In short, everything related to the issue of obtaining Turkish citizenship by owning a property.
What are the conditions, procedures and papers required?
Step by step, Basa Homes Real Estate will be with you in this article.
Many investors, when owning a property in Turkey, aim to obtain its citizenship, and thus they kill two birds with one stone: the property and the citizenship. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive definition of everything related to this important topic, including issues and clarifications, such as steps, conditions, stages, and so on.
Of course, foreign individuals can obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property in Türkiye. In 2018, Turkey amended its citizenship law to allow foreign investors to become Turkish citizens through several investment options, including real estate investment. Under current regulations, foreign investors who own a property worth at least $400,000 (or its equivalent in Turkish lira) in Turkey are eligible to apply for Turkish citizenship provided they keep the purchased property for a period of at least three years. In addition to purchasing property, the applicant must meet certain criteria such as not having a criminal record or court rulings. After studying the application and once it is approved, Foreign investors can obtain Turkish citizenship for themselves, their spouses, and their children under the age of 18. The process takes approximately six months to complete. Owning a property in Turkey is an important option for foreigners looking to obtain Turkish citizenship, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements and are willing to adhere to the necessary investment requirements.
Details of the program for purchasing a property and obtaining Turkish citizenship:
The Turkish government has launched a program called “Turkish Citizenship by Investment Program,” which allows foreigners to obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing real estate in Turkey. However, investors are required to purchase real estate worth at least $400,000, whether residential or commercial, new or previously owned. The transaction also needs to be registered in the Tapu (Land Registry Office) and carried out in Turkish Lira or foreign currency through a Turkish bank. After purchasing and registering the property and meeting the conditions, investors can apply for Turkish citizenship through the General Directorate of Immigration Management, Provide the necessary documents, such as passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if any), and criminal record certificate. Turkish authorities examine the investor’s file to ensure there are no criminal records or security concerns, a process that takes about 90 days. Successful applicants are then granted Turkish citizenship, which means they can obtain a Turkish passport with their spouses and children under the age of 18. It is important to note that the investor is required to hold the property for a period of no less than three years to be eligible for Turkish citizenship.
Conditions for obtaining Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property
Türkiye offers several paths for foreigners to obtain Turkish citizenship, one of which is through purchasing real estate. The Turkish government has made it easier for foreign investors to obtain Turkish citizenship by investing in the country’s economy. The most important conditions for obtaining Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property are:
The property must have a minimum value of 400,000 US dollars, as determined by the Turkish government’s evaluation system.
The purchase must be made in cash or through a bank transfer from the investor’s private account outside Turkey to the seller’s account in Türkiye.
Keep the property for a period of no less than three years from the date of purchase.
Investors are required to comply with this condition by signing a pledge document. The property must not be located in prohibited military or strategic areas.
The investor must have a valid residence permit at the time of submitting the application. The investor can obtain a residence permit through the Immigration Department in Türkiye.
The investor must not have a criminal record, whether in Türkiye or in his home country.
The investor must have a clear title to the property.
Once these conditions are met, the investor can apply for Turkish citizenship. The investor, his wife, and any children under the age of 18 can obtain citizenship by purchasing the property. In addition to the above conditions, it should be noted that the Turkish government may also request additional documents during the application process, such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, and passport. Therefore, dealing with a professional company in these services saves a lot of effort and time.
Documents required to purchase a property and obtain Turkish citizenship:
To buy a property in Türkiye and obtain Turkish citizenship, the investor needs to submit the following documents:
Title deed (Tapu) and a valid passport, translated and certified by a notary.
Property Valuation Report: This report provides an estimate of the value of the property and is required for tax purposes.
Payment receipts for the purchase of the property, including any taxes or fees paid.
A valid residence permit to apply for citizenship.
An unedited document from the country of residence, translated and certified by a notary public.
Marriage certificate If you are married, you will need to provide a marriage certificate, also translated and notarized.
DASK earthquake insurance for each apartment.
Apartment address page, which contains the documents required for naturalization when purchasing real estate in Türkiye.
4 biometric personal photos for each eligible individual. A translated and certified birth certificate for each family member included in the citizenship application.
