Affordable dual citizenship fast track. $400K property for Turkish passport in 6-12 months (3-year hold). Istanbul gateway, Europe-Asia bridge, US E-2 visa eligible.
Affordable passport with strategic transcontinental access
Turkey's Citizenship by Investment program offers Turkish passport in 6-12 months through $400,000 property purchase (3-year hold) or $500,000 bank deposit/investment funds/private pension. As a transcontinental nation bridging Europe and Asia, Turkey provides strategic access to both continents, Silk Road markets, and Middle East.
CRITICAL 2026 REALITY: Over 1,000 neighborhoods across Turkey (many in Istanbul, Antalya) are now CLOSED to new foreign residents. You can still purchase property in these areas for citizenship qualification, but CANNOT legally reside there or obtain residency permit using that address. Separate "open neighborhoods" required for actual residence.
The program's main attraction is affordability ($400K minimum vs EU $500K-$2M) and fast processing (6-12 months to passport vs years EU). Turkish passport provides visa-free access to 110+ countries including Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Qatar, though NOT EU Schengen (requires visa). Dual citizenship allowed—keep original passport. US E-2 Investor Visa eligible (requires 3-year Turkey domicile post-citizenship per 2023 US rules).
Citizenship AND residency options clearly distinguished
Real estate for Turkish citizenship
Fixed deposit for citizenship
Pension contribution for citizenship (popular 2026)
REIF or VCF shares for citizenship
Turkish sovereign debt for citizenship
Property for 1-year renewable residence (raised 2024)
Major restriction affecting foreign residents:
Over 1,000 neighborhoods across Turkey are now officially CLOSED to new foreign residents to prevent overcrowding and preserve local character:
Impact on Citizenship vs Residency:
Verification Required: Before purchasing for residency, verify neighborhood is "open" to foreign residents via Turkish Immigration website or local municipality. Property agents should confirm status but verify independently.
Strategy: If seeking citizenship ($400K), closed neighborhoods OK (often better locations). If seeking residency only ($200K), must carefully select open neighborhoods (limits options significantly).
2026 requirement for combining properties to reach $400K:
If purchasing MULTIPLE properties to reach $400,000 citizenship threshold (e.g., two $200K apartments), they MUST all be included in a SINGLE preliminary sales agreement if title deeds not yet issued:
Workaround: If title deeds already issued (existing properties), can purchase separately then submit together for citizenship application. Single contract rule applies mainly to off-plan/under-construction purchases.
Why investors choose Turkish passport
$400K minimum significantly lower than EU programs ($500K-$2M Portugal/Greece/Malta). Cheapest passport-granting program globally alongside Caribbean islands. Istanbul property market offers value opportunities. Budget-friendly second citizenship access.
Turkish passport issued 6-12 months from complete application (Council of Ministers approval, Official Gazette publication). Among fastest citizenship programs globally. Much quicker than EU naturalization (5-10 years). Digital systems streamline process. Can relocate family quickly.
Bridge between Europe and Asia. Istanbul literally straddles two continents. Access to EU markets, Middle East, Central Asia, Silk Road. Gateway to 1.5 billion people. Direct flights globally. Bosphorus strait geographic control. Eurasian trade hub.
Access to Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Qatar. GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE). South America. Balkan/CIS countries. Turkey-UK E-visa available. NOT EU Schengen (requires visa) - weaker than EU passports but good Asia/ME access.
Turkish citizens qualify for US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa (2-5 year renewable US residence through US business investment). CRITICAL 2023 US RULE: Must be "domiciled" (living) in Turkey 3+ years POST-citizenship before E-2 eligible. Cannot get citizenship then immediately apply E-2. Strategic long-term US access pathway.
Keep original passport - no renunciation required. Multiple passports valuable for travel flexibility, tax planning, geopolitical diversification. Turkey recognizes dual/multiple nationality. Strategic backup passport for political/economic insurance.
15+ million population. Major economic hub ($300B+ GDP). Growing tech sector, startups, e-commerce. Tourism capital (15M+ visitors annually). Finance center. Mature real estate market. Cultural richness (Byzantine, Ottoman heritage). Cost of living 60% lower than Western Europe.
Istanbul rental yields 4-7% gross. $400K buys quality apartment in good areas. Beyoğlu, Beşiktaş, Kadıköy historically popular (now many closed to foreign residents). Long-term appreciation potential despite volatility. Freehold ownership for foreigners. Can sell after 3-year hold, keep citizenship.
Turkey does NOT tax worldwide income unless you spend 183+ days/year in country (become tax resident). Citizenship does NOT automatically trigger worldwide tax. Can hold Turkish passport, live elsewhere, avoid Turkish taxation. Perfect for global investors wanting passport without tax complications.
Turkey's Position:
Best for:
NOT ideal for:
From property purchase to Turkish passport
Step 1: Property Selection & Purchase (2-4 weeks)
Step 2: Document Preparation (2-3 weeks)
Step 3: Citizenship Application Submission
Step 4: Review & Approval (4-10 months)
Step 5: Turkish ID Card & Passport (2-4 weeks)
Turkey citizenship includes:
Cost per Family Member:
Note: More restrictive than some programs. Malta MPRP includes parents/grandparents. UAE Golden Visa includes unlimited age children + parents. Turkey focuses on nuclear family only (spouse + minor children).
Total investment required for Turkish citizenship
| Cost Component | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Property Investment (minimum) | $400,000 |
| Property Transfer Tax (4%) | $16,000 |
| Real Estate Agent (2-3%) | $8,000-$12,000 |
| Independent Valuation Report | $500-$1,000 |
| Legal Fees (property + citizenship) | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Translation & Apostille Services | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Citizenship Application Fees (family of 4) | $1,200-$2,000 |
| Passport Issuance (4 people) | $800-$1,200 |
| Misc (notary, courier, police clearance) | $500-$1,000 |
Year 1 Total: $433,000-$447,000 USD
Ongoing Annual Costs (3-year hold period):
Return on Investment Potential:
Compare to EU Alternatives:
Turkey advantage: Faster passport (6-12 months vs years), cheaper than Portugal/Malta, no language requirement for citizenship (vs Greek/Portuguese). Turkey disadvantage: NOT Schengen (EU visa required), weaker passport (110 vs 190+), emerging market volatility.
CIVITAS specializes in Turkey citizenship by investment through Istanbul property selection, open/closed neighborhood navigation, and complete application management from purchase to Turkish passport issuance. Expert 2026 guidance on single contract rule, valuation requirements, and US E-2 visa pathway.