Türkiye, referred to as Turkey, is widely considered to be a top destination for those looking into citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes. For investors looking to optimise their global travel mobility, a Turkish passport offers visa free access to 136 countries with extended visa terms for the C-2 Schengen visa or the E-2 US business visa. The greater mobility is a highlight for investors coming from Pakistan, India, Russia, South Africa and some Middle Eastern countries.
The Turkish CBI programme also offers a version of the programme that’s remained relatively unchanged compared to its counterparts, especially those in Europe. CBI programmes within the EU are closed and property ownership no longer equates to citizenship. In the Caribbean, it has drastically increased its price with no attached real estate. Only the Turkish CBI programme remains.
Though the property investment route is the most well-known path to citizenship, it is not the only option. Turkey offers investors around the world 5 different routes.
- Property Investment
- Business Investment
- Opening & Depositing Funds into a Turkish Bank
- Investment Fund Shares
- Government Bond Shares
Property Investment Route
This is by far the most popular route as it accounts for 95% of foreign investment routes for obtaining Turkish citizenship. This route has the lowest investment fund requirement at $400,000 USD and can be achieved through multiple, officially valued properties, including choosing from residential, commercial, industrial property – provided the entire ownership history of the building is either by a natural Turkish citizen or company. Though, this is easily navigated with expertise of a company like Turkish Riviera Homes.
All routes require a 3-year no-sale period, but rental profit can be earned during this wait.
Unlike the other routes explored later in the article, property investments are a stronger, tangible asset that reliably sells. General real estate value sees a yearly increase between 10–25%.
Taxation on this property starts with the 4% purchase tax. Annual property taxes are quite low and rental income taxes vary depending on your personal tax bracket. However, if the investor holds onto the property for 5 years, any profit made on the resale is fully exempt from the capital gains tax. By waiting an additional 2 years on top of the mandatory no-sale hold period, investors can skip out on the capital gains tax once the property is sold.
Business Investment Route
Investors can also get a passport through the business investment route in the CBI programme. This programme requires an investment amount of $500,000 USD. The money under this route must be invested into the capital stock of a Turkish company. The only alternative is to own your own company that creates, at minimum, 50 job openings.
For every CBI route, there is a hold on investment funds for the 3 years. Upon expiry, investors may sell their shares.
Opening & Depositing Funds into a Turkish Bank
Arguably the most straightforward and fastest way to a Turkish citizenship, investors can choose to open a bank account with a BDDK (Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency) regulated bank. The minimum value for this CBI route is $500,000 USD, which is then converted into Turkish lira and put on a CBI 3-year hold period. After the investment goes through its verification by the government, the certificate of conformity (Uygunluk Belgesi) is issued and the citizenship application can continue.
Interest accrued during this time can be liquidated whilst the initial investment fund is digitally locked. It should be noted here that the interest amount is subject to withholding tax and is automatically taken before it reaches your account.
Investment Fund Shares Route
Like the business investment route, this pathway is an investment in investment funds specifically in real estate (GYF) or venture capital (GSYF). Once again, the CBI minimum investment is $500,000 USD and is subject to a 3-year hold period. This route offers a passive income for investors. The initial investment fund converts into Turkish lira but shortly after converts into a more stable asset like property if investing in a GYF.
Investors considering this approach should be aware of contractual obligations with their chosen GYM/GSYF. Investors are subject to annual management fees but also may be subject to 5 year or 7-year cycles that prohibit the sale of shares – potentially extending the no-sale period by a different party. Also, depending on the fund type, withholding tax could be applied.
Government Bond Purchase Route
Buying Turkish government bonds directly at the CBI criteria of $500,000 USD gives investors a tax-free approach to Turkish citizenship. Like the aforementioned methods, funds are converted into Turkish lira and put on the same 3-year holding period. Alongside the Certificate of Conformity, investors receive a DİBS, the actual government bond paper also required for this route of the Turkish citizenship process.