Procedures for obtaining Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property:
To obtain Turkish citizenship by purchasing a property, several operational procedures must be followed. The investor must find a suitable property worth at least $400,000 inside Türkiye. Then complete the purchase process, which includes signing the sales contract, obtaining the title deed, and paying the necessary fees and taxes. After that, he or she is required to obtain a residence permit to remain in the country for an extended period while the citizenship application is processed. Next, apply for Turkish citizenship by submitting several documents, including proof of purchase of your property, residence permit, your passport, and more. After submitting the application, approval is awaited from the Turkish government, which usually takes about 3 to 6 months. It is noteworthy that it is necessary to follow all the necessary steps, submit all the required documents, and ensure that they comply with the conditions to ensure that the process proceeds to its end without any complications or obstacles.
Stages of naturalization in Turkey by purchasing a property and the expected duration. Foreigners who own real estate in Turkey can apply for citizenship through investment. The process is divided into several stages, which we mention as follows:
The first stage: This is the stage of registering and approving the application. The stages of applying for Turkish citizenship begin from the date of registering the initial application and approving it with the Immigration Department, after the initial interview. Some of the papers required for submission differ depending on the applicant’s condition, while some of the basic papers are the same. The papers are submitted to the Civil Registration Department of the city in which the applicant resides, and are subject to scrutiny and review before being sent to the General Civil Registry Directorate in Ankara.
The third stage: Initial review of the file, which is concerned with the file reaching the General Directorate in the capital, and being subject to scrutiny and review of all its papers, before sending it to the relevant authorities specialized in conducting an extensive search for the applicant and those who are qualified with him.
The fourth stage: comprehensive and extensive auditing and archiving, which is the stage of examination, research and auditing. It is considered the most important stage among the stages of Turkish citizenship, as it is one of the critical stages for file owners, as an extensive search for the file owner is carried out in the security, foreign, finance and intelligence directorates…, and in the event Any party objects to the person concerned or any violation appears against him; The application may be frozen and the file rejected.
The sixth stage: The final decision, which is the penultimate stage, which means that the citizenship application has reached the responsible authority and is awaiting its signature to grant the file holder the right to citizenship.
The seventh stage: reporting the result through the entity through which the application was submitted, which is the final stage. In it, the person concerned is informed by a congratulatory letter that the file holder has become a Turkish citizen, enjoys full citizenship rights, and that he must contact the Civil Administration to receive the naturalization decision. After receiving the naturalization decision; The Turkish ID is applied for at the Civil Registry to which he belongs, and he can also obtain a Turkish passport.
What are the advantages of the Turkish citizenship program by purchasing a property?
The Turkish citizenship program by purchasing a property offers many advantages to foreign investors, the most important of which are:
Visa-free travel: Turkish citizenship provides access without a prior visa upon arrival to 62 countries around the world, 45 countries with a visa on arrival, and 5 countries with an electronic visa.
Access to Healthcare and Education: As a Turkish citizen, foreign investors and their families have access to the country’s public healthcare and education system.
Business Opportunities: Turkey is a center for business and trade, and Turkish citizenship provides foreign investors with the opportunity to invest or start a business in the country.
Benefiting from economic facilities inside and outside Türkiye.
Nomination and election rights.
Citizenship for the whole family: Turkish Citizenship by Investment allows foreign investors to apply for citizenship for themselves, their spouse and children under 18 years of age
The best cities in Türkiye to buy a property suitable for Turkish citizenship:
Many cities in Türkiye offer excellent options for purchasing property for citizenship purposes. Istanbul is the most important city in Türkiye and the economic capital, and is famous for its ancient history, diverse culture, and strategic location. Antalya, located on the Mediterranean coast, is also a popular tourist destination and a thriving real estate market. Ankara, the capital, offers wide ownership options at reasonable prices. In addition, the city of Bursa, located in the Marmara region, with its rich history, beautiful gardens, and thermal baths, has become an important center for real estate ownership accompanied by a growing economy .There is Izmir, a vibrant international destination characterized by a strong economy, thriving real estate market, beautiful nature and historical sites. We can say that the best city to buy property for citizenship purposes depends on personal preferences and investment goals. Therefore, it is important to conduct thorough research and work with a professional real estate agent for a successful investment.