 months