The CBI Routes Compared
Route Type |
Minimum $ Amount |
Hold Period Length |
Hold Period Profit Type |
Taxation |
Currency Risk |
| Property | $400,000 | 3 years | Rental | Property Taxes | Low – tied to hard asset |
| Business Investment | $500,000 | 3 years | Business | Business Taxes | Tied to Business |
| Bank Deposit | $500,000 | 3 years | Interest | Withholding Tax on interest | Higher – tied to TL value |
| Investment Fund | $500,000 | 3 years** | Depends on Fund Type | Variable | Mixed |
| Government Bonds | $500,000 | 3 years | Interest | No tax | Higher – tied to TL value |
**Depends on the contract.
Pathway to Turkish Citizenship via the CBI Programme
- Get in Touch with Turkish Riviera Homes and choose your CBI route: Take the time to properly research and decide what best suits you and any family that comes along. Investors with spouses and children under 18 can apply for citizenship for them as well. Getting in touch with our team can help explain the pros and cons of each option tailored to you.
- Prepare Documentation: Regardless of pathway, a Turkish bank account and related documents need to be created. For those with documents not already in Turkish will need it translated and apostilled. While making the trip to Turkey is helpful, there is always the option of getting a Power of Attorney (PoA) signed, notarized and then mailed to your lawyer in Turkey.
For those in Pakistan for example, going to the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad or the Consulate in Karachi can speed up the process by having documents apostilled and even a PoA created in Turkish. Translated documents would need to go through the Pakistani MoFA for translation services and is strongly recommended to have done.
Biometrics required for later in the process can also be completed at the Turkish Embassy or Turkish Consulate.
- Purchase! Whether its property, a business, funds or bonds, a purchase must be made and verified before the citizenship application can continue. Title Deeds (Tapu), Certificate of Conformity, or even a DİBS are required though the exact paperwork will be outlined to you as the application progresses.
- Getting Residency & Citizenship Application: With aforementioned documentation received, getting residency permit (İkamet) and completing the citizenship applications can be done.
- Waiting Period: Every citizenship application goes through a wait period as it is being verified. You can track your application progress online through the e-Devlet portal. The first e-devlet password is created at any Turkish PTT but again, can be done through the lawyer via the PoA. As of 2026, application process time is unknown, but does not require you to remain in the country while you wait.
- Passport in Hand: Your passport is mailed to your address if you choose to remain in Turkey. For those living outside the country, the passport can be mailed abroad, but will be sent to either the Turkish Embassy or Consulate depending on which was stated in your application.
Turkish Riviera Home’s Insight on the CBI Programme
The Turkish citizenship-by-investment programme offers a variety of pathways to a second citizenship for investors. However, real estate investment continues to be the most pursued. For $100,000 USD less, rental profit and the potential to get capital gains tax exemption by holding onto the property for 5 years, there are ample benefits for investors choosing this road.
Investors looking for a secondary passport without the immediate need for a place to stay, may find the other CBI pathways more attractive. Other pathways do also allow investors to buy properties at lower prices and sell sooner than the 3-year holding period. Regardless of the pathway, Turkish Riviera Homes can help investors navigate through the real estate investment process or just buying and selling properties throughout Turkey.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different Turkish Citizenship-by-Investment routes?
Investors can get Turkish citizenship through one of 5 CBI routes: property, business, Turkish bank deposit, investment fund, or government bonds.
- Is the Citizenship-by-Investment amount the same for all 5 routes?
No, only the property investment route has a minimum investment value of $400,000 USD. All other options start at $500,000 USD.
- Do you have to be present for all aspects of the CBI programme?
Your team at Turkish Riviera Homes, including your lawyer in Turkey, will let you know what absolutely needs to be done in person. Otherwise, all the other paperwork and application process can be done on your behalf through a power of attorney once it is received in the mail. Getting a POA done at the Turkish Embassy (or Consulate) in your current country ensures validity as it is done in Turkish.
- How can funds be legally transferred for the CBI programme?
Foreign funds for the CBI programme must be transferred into the investor’s Turkish bank account then the money is then exchanged from the foreign currency to the Central bank treasure currency that puts it into Turkish Lira. The investor then gets another document known as the DAP (foreign currency exchange) document that allows the investor to continue their title deed application, POA, statement of identity information form and other required CBI programme documents.
