What is the Minimum Investment for Citizenship?

Why Investors Choose Turkish Citizenship

The «Turkish Citizenship by Investment» program has been operating since 2017 and has since become one of the most sought-after migration routes in the world. The reason is simple: the investor gains a full passport without the need to live in the country, learn the language, or renounce their first citizenship. And after three years, the invested funds can be fully recovered—for example, by selling the property. No European program offers this.

At the same time, the entry threshold remains one of the most affordable among all “golden passports.” However, since 2022, the minimum amount has changed—and many still rely on outdated figures. Let’s figure out how much money you really need to obtain Turkish citizenship through investment in 2025.

Minimum Real Estate Investment: $400,000

The main and most popular route is purchasing real estate. Since June 12, 2022, the minimum threshold is 400,000 US dollars. Before that date, the bar was twice as low—$250,000—but the Turkish government raised it to enhance the program’s value and increase capital inflow into the economy.

What you need to know about the “real estate” route:

• You can buy one property or several. The key is that their total cadastral value (the one in the official appraiser’s report) must be at least $400,000. If the appraiser assesses the property below the price you declared, the threshold will not be considered met.
• Property type is not limited: apartment, villa, commercial space, land plot for construction—any property registered in the cadastre (Tapu) is suitable.
• Obligation to hold for three years. A note prohibiting sale for three years is entered in the Tapu. This requirement is state-controlled and cannot be violated—otherwise, citizenship will be annulled.
• Appraisal only from an accredited expert. An independent licensed appraiser determines the market value of the property. This figure appears in the documents for the immigration office.

Practical tip: budget a small “cushion” above $400,000—around $5,000–10,000. This protects against situations where the appraiser calculates a slightly lower value than the declared price, as well as against exchange rate fluctuations of the Turkish lira at the time of the transaction.

Alternative Routes: from $500,000

Real estate is not the only option. For those who prefer not to involve themselves with the purchase and subsequent sale of a property, four other options are available. Their common drawback is a higher entry threshold: $500,000.

1. Bank deposit. Place $500,000 in a Turkish bank account and keep it there for at least three years. Funds can be held in dollars or euros—currency risk is minimal.
2. Government bonds. Purchase Turkish government bonds worth $500,000. The condition is to hold them for no less than three years. The yield on these securities has recently reached 6–8% per annum in dollar terms.
3. Investment fund units. Invest $500,000 in units of a real estate investment fund (REIT) or a venture capital fund approved by the Capital Markets Board of Turkey. The holding period is the same three years.
4. Job creation. Start a business that provides employment to at least 50 Turkish citizens. This route suits entrepreneurs who were already planning commercial activity in the country.

All five routes—real estate, deposit, bonds, funds, and job creation—are official and enshrined in the Turkish Citizenship Law (No. 5901) and Presidential Decree No. 5042.

Additional Costs: What’s Beyond the Minimum Amount

In addition to the investment asset itself, the applicant incurs mandatory associated costs. It is important to budget for these in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises during the process.

• Property transfer tax (Tapu Vergisi): 4% of the property’s cadastral value. For $400,000 this is $16,000.
• Independent appraiser services: from $500 to $1,500 depending on the complexity of the property.
• Legal support: from $5,000 to $10,000. Includes verification of the transaction’s legality, document preparation, interaction with the migration office and the cadastre.
• Government fees: for processing the citizenship application, passport issuance, ID card—around $600–800 for the whole family.
• Notarial services and translations: notarization of the sale-purchase agreement, translation of passports and certificates into Turkish with notarial certification—around $300–500.
• Health insurance: mandatory for obtaining a residence permit during the application review period—starting from $200 per person.

Final calculation for the real estate route: $400,000 (property) + ~$25,000 (taxes and services) = approximately $425,000 total entry costs. For alternative routes, additional fees are significantly lower—typically no more than $10,000–12,000.

Who Can Participate and Who Is Included in the Application

The program is open to citizens of most countries worldwide. Investor requirements are minimal:

• Age 18 and older.
• No criminal record (a certificate from the country of origin may be required).
• Confirmation of legal origin of the invested funds.
• Not on sanctions lists or lists of persons undesirable for obtaining Turkish citizenship (determined by Presidential Decree No. 6302).

Citizenship automatically extends to:

• Spouse of the investor (official marriage).
• Children under 18. Adult children, unfortunately, are not included in the application and must obtain citizenship independently.

There is no requirement to pass exams in Turkish language, history, or culture. There is also no requirement for prior residence in the country—you can apply immediately after registering property rights and obtaining a residence permit.

How the Process Works: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Property selection and due diligence. Find a property that will appraise at $400,000+. The lawyer verifies the title’s cleanliness (absence of encumbrances, seizures, disputes).
2. Appraisal and contract. An accredited appraiser prepares a report. After that, a notarized sale-purchase agreement is signed.
3. Payment and Tapu registration. Funds are transferred to the seller, and the transfer of ownership is registered in the cadastre. A three-year restriction on sale is entered in the Tapu.
4. Obtaining a residence permit. Within a month after receiving the Tapu, the investor and family members obtain a short-term residence permit.
5. Submitting the citizenship application. Documents are sent to the Directorate of Population and Citizenship Affairs. The package includes: Tapu, appraiser’s report, bank statements of the fund transfer, passports, marriage and birth certificates, and criminal record certificates.
6. Processing and issuance of passport. The process takes from 3 to 12 months—according to various sources. After approval, the investor and their family receive Turkish identity cards and passports.

What the Turkish Passport Gives: Key Advantages

• Visa-free entry to 120+ countries, including Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and most Latin American states. With an electronic visa—access to the Schengen Area (up to 90 days).
• E-2 visa to the USA. Turkish citizens have the right to apply for an E-2 investor visa to the USA, which allows the whole family to live, work, and do business in America. This is a unique advantage among countries with investment programs.
• B-1/B-2 visa to the USA for 10 years. Turkish citizens can obtain a multiple-entry tourist and business visa to the USA valid for up to 10 years.
• Retention of first citizenship. Turkey recognizes dual citizenship—there is no need to renounce your original passport.
• Tax flexibility. Turkey taxes residents on worldwide income, but if you do not live in the country for more than 183 days a year, taxes are paid only on income earned within Turkish territory.
• Return of investment after 3 years. After the restriction is lifted, the property can be sold—and with high probability at a higher price than purchased, given the annual growth of the Turkish real estate market of 15–25%.

Conclusion: So How Much Money Is Really Needed?

The minimum investment to obtain Turkish citizenship is $400,000 in real estate or $500,000 via alternative routes. Including taxes, fees, and legal support, the real “turnkey” budget for the real estate route is around $425,000–430,000. For the deposit or fund route—about $510,000–512,000.

Turkey remains one of the few countries where the investor does not lose their money irretrievably: the asset remains in their ownership, works and generates potential income, and can be sold after three years. Combined with visa-free travel, the possibility of obtaining an E-2 visa to the USA, and the absence of residency requirements—this is one of the most pragmatic “golden passports” on the market in 2025.